Three things to move forward in life and live with purpose

Image by Joe from Pixabay

Quite often, what we most seem to struggle with is feeling that we’re embraced by a group of like-minded or like-spirited individuals who really want the best for us (without imposing what their idea of “the best for us” is). This can include members of our family, friends or work community.

Typically, the higher up in life we go, the more alone we feel because not everybody can meet us where we’re at — and not always for any fault as such, it’s simply that not all of “our people” are on the same wavelength as we are. What can happen to us is that we hold ourselves back so as not to go too far from them, but does that really help us achieve what we’ve set out to achieve in life? How do we create a sense of security amidst the doubts that this can stir up in us?

In Buddhism it is said there are three things that will save you:

1. Take refuge in the community of conscious beings,
2. Take refuge in your higher purpose,
3. Take refuge in transcendence.
If you do this, your life will be meaningful.

This first part implies looking within, to get clear on who you are. If you don’t take that time for yourself, you run the risk of spinning your wheels and going nowhere fast, which doesn’t help you or the people around you.

Then, you need to get clear on who is actively encouraging you and who may not be — not to judge the latter, but to discern what you share with them in order to protect that which you seek to create, at least until such time as it’s more established and you feel strong about yourself and what you’re doing. You want people who add energetically to what you’re creating, not subtract from it somehow.

“The purpose of life is to discover your gift.
The work of life is to develop it.
The meaning of life is to give your gift away.”

Once you’re clear on what your higher purpose is, you can explore how you can transcend (read “overcome”) yourself to become the person who can live that purpose. 

Two questions to help you with this part:

  • Where are you now and where do you want to be?
  • Who are you now and who do you need to be to live that purpose?

If you’re struggling with any of these aspects, let’s talk. It’ll be a pleasure to help you.

If you’d rather explore it by yourself first, here’s a fun book I created to help you in that process.

Most of all, I wish you a kind and enlightening journey.