Finding Purpose and Motivation in Your Life

"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy." ~George Bernard Shaw

Finding purpose in life is something we all do instinctively, whether we are aware of it or not. We all want to "matter" in some way. I believe that is why so many persons strive to be rich...being rich is an outward symbol of "being worth something".

Is having riches what it is all about? Can we be worth something without riches?

Consider that many famous people were not wealthy in their lifetime. Those famous people lived their lives as they wanted to regardless of wealth and even ignored fame though many found it posthumously. Hardly something to make one happy ... Posthumous fame is not worth much on a personal level!

Working life often interferes with our purpose in life. I certainly found that to be true in my own world. Work is essential for providing the necessities of life and that is a worthy pursuit, since one needs to have shelter and food. A career can provide a great living and all the trappings that go with it. However, life devoted to just to work can be draining... unless your work is your calling!

I just watched a show on the life of Lloyd Robertson, a well known Canadian anchorman who just retired and did his last broadcast yesterday. He is an example of someone who found his calling and lived it. He was fortunate to have found his passion in highschool and strong enough to pursue it. Persistence paid off!

My own remedy has always been to have interests outside of work that made up for the lack of creativity at work...because creativity drives me; it is what makes me want to get up in the morning raring to discover something new!

My own desire to learn or discover something new would not necessarily work for you. What works for each individual is specific to what interests you!

Most of us do not have the luxury of devoting our lives to what interests us or perhaps we do not even know what our purpose in life should be, even if we have the means to pursue it. That is often the dilema... finding our purpose.

Sometimes in my busier days I use to think my purpose in life was shopping.

Seriously, that is when I would truly loose myself and forget about my worries until I checked my bank account...lol.

In those days I enjoyed shopping as a way to unwind as I am sure many busy women and men still do. However, in later years, I have discovered the folly of too much shopping and began to reverse that trend. Most definitely, I ran out of space then realized, that is not my calling!

Quite a few years back I read the following quote in Oprah's magazine, "O". I clipped it out and kept it framed for a time. Eventually I wrote it down on a card I refer to frequently. It has been an inspiration for many years and something that speaks to me about finding purpose in life.

The quote I refer to is from Martha Graham, the famous dancer. I would like to share it now:
"There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost..."

This is what is usually found on the net, but there is more to the quote that I think is worth reading:

The quote goes on..."The world will not have it. it is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware of urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open."

The complete quote is from Martha Graham as told to Agnes de Mille in "Dance to the Piper".

So what is your expression? I know people who are great bakers, seamtressses, carpenters, gardeners... one of my Canadian aunt's didn't seem to have a great purpose in life, but could she grow plants! I remember her vegetable garden was something to behold...neat rows and beds of perfect vegetables and not a weed in sight. My adoptive mother could get lost in sewing...she was an awesome seamstress completely self-taught and she never earned a living from her calling. Some people are good with facts, some people light up the world with their humor.

Remember, whatever your expression is, it is unique to you...no one else will do it exactly as you will..so go ahead, knock yourself out! Your friends and family will identify you with your unique expression in life...your signature and purpose in life!

I have been fortunate to enjoy my lifetime of working. I enjoyed working but felt it lacked the specific feeling of a "calling". Interests in childhood are often lost as we grow older and we forget what was once a passion for us. I had followed my instincts in choosing chemistry in college, an interest that I was able to enjoy through a career. I also ran my own sign business with my late husband for a number of years and that came very close to being a calling since I could forget to eat as I worked on projects... and it had a very strong creative factor. There was career satisfaction and being part of a sucessful team...but was that a calling?

I considered myself lucky that I would get up and look forward to my work , but I wanted learn more ... I have always wanted to learn more and the work at hand took up all my time!

So now I have given myself a time to just explore life for all those things I had no time for in my younger days. I moved away from the big city and my hours of long commutes have ceased. I look for work that would suit me, yet I am old enough to be content with what I have... since shopping has now become a frugal pursuit and I have everything I need and a few luxuries like this computer.

I read, research, write, garden, enjoy photography and other creative hobbies; enjoy nature, good friends and pets. Most of al,l I keep learning new skills to enhance my world...so what is my expression? I do believe it is the writing...not mine to determine how good it is...but I try to be aware of the urges that motivate me to write and I try to keep the channels open!

Thanks Martha Graham!

Now go keep your channels open, you never know what is coming down the pipe! Remember that even if it sounds silly to others, if it isn't silly to you...you go and get it done...that lawn ornament made of beer bottle caps will give you a good night's sleep at the very least! The garden your spouse builds around it trying to hide it may just draw in the crowds! lol