Each stage of life is focused on a different purpose. Think about it. In our formative years, the idea of purpose might look like getting our parents’ approval, being recognized as a good athlete or maybe becoming a top student.
During our years working, our purpose centers around financial success, maybe raising a family and building security. Our purpose is clear, climb as high on the ladder as we can and reap the associated rewards.
This second level of life is built on top of what we learned in the first stage. Our levels of drive, motivation, intellect, interest are derived from the messages we learned growing up.
I envision it like a honing or sharpening of our beings from lumps of skin and bones as babies, to razor-sharp instruments of competencies at the pinnacle of our careers.
But here we are, transitioning to a time where all that focus, sharpening, honing and devotion is no longer a useful tool—at least not to the same degree. In Chapter X, it seems what serves us best is a flattening of the sharpness and the ability to break free of habits put in place over six decades.
Instead of focusing on wealth-building and career success, our purpose needs to be refocused on issues far broader—and far more expansive in our thinking and actions. This chapter demands a willingness to reflect, explore, and find pieces of ourselves that have been ignored.
We must test ideas and follow our thoughts to actions that bring us meaning. It’s not easy. It’s not even simple. It takes determination to break away from the constraints of our habits, beliefs and behaviors to redefine our existence in the world.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.