Over the past few months, I’ve thought more and more about why I actually want to write when the odds of traditional success are severely stacked against me. As books like the incredible Man’s Search for Meaning will tell you, an individual with a clear purpose in life can overcome anything in pursuit of their dream…even the Holocaust (I really can’t recommend this book enough if you haven’t read it).
Understanding the power of purpose, I have tried to put together my life’s “why”…which is a difficult task! With the help of Simon Sinek and my friend, Allie Stark, here’s my first take on it:
To connect with others to help them find more acceptance, belonging, and joy in their lives. Or to help lift them up if I’m being quick about it.
Awesome! Tick that off the list. Life purpose all figured out. So…what do I do with this?
Obviously I can continue to write stories that lift people up…but actually work harder at sharing them with the world, rather than just storing them on Google Drive and promising to do something with them “someday.”
And this blog is another good way to connect with others. Maybe a story of an inspirational person I meet or one of my ramblings will create a spark within someone that will help them find more acceptance, belonging, or joy within their lives.
So maybe I should actually let people outside of a few friends and family know that I am doing this! I don’t think I’m quite ready to click the “share to Facebook” link that will pop up when I publish this post, but hopefully soon.
Now is there something else I could do to help further my purpose beyond writing? Something related to my sales job at an education technology company? Or a volunteer opportunity? Or maybe create an event like a talent show? Time to brainstorm! Anyway, that’s where I am right now.