What is a unique purpose?
All people on Earth have their own unique purpose in life, their own truly meaningful task for which they have a natural born talent. You can acquire additional skills and opportunities during your life in order to live out your purpose. Every person is unique.
According to C.G. Jung, a pioneer in psychology, adult life consists of the continuous pursuit of maturity and becoming one’s own self. Jung calls this pursuit individuation. A human being has an inner will to seek the meaning of life and to move towards a greater and a more genuine awareness. This can be consciously suppressed for years, or it can be ignored during a life spent in the hustle and bustle trap, but it is always seeking an outlet.
A purpose is not a mere occupation or profession – it is much more. Neither is a meaningful purpose a destination. Purpose is the answer to the question “why?” Vision is the answer to the question “how?” Concrete goals and objectives arise from a meaningful purpose. Once you have found out what your purpose is, you can check whether your own goals and objectives are consistent with it. And if needed, you can set new, exciting goals that fulfill your purpose.
Purpose never comes from the outside. You need to find it yourself, by gaining insight into it. No one, not even your parents for example, can impose a meaningful purpose on you from the outside. It is something that you feel as your own, a calling of sorts, something creates the sense that you are giving something to the community.
How you can find your unique purpose?
One of the modern human being’s biggest problems is that in the middle of the hustle and bustle of life, he loses orientation. He loses understanding of where he is headed and why. He cannot slow down and listen to himself and his real needs. You may need to take a 2-3 day retreat. A retreat means withdrawing into quietude. Throughout history, Jesus, prophets and other messengers have regularly sought solitude. It has helped them maintain their orientation. A retreat helps you understand what is essential in life and where you are heading.
Accordingly, seek a tranquil place for a few days, take pen and paper with you. Nothing else. Do not take anything to read with you. Keep your mobile phone off. Don’t watch TV or listen to music. It is a total no-info diet.
During your retreat, ponder over your life. What are you prioritizing now and what do you want to prioritize in the future? Is this the road you want to continue? Do you want to make changes? What changes? Is there another road you can take? Furthermore, answer these three empowering questions:
- Which things or tasks do I enjoy most?
- What would I do if I could do anything without failing?
- What would I do if I learned I had only six months to live?
So, please take your calendar and book your retreat. You will find clarity and insightful answers to these three questions.
Don’t look for happiness; look for purpose
