Do you know your life’s purpose?
By Justin and Clara Hamel
What if knowing the answer to one question could potentially add years to your life? Having this answer could decrease depression and anxiety, increase resilience, and improve overall health and well-being. In fact, people who can answer this question live an average of 7-8 years longer. So, what is this question?
The question is: What is your life purpose? It is something many people ponder; however, a large survey showed only 25% of Americans have a definitive answer to this question.
Why is the answer to this question so elusive for us? The inaccessibility could be attributed to several factors. First, although the idea of a sense of purpose is a universal human experience, different cultures emphasize different aspects of it, or prioritize different sources of meaning. For instance, U.S. culture often defines and views success through materialism, and this does not always align with someone fulfilling their sense of purpose. Conversely, a culture that emphasizes intangible aspects of success, such as personal growth, self awareness and meaningful relationships, aligns itself with the development and nurturing of a sense of purpose.
In addition, the U.S. has a greater focus on individual achievement and self-expression. Cultures within which the majority of the population can easily identify a sense of purpose tend to have a more collectivist view on the world. As a whole, these cultures promote moving beyond serving self interest to serve something larger than themselves.
So, how can we identify or align ourselves more with our sense of purpose? We can start with answering a few more questions. What matters most to you? What principles and beliefs guide you? Once you answer these questions, you can identify how your strengths, skills and talents can converge with these priorities to promote what matters to you. In this you can begin to define your sense of purpose.
Remember, life’s purpose does not have to be complex. It can be as simple as waking each morning with the commitment to show love and kindness to those you encounter. The ripples of a simple but genuine aspiration can spread far beyond ourselves, while influencing our decisions and creating meaning in our lives.
After using the above questions to hone in on your life purpose, you have just one question left. How does your current lifestyle show what matters, your principles, your beliefs and your sense of purpose? We often live such fast-paced lives that we fail to notice when our thoughts, activities and schedule are not reflecting what matters to us or what we define as our purpose. Consider the changes you can make to ensure your life is an embodiment of your purpose.
Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 900 South Main St., Suite A in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.
