As you advance into the second half of life, do you sometimes ask yourself, "What am I doing with my life?"
Or maybe you're thinking, "I want to feel purposeful, not just fill my time."
Maybe your sense of purpose was wrapped up in family or career, but things are shifting, and you're feeling lost.
We all want what we do day in and day out to matter.
Research confirms that identifying and pursuing purpose improves our physical and mental wellbeing. But here's what I've learned: it's not just purpose that matters. To reap the real benefits, our purposes must be anchored to specific positive impacts and the meaning they hold for us.
Purpose, impact, and meaning are closely related. We need all three to fulfill our human potential and answer the question of what our life will add up to.
Whether you're navigating a transition, reflecting on your future, or yearning for more depth and significance, examining these three enablers of wellbeing is always worthwhile.
Purpose Is What You Stand For
Purpose is your intention to make the world better in some way. It's a cause you believe in and are willing to stand up for in your daily life. It’s about adding more love to the world.
It could be as personal and close to home as helping a loved one through a long illness. One of my intentions is supporting my husband through chemotherapy, ongoing treatments, and cultivating positive mindsets for his chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Maybe you feel called to help underprivileged women and children in your community. Maybe you love Mother Earth and want to preserve her in some way. Perhaps you want to protect animals in your neighborhood or the wild.
Like me, you may love books and reading and want to promote that passion in your community. Perhaps you love art or music and want to contribute beauty to the world. My friend Ruth has taught piano to children for over thirty years and can't imagine wanting to retire.
Ask yourself: "Who and what do I love? What am I willing to stand for and work towards?" That's how you rediscover purpose.
Purpose is about potential. Impact is about reality—the unmistakable effect or influence you have on a person or situation.
Impact Is What Happens from Your Purpose
Impact is the specific difference you make—what happens from your purpose. Something that can be observed and measured.
My husband's cancer keeps going into remission through the healing power of love and positivity—mine and his oncology team's combined skills and devotion. As we all stand for his wellness, our impact shows up in lower lymphocyte counts in his blood and his excellent quality of life.
Ruth sees her impact when piano students get excited about new learning and experience the joy of making music. It's obvious when they're practicing and making progress.
What measurable positive impact do you want to make in your world?
Meaning Is Derived from Your Impact
Meaning is subjective and unique to each of us. It's about why we do what we do and the feeling we get from it.
I experience tremendous significance in standing for my husband's wellbeing. My support's positive impact on him is undeniable and brings me great satisfaction. When I ask myself why, I realize it aligns with my core values of compassion and vitality.
Ruth derives deep meaning from spreading her love of music and exposing children to the arts. Why? Because the universal and enduring nature of music touches us all profoundly and promotes authentic self-expression.
A simple way to connect impact and meaning: repeatedly ask yourself why and stay curious about your answers.
Your next chapter can be your most vibrant and purposeful one yet. The world is waiting to be enriched by your unique gifts—the purpose, impact, and meaning only you can bring. As Steven Pressfield wrote in The War of Art, "Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got."
Purpose and Positive Mental Health | Mayo Clinic
[Please note: This is the second article in the Women Doing Life on Purpose series. If you'd like to read the first one, you can do so here. And you can read the third one here. ]
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