Finding the core of life purpose.

This post from nine years ago reminds me of how much time I've spent trying to find "my life purpose."  Once again, as I contemplate a potential project, I'm trying to see how it fits with my idea of what should be my purpose for this incarnation.

When I wrote the poem below,  I thought I had come to clarity on this question. However, it continues to repeat like endless waves lapping at the shore. I have to stop and remind myself that as long as my choices bring me joy and lovingly connect me to the world, they are part of my purpose ... they are part of the sea of "perfect possibilities."

I no longer believe I should pack up and go serve the starving children in Africa. While that could be soul satisfying, there are other projects that fit my life and skills better.  

The less dramatic project under contemplation could serve people and perhaps there are ways to increase the possibilities for contribution. Maybe that's the real issue ... finding ways to do what we love and fits our skills and talents in a way that serves others.

 

Life Purpose

The child walks 

toward passion

as naturally 

as she reaches toward 

a bright toy.

Wherever she looks, 

a world of joy beckons.

No thought of “should”

 or “ought” enters her head.

She just points herself 

in the direction of 

the bright beloved

and puts one foot 

in front of the other,

moving forward, 

totally focused.

She doesn’t stop

to ask for it.

She doesn’t worry about

whether or not

it’s the right it.

She doesn’t stop to 

consider the possible responses.

She feels no fear;

she hears only

the siren call

of her one true joy.

Oh, that I felt

that clarity,

that ability

to feel passion

for every cloud 

and dust mote,

every shiny bauble

and every glittering face.

 

Rather than searching

high and low

for that one

right calling,

that one

all-fulfilling wish,

that one bright island,

we can recognize

that life is a sea 

of perfect possibilities,

infinite choices,

to serve the world 

with love and joy

thus expanding

our own spirits. 

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