Change is inevitable, and happens in all areas of our lives. Right now, the world is definitely evolving – perhaps faster than ever before. Increasing polarisation. Social justice. AI. The climate crisis. The list can seem endless.
We can, of course, ignore all this, but doing so risks getting left behind. So how do we find a way to ground ourselves? To respond, rather than react. The key is finding out what truly matters to us.
At this point, the eye-rolling might start. Many of us have had bad experiences with the idea of purpose – crappy motivational posters stuck on the wall at work, or an over-enthusiastic self-help guru spouting clichés … but the thing is, finding something that we deeply care about will make a difference.
Some lucky people find their purpose early in life, but for most of us, it’s not a quick, easy thing. It’s a slow process of uncovering. We try this, we try that. Some of it sticks, some of it doesn’t. As we accumulate experiences and ideas, keeping some, and leaving others behind, we start to see the connections – and then to understand them … until – eventually – our purpose emerges.
Patience is crucial. Doing this work takes time and effort, but as we figure it out, we realise that the idea of ‘purpose’ isn’t just wishy-washy hyperbole. Instead, it provides us with the quiet power that comes from knowing who we truly are.
