What gives your life purpose? What gives your life meaning? Often in our lives as human beings, we tend to get so caught up in what is going on outside of us, the news and issues around the world, technology, and as college students, the dynamic, on-the-go lifestyle that surrounds us. Do you ever take the time to be fully present with just yourself?
In a developing stage of our lives as college students, it feels like are so many expectations and standards within the society we live in and also within ourselves, but to live a life of meaning, we must find the true purpose that lies within our souls. The process of finding our true purpose in life is not an easy task and comes with great courage. As leaders of our own lives, being rooted in personal meaning is what gives us the strength to explore our purpose in this world. When I take a step back from the present and focus in on one simple, yet complicated question, “Why am I here (at Gustavus, on the planet, etc.)” it brings me back to life and energizes me to my core, giving me the motivation to do what my hear desires in life. As Kent Keith would write, “Finding meaning is important, because personal meaning is an intrinsic motivator. People are intrinsically motivated when they do something because they want to, not because they have to.”
Our outward expression of who we truly are can be defined in our ways of life reflected onto others. Kent Keith also suggests four ways to help find meaning in our lives: Love people, help people, live ethically, and don’t be too attached to material things. Stepping back and checking the motives and intentions of every action in life is such an empowering moment to have with yourself. There are many ways in which society wants to conform us to what it has established as a norm. I say, live out your life; seek to strengthen who you truly are as a person. “Reach down as well as up. No roots, no branches.” With and open heart and mind, paying attention to your true self, let your life speak as Parker Palmer puts it wonderfully.
“Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent.”
-Nicole
Nicole I definitely agree! I love how you referenced your core with your lives true meaning because I believe that they act one in the same, being that, one must look deep inside their core to truly find what their true purpose is. I find it amazing how when I actually can take the time (sometimes it hard) to step back and look at the bigger picture, I sometimes question the purpose behind my actions, but as I looker deeper into my core, it all registers with me that my purpose is bigger than just this simple aspect of it. My purpose is being channeled through my current actions, and will develop clearer as I continue forward.
Nicole, I really enjoyed reading your piece. It really makes you think more about who you are as a person. I like how you said, how when you ask yourself the question “Why am I here?” it brings you back to your core. For me, when I find myself making hard decisions, I always try to bring myself back to that question and usually it makes my decision a lot easier. I think it was a great reminder for all of us to think about “Why are we here?”, like Heather said it is such a powerful question, that can lead to so many answers.
Nicole, this was really well written and I am also glad that you chose to write about this topic. Like Kaitlyn said, trying to discover my true self is a major goal I have for myself this year and the readings you quoted have helped me begin on my way. I like how how you gave an example of how someone can step back from their life and check in with themself by simply asking the question “Why am I here?” This is a powerful question and leads to empowering thoughts. The courage to really listen to yourself and discover what living a life of meaning means to you is not an easy thing, and is something that can always be worked on and improved.
I’m really glad you tackled the topic of finding out who your “true self” is. For me, that has been one of the most thought-provoking concepts in SLP so far. The way that you tied all of the readings together really emphasized the importance of digging inward to discover a purpose that can truly sustain you. For me, I am still at learning. I loved how you said that it is a task that requires great courage. That is a fundamental goal for me in SLP this year, to be courageous enough to tackle the task of revealing my “true self”, and working towards living a life of authenticity and purpose.