By Lizzie Card
Two years ago I was sitting in a high level accounting class listening to my professor drone on about tax law. I don’t remember much about this moment except for the realization that I felt completely purposeless in my life. A few years prior, I had been living in Argentina, teaching people about my beliefs and trying to help them in any way possible. I spent every day for eighteen months waking up in a tiny apartment in the middle of nowhere and working twelve hour days without pay. It was the happiest time of my life.
What had happened since then? Where had that feeling of fulfillment, gratification, and pure joy gone? What was my purpose then and what is it now? These are the questions that I asked myself as I sat in that dark accounting classroom and stared blankly at the screen.
“Purpose refers to your chosen set of life aims that guides your actions and gives meaning to life. Purpose is both an anchor—securing against life’s storms and distractions, and a compass—directing you toward what matters most.”
Questions about purpose can often creep up on you. They can come in any moment, and if we aren’t prepared for them, they can be profound enough to shake us out of our daily methodic rhythms. Some of these questions could look like, “What is the meaning of life?” or, “What should I do to live a fulfilling and meaningful life?” and finally, “Why am I here?” Interestingly, these questions are asking about two different types of purpose: the purpose of life and the purpose within life. When I lived in Argentina, I was mostly working with individuals to answer the former of the two questions. Using theology and philosophy, I worked with families to help them better grasp the meaning of life. However, while sitting in my accounting class, I was most concerned with my purpose within life.
Fast forward a few months and I am sitting in a positive psychology class learning about purpose. I learned that purpose is a personally-derived, authentic set of life aims that guides one’s behavior, pulls one into the future, and gives meaning to life. I learned from great philosophers like Neitzsche that “Those who have a why to live for, can bear with almost any how,” and from Viktor Frankl that, “There is nothing in the world...that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one’s life.” I also learned the very real physiological benefits of having a stronger sense of purpose, such as:
Increased happiness
An extended life
Increased immune functioning
Better cardiovascular functioning
Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Slowed cognitive decline
I couldn’t believe it. Along with all the benefits I had already experienced, a strong purpose would help me in so many diverse ways.
Finally, I learned that I need to stop waiting and start creating. Right now I am sitting here, writing this post to all of you. After learning about purpose, I co-founded a non-profit organization that seeks to help Venezuelan refugee women start and grow small businesses. I have traveled to South America multiple times to oversee operations and have recently sold this company to a larger organization who will help us eventually aid thousands of impoverished people gain access to business resources. I have never felt so much purpose in my life. Everything I do, from the time I wake up until the moment I lie down at night, seems to fulfill the overarching purpose of my life—the same one I wrote down in my positive psychology class.
You don’t have to change your life to start creating your purpose. You just have to be intentional about the things you are doing and make sure that they align with your overarching goals of who you want to become today, tomorrow, and forever.
Find out how to develop your own purpose here.