I talk a lot about the idea of purpose in Chapter X.
Sometimes I get the idea that the weight of that word becomes a detriment in moving forward. While purpose can be lofty and world-shaking, it needn’t be. Purpose can be a path of simple, intentional actions that are fulfilling. The key here is intentional (in other words, on purpose).
Life before Chapter X was filled with purpose (on purpose). After all, there was hard-wired meaning in our daily lives. Financial security, wealth building, professional success and family responsibilities are pretty damned good motivators of purpose.
Let’s shift our thinking to drive our actions in a more directed (intentional) manner. What provides interest, excitement, meaning, enjoyment, satisfaction, joy, delight, jubilance and happiness…. need I go on?
The key is moving towards those positive states of being with purposeful intent, matched with actions that support your desires. As an example, as you are aware, my reclaimed life in music is completely joyful for me. But I am not “there” yet, in terms of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to continue growth.
Besides working with a trumpet teacher, I have lined up an instructor in music theory to help me fill in the chasm in my lack of knowledge. In addition, I set my intention to practice daily to improve my stamina, technique, range and comfort on the instrument. I have also enrolled in a second ensemble where improvisation is a central theme. I have intentionally put myself in the crucible of discomfort, but my purpose is clear.
I have heard from many of you that finding that thing is a challenge. That’s okay. Think about your lack of direction before you found your career, or even when you were younger, searching for the subjects or activities that lit you up. It’s a process, my friend. It’s trial and error; it’s testing and trying. It’s finding what doesn’t excite you and digging around for something else.
It might be something that is awesome for a while and then becomes less exciting. The key is to keep moving forward with positive expectancy and that you match your desires with actions—with purpose, on purpose—joyfully.
