For the last couple of weeks I felt all out of sorts, frustrated with my lack of focus and vision. Then I realized that I was unclear about my life purpose. As soon as I realized that I was unsure of my life purpose a myriad of signs to find my purpose surrounded me. Within two days I came across two articles about how to find your purpose, along with spontaneous quotes about life purpose, and even a TV show talking about life purpose (and I rarely sit down to watch television!).
One of the articles I found was from The Oprah Magazine, written in 2009! Oprah talked about “falling off the wagon” for weight loss once again. She realized this happened because she stopped taking care of herself. She stopped meditating and writing in her gratitude journal, she stopped exercising and even long baths and in exchange gained weight, felt out of balance, and experienced less joy.
Her story really resonated with me. I too had stopped writing in my gratitude journal and had cut back on my moments of peaceful reflection. The sad fact was I couldn’t remember where I had put my journal or what it looked like because it had been nearly two years since I touched it. Then one day I suddenly felt the urge to work on a self-help book I hadn’t written for nearly two years. As I was looking for my writing materials, I came across my gratitude journal! I excitedly read everything I had written. I felt a surge of happiness when I found an insight I had written two years ago. It said, “My mission is never ending. I have a life purpose to serve and help people. It’s an ongoing bunch of steps.” In an instant I felt joy. At the end of each day I sit in peaceful reflection of my day. Then I use my gratitude journal to record at least five things that I have to be grateful for that occurred in my day. It’s amazing since doing my gratitude journal I feel lighter, happier, and connected to my center.
I believe that if you are reading this you too were meant to come across this. I hope that you will take something from what I learned and get closer to your center with peace & joy. –Sara Holliday MFT, CPT
.