How Do You Find Purpose in Your Work?

Thank you for posting that Caroline and thank you to Daniel for writing it.

I find it absolutely amazing that sometimes your life can be coasting along and things suddenly go really bad. It’s as if you are living in a little snow globe and somebody picked it up and shook it really hard.

You feel hopeless and lost and then suddenly one small act of kindness from someone can start a chain reaction. The one thing leads to another thing and then the momentum builds and suddenly you feel better and you have new purpose.

It’s in those times that small little signs come to you, like this post from Daniel, which I am going to forward on to a good friend whose new business failed and she’s going through a period of not knowing what to do next.

I feel like each day, if she (and any of us who are going through tough times) can find just a bit of inspiration in something small that it will continue to grow. I also believe that you receive the most when you open yourself up and are giving to others.

Once again your blog has inspired me.

Thanks for all you do!

Caroline, thanks for posting Daniel’s comment!

It is the first thing I read today and it really made my day!

“My most life changing moment was when i realized i will never get what i want until i stop wanting something.”

I also like Daniel believe that when we learn to let go of any attachment then we are really opening our energetic field to receive that what we have been truly looking for.

Daniel will make a great inspirational speaker and a great life coach.

Partners in Progress,
DiDi Alcheva

Truly an inspiring comment, and one that has the potential to change some lives. Daniel has certainly realized some deep ideas, especially for being only 29.

My personal realization came when I discovered I was happiest when I didn’t have to go into an office and I had some time to actually work on my animations. I used to work full time as a Project Manager for a company you’ve heard of. I now do part time work doing search engine optimization instead, leaving me free to work on my cartoons. I don’t eat out quite as much and I’ll likely never have a shiny new car but it turns out that I just don’t care.

Oh, and I see now that you’ve reached 1,000 RSS subscribers, rock on! That’s truly a great milestone, and one I hope to reach this year.

Hello Carolyn –

This comment really DID deserve it’s own post – Thanks! Megan

Thanks for sharing that with us. There are some great insights in Daniel´s comment! I “ran away”, too, to Guatemala and he´s right, the whole tropical paradise thing is highly overrated . . . it´s not as exotic when you live it!

I love the idea of taking something you don´t particularly feel inspired to do and turning it into something great. What a good idea, and he´s right, you can find meaning in absolutely anything that way.

Thank you Daniel and Caroline. As others have already said, that was truly inspiring.

I am going through my own midlife challenges and looking to find more purpose in my career. Some would think that nuts as I am already working for a nonprofit that helps children. But I’m really experiencing burnout and need to find something that excites me…the way this work did 15 years ago.

My own journey is why I started my blog about midlife career changes. It’s sorta my way of working through this by sharing my experience with others.

Caroline, nice post. Thanks for sharing it.

While you’re in this frame of mind, reading Victor Frankl’s amazing book, “Man’s Search for Meaning” may be apt too.

All success
Dr.Mani

A delightful post.

A little confused though. Acceptance leading to making changes. There is much to be explored here.

@Joanne, I like your snow globe analogy, that is exactly how I felt two months ago! Thankfully now the snow has settled and has left behind a very pretty picture so all is good.

@Diyana, yes that letting go process is a fundamental part of the Law of Attraction that I talked about recently. Indeed when you want something to the point of desperation you are focused on the lack of it and you get more of that lack. When you just let go and believe then it comes rushing at you like a tornado.

@Genesis, yeah that’s true. I remember years ago I worked as a temp on a 3 day booking punching numbers into an Excel spreadsheet for this drainage company. Hardly exciting work. I decided within the first 5 minutes that I could either feel sorry for myself and be miserable for 3 days or find away to enjoy it. I found a way to enjoy it. 11 months later I had built them a database that changed the way they worked, doubled what I was earning and won an award for achievement as a temporary worker.

@Coryan, that’s a nice blog you have there. I find that writing my thoughts down out loud in the form of my blog helps me sort stuff out in my head. I love blogging hehe :)

@Dr Mani, I have listened to the audio version – it was wonderful, if very disturbing too.

@Evan, there’s always much to be explored. Can you imagine how life would be if there was nothing left to think about or explore? That’s the whole point isn’t it?

Caroline…….your own willingness to be candid about your situation has been deeply inspiring in this world where one often wonders what is real.

This comment from Daniel is equally inspiring.

Perhaps there has been something going on in the Heavens but I reached a crisis of conscience, for want of a better description, over the Christmas period and have been struggling to find a reason to continue (not life – work)……

The words published here on this post are a gift.

Thank you

Dee

Happiness and purpose is found in the way of the bodhisattva – by giving up our cravings and attachments to things and ideas/dreams – we find ourselves feeling light and peaceful – there are no niggling feelings of worry for what we have or don’t have.

We should also note that nothing lasts forever and dreams, possessions – are only temporary – they can disappear as quick as the arise therefore – by adopting an understanding that craving brings attachment and attachment to things brings unsatisfactory -ness because things don’t last forever – one is able to give up attachment and feel a peace within.

From peace with ourselves – we are able to direct our attention to others in need – like Daniel suggests – giving to charity or attending the needs of the sick and dying. When done with a compassionate heart – or intentions and actions produce amazing feelings of satisfaction and self worth. Happiness lies in helping others. We grow.

So if you find yourself feeling unhappy and wish to loosen your attachments – then look for a way you can make a difference to someone else’s life – be it making a donation, or giving some time or skills, or clearing out things you don’t need anymore and giving them to charity – every little action has a ripple effect – your good intentions will project outwards and their goodness will penetrate both the recipient and you. The results are magical. So go on – be noble and give a little and generate that good karma.

Peace and metta and may all sentient beings be free from suffering!

Thank you for posting that Caroline and thank you to Daniel for writing it.

Its must be inspiring post!

Carolyn, again a great post, thanks for sharing this with us.

Wow,

exactly what I am looking for. I am looking for a freakin purpose too with my blog. I mean I post randomly about things I learn from IM events and just things that I read about but it seems to come off wack when I write it. I am trying to find a focus while still representing ME and a person. It is a hard thing to do and I do not know how to go about it.
Maybe I need to fly to Thailand and chill for 30 days in a temple too. Any advice?

Thanks,

Toki

Toki Tover’s last blog post..Richard Legg and Toki Tover – Interview Session