Who Has the Answers To Living Your Divine Purpose? Not I
May 14, 2008
Yesterday I told my blog and teaching partner CK, that I thought everything we’ve been teaching is Bull. I mean, how can we know that we even have a Divine Purpose? And if we have one, is it just one purpose or many?
I’ve been searching for years to find my purpose. How can I inspire others to find theirs?
All I have are questions.
- Does our purpose change over the years?
- Is raising my child part of my purpose and if so, when she’s gone and out of the house, is my life purpose over? Or does it change? How will I know?
- If I’m not passionate today, is it because I’m on the wrong path? Following dead energy?
CK and I have been teaching together for about a year now. We teach how to Unveil, Unleash and Manifest your Divine Life Purpose and I’ve gotta tell you, that I’m not sure we have any more answers than you do.
- Are we supposed to focus in on one goal that is dear to our hearts, and then never ever ever let go?
- And if we give up, are we letting go? Or not successful?
- What is success anyway?
There are many successful bloggers that will tell you to focus, set your goals and never look back. And others like Liz who’s blog title includes successful.
They must have it going on.
Even Charlie says it: Never ever ever give up.
I know that works for some people, striving each and every day until finally they’ve reached success. Maybe as an actor, or a singer or an artist. And if you’ve got that kind of internal desire, you probably don’t need one of our classes anyway. You already know that you want to be an artist, and you’re willing to do whatever it takes.
But.. what happens if you are not successful?
Are you a failure at your own life purpose?
If you’ve been given a gift, a talent, a God given Divine talent, like singing, and you can sing like the angels, are you a a failure if we aren’t downloading you on iTunes? Or watching you on MTV? What if all you do is sing to your child? Are you living your life purpose as fully as you can?
Anyone else out there watching American Idol?
Syesha has been singing her heart out, striving for her dream of being a professional ‘successful’ singer each and every week. And she’s been getting better – I’d say she’s most improved. But then a few weeks ago, the theme of the week was Broadway songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber , Syesha sang One Rock and Roll Too Many, and it was as if the diamond inside had been polished. She was on fire, alive, in her element, and you knew in that moment, that she’d probably make it big as a Broadway star.
Is it all about a getting a break in life?
So, here’s the example of Syesha, singing her heart out for years, and then getting her big break, and making a small course correction – without even knowing it. Maybe she did, she’s been an actor, and maybe she already knew that she would bloom adding theatre to her singing, but we didn’t know. We hadn’t seen it yet.
And what if she didn’t get this break to sing Broadway on American Idol. Would another break have come to her? Is it her time to shine? Has Divine Timing all come together along with preparation to make her a star?
What if she had never made it to American Idol?
Then what?
Would she have gone on to become a singing waitress? And could that be part of the plan?
How do you know its time to move on to something else, or just keep plugging away?
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Benjamin Franklin
I don’t have the answers. I wish I did.
Oh I can guess.
I can make up theories and give you examples of what has worked and quote famous philosophers and spiritual gurus who’ve studied this better than I, but in the end, I don’t think we really know why some people seem to have better luck than others, or can tap into a purpose and passion and run with it for their whole lives.
Some of us struggle a bit. Try different things. Have doubts. Wonder what is next for us.
So. I don’t have the answers. Not today anyway.
But what if we do have the answers.
Not CK and I , but each of us, in our own hearts.
What if we each have the answers inside that helps us each live a life of purpose and passion?
What if…?
Do you have the answers inside you?
Share please.
Written by Michelle Vandepas - Michelle is a writer, speaker, facilitator and radio talk show host. Contact Michelle directly using the contact page above, or leave a comment below.
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I believe that we are all gifted (impassioned) in different ways for different reasons and different seasons. In the beginning of my career, I used my gifts of administration and problem solving in corporate America. Eight years ago, in the face of a lay-off, I changed directions and used those same gifts in developing my Virtual Assistant firm. Three years ago, faced with the unique learning styles of my four sons, I shifted gears to balance the needs of my clients and the demands of homeschooling four children. I’m in tune with the gifts that God has given me. I’m clear that as seasons and reasons change, my gifts (passions) will evolve to suit the circumstances at hand.
Ann Harrells last blog post..1
Love your post today, Michelle. The fact that you’re willing to admit you don’t have all the answers may just mean you have it more together than you (at least for today) are willing to admit. Maybe each step of the journey is a building block that somehow works with the next step? Maybe it’s not so black and white, as in many roads can take you on the same journey. Or maybe the journey itself is the thing.
Like you, I believe we each have a purpose. How that plays out will look different from time to time and based on life circumstances. Some days we’re bang on, others, not so much. But when we’re living our purpose, we live our lives with greater passion and effectiveness. (Though what is effective for one will definitely look different than what is effective for others.)
Thanks for asking the hard questions.
What an interesting question. I have been watching Syesha, and agree with your ‘most improved’ assessment. I also agree that the more ‘theatrical’ selections have been her forte’. As to whether she can make it on Broadway, I have no idea if she can act. Musical theater is a melding of all the artistic disciplines, from the visuals of sets and lighting to the musicianship of the orchestra in partnership with the actor/singer. Make no mistake, to be a true artist in that venue; the two disciplines come in that order.
But that is not really the answer to the question, now is it? Syesha is no different than myself or any other actor/musician/painter/sculptor/etc. Success for the artist is no different than any other walk in life. Luck is being prepared when the moment arrives. Success measured in acclaim, in whatever form is never just about talent. It is partially about drive. As it was explained to me so many years ago at conservatory, “You should only do this (pursue a career) if it is what you HAVE to do.” Drive, need, whatever you call it. The only reason you make the sacrifices you make to attain the highest success/notoriety is because it IS the only thing that fulfills that URGE. I must be what you HAVE to do.
I am reminded of the song Purpose from the Broadway hit Avenue Q:
PURPOSE,
IT’S THAT LITTLE FLAME
THAT LIGHTS A FIRE
UNDER YOUR ASS.
This is not just something that applies only to artists. It applies to all walks of life. Most never have the chance to reach the heights of fame or even perhaps fortune. But like the artist, success, however it is measured, is not just about talent. Always luck plays a part. Chance determines potentialities that resolve into realities.
But the artist has a potential un-measured by fame or fortune. True, achievement of the goal will lead to recognition and the other blessings will flow. But this is something worth striving for, For Its Own Sake. Independent of any observation of its fulfillment. I am one of those who can sing like the angels, yet you have never heard of me. Yet I am content. How you may ask?
As I once wrote in a blog post:
Imagine yourself painting a picture with pure light.
That your sculpture was of fog and mist, as ephemeral as a cloud.
That the experience of your art was through the active participation of your audience, for the duration of its performance.
Music. Theater. Opera, the merger of the two.
Fleeting glimpses of the soul poured out into vibrations of the air.
Passing into nothingness.
So brief.
If one is not alert, one will miss it.
Miss the unique fusion of the piece and the artist interpretation into the expression of all that it is to be a human being.
Transcend into that magical place…
Where Art occurs.
Always be ready, or you will miss it…
…
And there you have it. THAT is why the artist pursues their passion. For that fleeting moment of perfection.
Now. Like the Samurai of old, find that thing that YOU do. And perfect it. Until you reach that bliss.
Find YOUR Art.
THAT, is your Purpose.
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This is a very thought-provoking post. My question to you is, “Where do you find your joy?” or “What makes you happy?”
It seems to me that if you can answer those questions truthfully, then you are on your way to fulfilling your passion.
If it is any consolation to you, I think that we are all faced with questions similar to yours everyday.
By the way, I notice that you Alexa ranking is 258,142. That’s pretty impressive. Perhaps you are a successful blogger who hasn’t let herself realize it yet. I like your stuff.
Michelle, I think that most of us can relate to your words and doubts. I think it was maybe Eckhart Tolle that recently said that the life purpose for each of us is to just be who we really are. Does all of this doing really help us? I think it does. Sometimes it helps us see who we really are. Other times it shows us who we really aren’t. The struggle happens when we lose sight of who we are. Ego isn’t a bad thing. It shows us what is important to us and what isn’t. The more I become aware of my ego, the more that I find things aren’t as important. Does anyone have all of the answers? I don’t know. Yes, we each have all of our answers inside of us. I just haven’t learned all of the secrets of accessing my answers yet. Doubts can point us in a new directions that we might not have looked at otherwise.
Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworkers last blog post..Blessed By Strong Women—Happy Mother’s Day
Such great comments that add to this conversation.
Ann: It sounds as though you allow your purpose to evolve depending upon your circumstances… and that you are in tune with your gifts. For some that is the hardest part. How did you get in tune?
Cheryl. We teach what we need to learn! LOL…. Some days I feel right on it, other days totally lost, but I do know that I’m ‘on’ more days than not… Do you really think that all roads lead to the same journey? That is a conversation in itself. If we make a different choice that takes us down a path we didn’t expect, are we still learning the lessons or being on our path? What do you think?
Bruce,
You’ve left quite a comment with a bit to ponder…
Syesha is an actor first, so I think it may be part of her Divine Purpose to stretch into both acting and singing - and is she interested, or committed enough in her heart to go for it? To learn and become great at both? And is it a decision or a gift at this point?
Did you go to conservatory? You quote the flame under your ass, but my question is for the rest of us, what if we don’t have a flame? How do we get one? What if we deeply desire a flame, but barely can find a spark or ember. Not all of us were born with instantly recognizable gifts such as singing. (I saw that because I am clear on some of my gifts, like building structure, but it isn’t as sexy as singing or playing piano)…
Yes we must DO and BE for the sake of DOING AND BEING for us, not for a specific outcome or expectation. We must do it because we love it.. And when it involves creative juices, well, that does light our flame…
You close with this:
…..Find YOUR Art.
THAT, is your Purpose…….
I love that line. It is so true that our creativity, art, soul, passion and purpose are all wrapped up. I like to think of it as our creativity is GOD incarnating though us.
This is a conversation that I could have for years.. and have.
Thank you for your contribution.
More thoughts?
So, what if there is no purpose to life, divine or otherwise? I’m not sure I believe that, but there is a running theme in spirituality. Notice Patricia’s comment about Eckhart Tolle. Maybe our only purpose is to just be, exist, revel in the moment to moment life. That makes sense to me.
One thing, Michelle: if you have a purpose, it is difficult to know it clearly, especially all the time. Some people do, for a time, seem to know there purpose, but then things change. We strive and struggle to be great in one area of life, and then life takes a turn and now we do something else.
And lastly, I don’t think “God given talent” means much in this regard. I am one of those strange people who can do anything with math. Not a Rainman, but you get the idea. I studied a little bit of it in college, taught a little bit of it at an alternative school, but life never moved me in the direction of using it. Life had a different plan for me, obviously, because I write about spirituality and I am a life coach. Go figure! There’s no telling how life will move us.
I say let Life be in charge. Let it live you.
[...] Corinne Edwards from her Personal Growth Blog wrote to me - she was compelled to write a guest post in response to my post yesterday about Divine Purpose being just Bull! [...]
Each one of us is born with a unique set of genes, these genes carry the memory of our ancestors’ talents, some useful others harmful, but they provide us with choice.
As we grow into adulthood, we all find that we have a natural aptitude for doing something. That something may be one talent, like producing wonderful music, or it may be many talents that enable us to live the sort of life which turns into a readable biography.
Such diverse talents may result in leaving beautiful memories of story telling with our children, or producing food so good that its taste lingers into adulthood or perhaps being able to impart the knowledge of a long life, with humour and joy of living. It often doesn’t mean fame or notoriety.
We all make the right choices at the right time, it is the guilt of learned behaviour that sometimes makes us feel that we aren’t doing the ‘right’ thing. Parental and societies’ expectations would have us believe that we ought to be following the path of whatever fashion that success happens to be taking.
It is a wish for a child to, “make something of their life.” In other words, do something that makes the parent feel good, it’s called vicarious living, and makes the adult feel better than the child. This is seen so often in show business that it has become a cliche. There is invariably talent involved, but it’s debatable if true happiness or any divine purpose is being expressed if the child displays poor psychological behaviour.
This has its roots in the human desire for approbation, when we receive it, energy flows in our direction making us feel good. When we don’t get it, it saps our energy and we feel bad. This feeling bad can make us believe that we aren’t doing the right thing, and so off we go along another road wondering if this other way might make us feel good. We are still being driven by parental expectation.
There is sometimes a situation where the energy of approbation becomes an addiction, so much so that performers only feel alive when the audience is applauding, sending waves of energy in their direction. Hence the downward spiral of the fading star. They failed to learn where free energy is always available, and how to download it.
Distinguishing between feeling good, for feeling goods sake, and feeling good because you are following a parental driver is an art. When we get sick of being goaded by parental expectation, we do just that, and get sick. The choice of getting off the treadmill then can be shown to be nothing of our own doing. We may even get energy from the sympathy expressed for our predicament. A win win situation, unless you don’t like pain!
In the end, the purpose of existence is to live a contented and peaceful life, whatever and whichever way you choose. Learning to go your own way, and following the path that your unique set of genes takes you will bring contentment to your living and peace to your dying.
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Tom, I curious if math shows up in your life? Do you do anything like Soduko, or music that keeps that talent alive? I agree that ‘being’ is our purpose, but that keeps many people feeling flat - especially at work. Some of us need practical, pragmatic tools for living with purpose when we forget to breathe! LOL
Chris,
Thanks for noticing my Alexa rank. But I’m not sure that it is ‘doing me any good’.. Yet that is the point I think.
I love blogging. I love the techy bits. I love the writing, the interaction, the SEO. I love exploring the internet. Letting my inner geek shine. And so I blog because I love it, and as a result, I get a few bennies, like moving up the Alexa rank.
Is the answer: Do what you love….???
Patricia,
The more I learn about accessing answers inside myself (or to help teach others to accces answers inside them) the more I learn, the deeper I go. Its a never ending circle that leads deeper and deeper. Thanks for bringing up doubts in a new way. I think you are onto something.. Doubt can be our friend leading us to explore further.
Carol:
……………..In the end, the purpose of existence is to live a contented and peaceful life, whatever and whichever way you choose. Learning to go your own way, and following the path that your unique set of genes takes you will bring contentment to your living and peace to your dying…………..
This is lovely… I love how you didn’t say ‘happiness’. I tend to think chasing happiness never makes us happy, but having contentment brings us peace. That I can get behind!
Interesting question.
I wonder if wanting to have a purpose is a way to be in control, a new age way of believing that we’re going to be happier if we follow one particular path. As much as I love spirituality, I ask myself the question, “Can I be happy just being open to life, having gratitude, being kind, and sharing gifts to the extent that others receive them” without having a purpose to my life. I believe I can. It is scarier this way, to not know where my life is going, but there’s also a great freedom in not trying to direct my life, which is not to say that I’m lazy or inactive. My purpose in life seems to be to engage with whatever is important and in front of me.
Sol
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Sol,
When we can know what our gifts are, and then use them to take the next step in our lives, perhaps that combination of being in tune with a purpose/gift/talent, but allowing for life to unfold gets us a life worth engaging in?
I think you’re confusing divine purpose and success.
Success usually doesn’t include dying a shameful death as a criminal, drinking hemlock or ending up with a few disciples only after finding the path to end suffering. But Jesus, Socrates and Buddha were probably each in touch with their divine purpose.
One clue to being in touch is if we find what we do profoundly nourishing, however it is regarded by others. Successful or not, this is who we are.
Sorry if this sounds grumpy but divine purpose is not about success (in my, not so, humble opinion).
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Michelle,
Well said. I agree with you 100%.
Sol
Sol Ledermans last blog post..A plug for HomeschoolMathContests.com
Evan,
You’ve made a good point.. Success and Purpose are obviously not the same… Now I want to ask you.. I’m sure Jesus had doubts. (some are documented)…what was the drive inside that didn’t allow him to give up? And why do some people have that and not others?
What exactly was the purpose of Jesus as HE saw it? (not the purpose that we can see after the fact).. and why did Jesus stay the course and not just quit? These are the questions that intrigue me. How come Jesus, or Buddha, stayed the course, and just kept going?
Why do some of us know our purpose and give up? and others not even have a clue…?
More ideas?
Hi Michelle,
I’m not sure that it is about drive or feeling driven.
In the gospels there are statements recorded where Jesus gives his reasons. Eg the son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. There are lots of these.
In Jesus case he seems to have nourished by his relationship to the divine. This seems to have been characterised by its intimate and personal nature. Jesus is very much in the prophetic tradition of personal communion. (Jesus addressing God personally as Father was unprecedented in his tradition.)
Buddha seems to me to be in the enlightenment tradition where the personal has a bit more of a problematic status. (This is a very complicated issue.) The Buddha seems to have had a resolute conviction based on his extraordinary analytical insight and perception. Once you see the way something is then it is very difficult to pretend otherwise. Once you have seen that our thoughts influence our happiness and misery is influenced by our thoughts it is hard to go back to ‘it’s all their fault’ (at least as a way of life).
My guess is that many people haven’t had the space to explore what their purpose might be. There is even a prejudice abroad in some ciricles that we don’t have one (so that it is whatever we want to make up).
There is the story of how Jesus dealt with his temptation in the wilderness, in Buddhism I understand there is the story about Buddha refusing to step off the wheel and remaining to teach out of compassion.
There is some sense in which we discover our true selves beyond (but expressed through) our everyday selves and occupations. This is a change to who we are or perhaps a realisation of who we always were.
My guess based on my own very limited experience is that it is possible for people to fairly quickly get an idea of their divine purpose (say in a one weekend residential). The working out of the implications in some ways takes the rest of our lives.
These are my guesses. I trust this goes some way to responding to your questions. I’m more than happy to keep discussing this so please let me know if you want a better/different response.
Evan, I think this is one of the most important sentences in this whole conversation:
……….
…..In Jesus case he seems to have nourished by his relationship to the divine……..
When we have a relationship with the Divine, then we know what our purpose is, if we are on track, what to do when we get off track, and how to follow our own path.
.Thank you for that …
Michelle, the only use I have for math is occasionally teaching my 7 year old. Hardly advanced calculus! Nope, I may have the talent, but that’s all. It just isn’t a factor.
I know “being” as a purpose may leave people flat, but to me it is the plain truth. There really isn’t another purpose, so I feel like I just have to deal with that. Or let it go to use a better phrase.
Of course, everyone is on the spiritual journey for a different reason. I’m in it because of the whole awakening thing. Others are just looking for a happier, better life. (Me, too, but that is secondary.) So, for many people, having a purpose, even if it isn’t real, can be a good thing. I certainly work with my coaching clients from the standpoint of all this stuff being real and meaningful. I’d be a lousy coach if I didn’t!
[...] guest post and the comment about people not listening because of the meaning we give to words. Read Michelle’s post, and Corinnes post, and then comment on your take on Divine Purpose! What is Divine Purpose? Tell [...]
Hi Michelle,
My #1 goal in life is to Live With and In Joy - if I don’t Enjoy what I’m doing then I’m not following my purpose. Can my purpose change? Sure it can! And are there things I may need to do that I might not enjoy but I need to do them? Yes, and my job is to make them fun.
I’m going for Joy Now, not doing what I’m doing in order to finally be joyful later. Isn’t what everyone wants is to be happy? Well what if you make your goal to Be Happy Now, to Live In Joy Now instead of later? Then you’re already successful.
Oh, and I’m not saying you don’t have goals, but when I’m living in joy today, I’m no longer dependent on outside circumstances in order to “be happy”.
You’ll figure it out for yourself, you already have the answers for yourself inside of you.
Hello Michelle! It just amazes me how so often you hear how much the human race has evolved, yet we continue to to struggle with the same “pursuit of happiness” that has been the focus (theme) of many philosophers and Theologians throughout the centuries! Everyone is seeking a better, more fruitful way of being! This is the true frailty of Man–The Holy Grail to true freedom that seems to have eluded us throughout time… How have we come to this point where we are our own worst enemy? Is life, as far as growth is concerned, merely identifying and overcoming the learned programs that have stifled us? So many theories, practices, remedies, etc etc. When (how) will the inner and outer realities of Man atlast become one of great joy ?
@Tom. I think that some of us all always yearning , searching for the next step. And learning to BE, and just LIVE is the challenge. There is something deep within me that is always searching, - and for you too I bet, and we just search in different ways. Our lessons are probably the same in the biggest, largest sense, and we find our way on a separate (but same) path…
I’m not on a ‘happiness’ quest. For me it isn’t about being happy, it is about being fulfilled - from within - and knowing that I can make a difference and live to my highest potential. Sometimes that means just playing with my kid.
I agree. It’s all in the NOW and the BEING.
Sounds like gobblygook ……. but its the truth! Promise
@JoLynn, It is true that you can’t find happiness looking outside yourself. I do set goals, but in a very different way than I did 10 years ago. Now I set goals with a the intention of allowing and going with the flow. A fine line to walk.
@Gary I wonder how we can say the human race has evolved while we still kill each other. Its a strange consciousness humans share.
Marianne Williamson says, “Spiritual enlightenment isn’t about what you do, so much as it’s about who you are while you’re doing it.” I think the same thing is true of your Purpose. It’s not about the activity you are engaging in as much as WHO you are while you do it. Are allowing your unique light to shine in the world?
I did a workshop with Larry DeRusha last year which helped me gain clarity regarding my purpose and that it is separate and distinct from my activities, my job, my career, etc. and yet I can be “on purpose” in all of these aspects of my life.
A little thing that helps me is to set the Intention of being “on purpose” in my daily activities… and of course, that’s exactly what happens!
@Bruce: “LIfe may be scary but… it’s only temporary!”
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