Living a meaningful life
Steps to living your life on purpose
The world was not left to us by our parents. It was lent to us by our children. African proverb.
What would your life be, about work and leisure, if you accepted that you have nothing to lose? Nothing to lose but everything to gain, by understanding who you are and living your life to the full? As you grow older, consider the present as the time to rediscover the intensity of thoughts and dreams of your youth. Recall and reflect your earlier years - what was important to you, what did you love doing, and who were the important people in your life. This reflection requires time, and interest, in uncovering and exploring these memories and activities. Be mindful that words like ‘passion’, ‘complete fulfilment’ and ‘a sense of mission’ may arise during this time!
Make a start on reflection
Think of your inheritance at birth and in your early years – describe your unique abilities, gifts and talents that you demonstrated and even learned to become masterful at. Acknowledge that you may have been discouraged by the need to fit in with others. But now it is time to explore and seek those gifts again.
What about revisiting your childhood and adolescence/early adulthood for some clues about finding out who you are. Set some time aside to ‘tour’ your personal previous life and experiences. Note down these experiences in a journal for further reflection later.
What do I have to do to start?
Ask yourself some questions and follow through on the suggestions.
1. What was your happiest age or most memorable phase of your life?
Explore the reasons for this happiness. Perhaps it was the people who you were close to at this time, making the phase a shared experience. Perhaps it was a memorable time, starting high school or succeeding in sports or crafts? Use photos and other people’s memories for stories – look for expressions in photos, both yours and others; perhaps close family and friends. Take care to staying on track for the task and not spending too much time reminiscing…
2. Shall I make lists?
List your natural talents, acquired skills, and those intangible qualities like your optimism or sense of humour. Be adventurous – include activities and ideas that you might be reluctant to share with others. List every personal milestone and major accomplishment you have ever achieved. Reflect on what you have learned and applied from then to the present time. In the same way, list what you consider your limitations or shortcomings. Reflect and reposition them as valuable life lessons and let go of the details. It’s the learning that counts.
3. What would you be doing now, today, if there were no limits?
Imagine waking up tomorrow morning to the world just the way you want it. Who are the people in this world, what your role is, and what are you doing to lead your life on purpose. Don’t set any limits on this world – it’s your dream, your reality. List what may get in the way of realising your dreams. Name them, face them and write them down. See in your mind’s eye the communities that support you in this new world. Name them and their strengths and those that provide you with role models. Write yourself a letter describing your ideal day. Write it from the moment you wake until you retire for the night. Spend time with the letter. It’s for your purpose.
4. How do I research and know what is possible for me?
Make research a game – there is so much information to be discovered. Old ways such as visiting a library and joining communities and groups. Newer ways of looking online – again, perhaps by joining a community of like-minded people who are also researching for information. Online skills are able to be learned; perhaps your first piece of research to find the course to suit you; at your neighbourhood or community house; at the local TAFE or other teaching institution. Go on, research now.
Learning about your purpose takes time
For some of you, you can make change at any time in your life – at 30 or at 60. It’s not for everyone to leap at change, abandon their life-long careers or their adult homes. For some it is an incremental change where people take their time to reflect and plan their next phase of life. Sometimes change is forced upon you, such as work redundancy or a major illness for yourself or a loved one. But the reflection and exploration you are started on, your life audit, will prepare you to make the change. Take the example of the lawyer who worked as a corporate wheeler and dealer. After reflecting on what mattered, she is now a legal worker in remote indigenous communities and thriving in the experience.
Can you work through these steps on your own?
Are you ready to plan for this reflective activity? Are you confident to make a start on your life audit? What if help were available to get you started and moving towards your life purpose?
Contact us for a complimentary consultation to focus on this audit. We work with you to discover what you want for your life as you grow and develop. It will be the best 30 minutes you spend to get started on leading your life on purpose.
References
Fallick, K 2004, Get a New Life, retrieved 1 September 2010, < http://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/index.php/articles/category/resources>
Stone, M and Stone, H 2004, Too Young to Retire, Plume, New York.
© 2010 Helene Strawbridge, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from the Second Half Success material in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear. The attribution should read: By Helene Strawbridge of Second Half Success. Please visit Helene’s web site at www.secondhalfsuccess.com.au for additional articles and resources. (Make sure the link is live if placed in an newsletter or in a web site.)
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