Your Need To Know

This is the third installment from 25 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE in 2009

TIP #3 – When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement: “My purpose is to  (Fill in the blank) today.”

- or – My purpose is to… be the best person that I can be…wear a smile all day and make someone else smile….do something special for someone else…to work toward my major goal of_____ ….to tell someone I love them…work on being more patient….empty my inbox today…..

My Purpose for Today vs. My Purpose for My Life

A ‘Purpose for Today’ is a great way to start the day on a good note which generally carries on throughout the day.  A ‘purpose for today’ will often set your mood for the rest of the day.   Such a small thing to do compared to the possible rewards.  This is true because as we know, we become what we think about. Even if we are thinking of something for only a short time, it has and does make an impact on our subconscious.  Making a ‘Purpose for today” statement WILL effect your actions and choices that day.

As I have said before, everything is a habit. It has been said it takes about 30 days to form a new (or break an old) habit. Try the simple habit of waking up in the morning and professing “My purpose for today is_______.”  Make this something that will make a difference, however small, in your life or the life of someone else.  After all, self-improvement or living a better life doesn’t have to be an all-consuming task.

To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face; to greet the day with reverence  for the opportunities it contains; to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before  me, even in the doing of little things, the Ultimate Purpose toward which I am working; to  meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind and  courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep, and  the joy that comes from work well done – this is how I desire to waste wisely my days.  Robert Louis Stevenson

My Purpose for My Life

You may have a purpose similar to the examples above for each day, and you may have a grander, greater purpose that is your Life’s Purpose.

Why do you think you are here on this earth? Most of us want to feel what it means to be alive.
“Man is not in search of the meaning of life, but what it means to be alive. Joseph Campbell”
Brian Tracy says, “The purpose of life is to develop loving relationships. If we can learn to love ourselves and others, we can then go on to the full realization of our human destiny.”

Do you have a purpose or do you have a feeling of purpose?

Many people feel as if they have no meaningful purpose. Some even feel as though their life on earth is a punishment of some sort.  If they make the right choices, do the right things, they may get to move on to something better someday.

Having a purpose is essential. Having a purpose is more important than your talents and abilities in creating and shaping your life. Defining a purpose in life is one of the most significant steps you can take in achieving personal success. 

I’m not necessarily talking about money when I talk of personal success as money alone does not make you a success in life (although being financially free is a worthy goal – after all, we can’t enjoy life if we’re worried about not having enough money). I’m talking about successfully fulfilling your dreams, being happy and content, and having peace of mind.  Success is a feeling of personal fulfillment – a feeling we are becoming everything we are capable of becoming. Success is a journey, not a destination. Ben Sweetland

Living With Purpose

Living with purpose is one of life’s greatest joys. The desire for purpose exists in every human being.  We can begin to grow and improve as human beings when we seek our purpose, and our purpose intensifies the more we pursue it.  Knowing your purpose, while being true to yourself to work toward it, is the best way to prepare for a life full of worthwhile accomplishments.

Having a distinct purpose will help you to be the person you would like to be. We all have an ideal self that we are constantly trying to emulate.  We want to be like that person.  We continually have thoughts and mental images of the person we would like to be and we are constantly adjusting our actions and behaviors trying to be more like that person.

To help you define your purpose, ask your self these questions: What do I want out of life? What does it mean for me to be alive? What do I do well?  What would I love to do?  What would I do without being paid for it?  What do I want to accomplish in my lifetime?

A dear friend of mine tells me her purpose is to be a wonderful and loving wife and mother; to raise her children to be happy, productive members of society; to teach them to live with honesty and integrity.  I thought it was wonderful that she knew what she wanted to do and be. And I think it’s wonderful that her days are centered around that purpose.  Living her purpose is the thing that makes her happy.  Her success is measured in her happiness and in the happiness of her family.  She will be remembered for the impact she has made on the lives of others.

You should not feel as though your purpose in life is to go to work every day, toil your entire life at a job you may hate, just so you can retire some day living a meager existence, just hoping that somehow things will work out.  Life is much grander than that.  Pursue your dreams and goals.  Know your purpose.  Search your heart and you will find it.

Living without purpose allows other people’s purpose to influence and direct our lives. If we are living without purpose that is exactly what is happening. We need to make sure we are in charge of ourselves. We must be self-reliant and our success is assured.

Steve Pavlina (Personal Development for Smart People) offers some insightful reading on your life’s purpose and how to discover it.  How to Discover Your Life Purpose in about 20 Minutes.

Do you have a “Purpose for Today?” Have you uncovered your purpose in life?  Please share with me and my readers and let us know how “Living with Purpose” has changed your life.

Gina

Technorati Tags:Personal Development, Self-improvement

I came across this poem by Moises P. Reconalla and wanted to share it with you:

Just for today, I will improve myself. For today is the sure preparation for future success.

Just for today, I will no longer compare myself to others; instead I compare only my past self so I can be able to become the master of myself!

Just for today, I will laugh at myself, at my errors and at my failures in life for these are the secret of refinement and emotional maturity.

Just for today, I will remind myself often with these words: Life is yours to enjoy. Dont waste it. Dont pass up living by thinking yourself into a failure and defeat. For there is always a room for opportunity and success. What you shall need to do, is to create one!

Just for today, I will cultivate myself to give its best to the world and the world will give back its best to me. For the world is a mirror of king and slave.

Just for today, I will be careful, watchful and vigilant. For the world is full of treacherous individuals. Therefore, in order not to fall in their traps, Ill think thrice before I act and do my activities under the sun!

Just for today, I will motivate myself to be self-reliant, honest, hard working, humble, open-minded, have word of honor, respect, and originality. For these are the true secret of power, fame and integrity.

Just for today, no longer I compete myself to others, instead I compete only with my own self for here is a true secret of greatness and success.

Just for today, I will value the reading of good books. Books are gifts where hidden treasures laid given by a Loving God to motivate my intellect to think and grow rich!

Just for today, I will share my knowledge, skills and talents to the world, so I can be able to lift up and give comfort to the wondering broken-soul.

Just for today, I will greet my beloved fellow human being with a sweet smile instead of frown. Encouragement instead of discouragement for whatever a man soweth that shall he also reap.

Just for today, I will not neglect to give praises and thanks to my Loving Creator. For He is the source of my energy, breath, strength, and wisdom. Without Him, I am vanities in all vanities under the sun!

Just for today, I will talk to Him with these words: My Great Creator, Loving and faithful Friend of mine, I am here now in your front to glorify your name. I would like to thank thee for all the trials, pains and sorrows in life you prescribed to me because it help me a lot to refine my character and views in life. I pray that you now help me to remove every single defect of my character, stands in the way of usefulness to you and to my fellow human being. Please help me to follow these precepts in my hands diligently, so I can gradually become a catalyst of change and inspiration to those people around me. Finally, can be able to bring them successfully nearer and closer to you. Thank you, dear Lord for listening and answering my petitions. In Christ name, Ill pray Amen.

Wish you many blessings to come and God bless!

Moises P. Reconalla

About the Author: Moises P. Reconalla is the School Guidance Counselor and Working Students Supervisor at North Davao College, Panabo City, Philippines. He has taught several courses at the college including: Guidance and Counseling, General Psychology, Philippine History: Roots and Development, General Anthropology and Sociology, and Dr. Jose Rizal: Life, Works & Writings.

Visit his blog at http://www.mosesreconalla.blogspot.com and read his poems and articles that can motivate your intellect to think and grow rich!

Gina