Major Definite Purpose

[3nigma]

I do not know my major definite purpose, nor do I even know if I WANT a major definite purpose. I know all the self help authors and speakers say that defining your purpose in life is one of the most important things you can do, but I honestly don't want to "label" my existence as a purpose for something.

If I put "My life's purpose is to be an architect and design buildings" (Even though I don't want this at all, just using as an example) I feel it somehow takes away from your experience in the wonder that is life. This is how I see it. If I get a major definite purpose, it's like I "Turn into a goth, a punk, a nerd, or a preppy." You get labeled, and all your experiences are no longer "ego-less moments of the present" but are very purpose aligned. I can see setting goals, which I very much do. Setting goals is useful for me, because it's not labeling my BEING and they're usually short term, no longer than 3 month time-lines. But... a major definite purpose in LIFE? That's tough man.

This is the single reason I decided not to go to College. I don't know what I want to do with my life, at all. Having graduated High School, and kind of wasting those 4 years not doing much, I evaded this important question for a long time. Now it's staring me straight in the face. "What are you going to do with the rest of your life? This isn't a game!" Maybe I want to be an actor, a musician, an artist. I don't know!

I also know it's alot like a puzzle piece. This is a good aspect. If you have your major definite purpose, it's like getting the BIG center piece of the puzzle and everything else just sort of falls together afterwards. Does anyone here NOT have a major definite purpose, and loves it? I honestly think it's limiting. Why can't I be an actor, a musician, an artist, all at the same time? Leonardo Da Vinci was a Tuscan polymath; a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer. I mean, holy crap. There's a self actualized person for ya.

[Joely]

Hi there,

I wonder, are you confusing "major life purpose" with "career" here a little? I've had a sense of purpose all the way through my life, which as far as I see it is to share my art with the world and (hopefully) make people's lives better and the world a better place. My medium is usually writing, but I also delight in playing music, painting, drawing and all kinds of other activities. I don't have to wipe them off the slate because they're not "being a writer". Although you don't know what Da Vinci might have expressed his purpose as, it's very clear that it was to share his ideas and imagination with the world - and he did that through a huge range of media.

It's important not to confuse the medium with the message. Defining a life purpose isn't saying "I shall be a writer!" or whatever you say you want to be, it's about why you're choosing to be a writer. What's your motivation to be a writer/artist/musician/singer or whatever else you want to be? What drives you to do that?

Where people seem to get lost is in that split between purpose and career, but the two are very different. What you decide is your purpose (to make change in the world, to benefit humanity, to contribute in some way however large or small) will then probably influence your choice of career. Defining your purpose might well help you work out what "to do" with your life.

Hope that helps,

J x

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by 3nigma

Why can't I be an actor, a musician, an artist, all at the same time?

You can. The question is - are you actually taking any constructive steps towards becoming even any one of the above?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by 3nigma

Why can't I be an actor, a musician, an artist, all at the same time?

A declared purpose is just a tool (a powerful one) to help you to make choices that contribute to living a life you love. You certainly don't have to declare a life purpose. And if you do, you'll find that you have a guide in choosing your next right action. Is my next right action cogent with my purpose? Does it further me or hinder me?

In the case of your examples above, all you have to do to clearly distinguish a life purpose is to look at what all three have in common that are inspiring to you. For instance, maybe your life purpose is something like: "to be joyfully self-expressed such that others are stimulated and inspired." An inspiring life purpose is not all about just you; it's about who you are for others.

I suspect that Leonardo did in fact take the time to ponder what his purpose in life was. I don't think he randomly threw himself into one varied project after another, never considering who he was in the world and why he was there. That seems unlikely to me.

So, what inspires you?

edit: oh, p.s., you're not STUCK with your life purpose .... it may very well grow and adapt or even transform as your life advances. That's not a bad thing; that's a great thing!

[Dreamlife Hero]

I consider Leonardo da Vinci as one of the great geniuses.

He used to frequently sign himself 'Disciple of Experience' and he left 4 principles for the development of genius:

1 Study the science of art.

2 Study the art of science.

3 Develop all of your senses (and live in the present moment when experiencing things).

4 Study with the knowledge that everything connects to everything else.

I think he had clear purpose in life.

DLH

[3nigma]

You guys are right, I was looking at career goals instead of the actual purpose in life.

So, throw out some of your major definite purposes! Unless you don't want to.

[Angela]

To boldly generate and facilitate free-flowing love and joy.

[Stephen]

To live ethically as a 'partner' on this good green earth.

That means implementing something similar to 'ahimsa' into my life and to act as a steward of the earth rather than a consumer.

I cringe when I see people devouring animals and finite resources without a care in the world.

[bravebluemice]

My purpose is to inspire.

I have always liked epic things. Grand classical pieces and operas, incredible movie scenes, fantasy authors who can create whole worlds for the imagination.

I have tasked myself with carrying on this tradition, focusing my creativity to build epic works with which to inspire others. I do it primarily through writing, but also enjoy playing a trumpet in the local community band, perhaps one day with an orchestra.

I also work on a lot of 'mad mechanic' projects, varying from bizarre to insane. There's no limit to what you can do.

It's only by knowing your purpose, and making a clear commitment to it that the rest of the puzzle falls into place, and it's up to you which parts of the puzzle are more detailed. That's where the activity goes.

Good Luck,
~BraveBlueMice