DEFINITENESS OF PURPOSE and
DISCERNMENT
A life best lived is a life by design. Not by accident, and not by just walking through the day careening from wall to wall and managing to survive. That's okay. But if you can start giving your life dimensions and design and color and objectives and purpose, the results can be staggering.
- Jim Rohn
PURPOSE
Many times people will tell me they don’t know their purpose, yet, others know beyond a shadow of a doubt what their purpose is.
WHY IS PURPOSE IMPORTANT?
For one thing, it gives one direction. Without direction, one wanders about from task to task, person to person, job to job, with little to look back on in terms of realizing their dreams or feeling any real sensation of fulfillment. Having a direction in life, gives us direction in our daily ventures. We can plan accordingly when we know what exactly it is that we are after. Which leads us to the next benefit….
It saves one time. When one knows what direction they are heading, they save a tremendous amount of time and can quickly make decisions based on their purpose. After all, if you’re not seeking to fill your time fulfilling your purpose, chances are great you’ll be using that same time to help someone fulfill theirs. It’s not a bad thing to help others in their purpose, in fact, it’s very rewarding, you just don’t want to lose sight of your own along the way. Time is a precious commodity.
You become more efficient/proficient with your skills pertaining to your purpose, simply because you become more aware of what it is that drives you.
Knowing your purpose puts a bounce in our step, a smile on your face, and gives you confidence that what you are doing with yourself, and your life is important.
Purpose gives one a zest for life that otherwise tends to stagnate from time to time.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE?
First, you need to know what your purpose is.
“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.” Bishop T.D. Jakes
What are you passionate about? Take a good look over your life, and note what you’ve been drawn to over, and over, and over, again. What is a common interest that’s run continuously through your life? Helping others? Creating art, music, books? Are you addicted to crunching numbers? Building, engineering? Taking high risks? Note what those things are.
You definitely know when you have a passion/purpose, when you are engaged in that particular thing, and you lose all sense of time, can go without eating or drinking for long periods of time, and are completely entranced by the project at hand.
This week, I encourage you to think about purpose. Think about it in any way that suits you. For instance, if you know your purpose, make a Mantra for yourself in regards to your purpose. Make it a goal to do something each day specifically to that end.
Or, you could even break down purpose into bite sized pieces. “I’m going to the gym today, what’s my purpose?” Get in there and get it done. Work, ditto. Family, ditto. Project, ditto. When you have a distinct purpose for doing something, the results are superior in comparison with just going along.
This week: I challenge you to define your purpose.
DISCERNMENT
The ability to discern is truly a gift. Used regularly and thoughtfully, it saves one much time, frustration, and even money.
According to Wiki:
Discernment is the ability to obtain sharp perceptions or to judge well (or the activity of so doing).
Judge well, all things:
- Your training
- Sleep habits
- Eating habits
- Work ethic
- Spending
- Books
- Movies
- Relationships
- and so forth
A Warrior has both a keen definition of Purpose and Discernment.
One must always be discerning of their environment, potential threats, dangers, opportunities, paths of travel, and so on. Things in our day are really not that much different than in yesteryear, although the things of judging have become more subtle in their ways, approaches, and delivery.
I encourage you to use discernment this week. Listen. What do you feel? Our body and subconscious mind are always ahead of the game, and give us signals immediately as to what is beneficial for us and what is not, if we but pay attention.
Slow down a bit this week. Pay attention to your surroundings, the people in it, the smells, the activity, the amount of energy, etc. Without discernment, one is open to deception. Be mindful of your decisions, use discernment.
Have a great week!!!!!
