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Article: Life's Purpose

Someone asked:

1. Why is it important to know your Life's Purpose?
2. What value does that bring to a person's every day life?
3. Can a person's Life Purpose change?
4. How do you know if it has changed?
5. Can a person be full even if they don't have a Life's Purpose?

Sonnie's response:

1. Life purpose is where we get the "drive" to pursue what we want to be, the "strength" that will keep us focused in the midst of life "storms". It is also the "force" that will keep us motivated even though there is apparent failure.

Life purpose is also called calling or destiny. An element of "Spiritual Intelligence" is needed to understand a person's purpose. An individual can determine his purpose in life thru: (1) his/her relationship with the divine. Jer. 29:11 said "for I know the plans I have for you...." (2) Taking up an inventory of the "genetically encoded" abilities (unlike "learned" abilities that are acquired thru education/training, genetically encoded abilities are inborn though training can enhance these gifts). And (3) by recognizing a person’s desire in the domain of "becoming" what.

2. "If the shoe does not fit, it hurts".

Imbedded in our heart and in connection with the Divine, we can discover our “place”-- It will answer who we are, where we should be and doing what.

3 & 4. A purpose in life is not necessarily a job, and job change is not a changed of purpose. A purpose in life revolves around "becoming the who” (person) and the "do/job" emanates from the "who".

Additional reading

5. Everyone has a life purpose, and it is possible that one is not in sync with his calling. If fullness is defined on material and economic gain, yes it is possible to be full outside ones calling. But fullness involves peace, satisfaction and joy that emanates from within.

Severo E. Santos, also known as "Sonnie", is a Human Resource Generalist, Motivational & Self Help Resource Person, Trainer, Volunteer Worker and e-group Moderator. Sonnie has authored several anecdotes on work issues and career development in the context of life principles. You can contact Sonnie by email at skopun@gmail.com

Copyright © sonnie’s.porch, 2006 All rights reserved.

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder and author of this article.

posted by ASKSonnie @ Thursday, April 21, 2005