Living in Your Purpose: Purified and Liberated

Purpose by its definition is the reason we do what we do. For those of us who are blessed to find our purpose, and be able to live in it, there is an understanding that the reason behind what we do is something beyond ourselves. We do the work a higher power has called us to do, not for superficial reasons, but to serve others the way that we are served.

Discovery

I discovered my purpose not too long ago when I presented my first doctoral research paper at a conference. While I was initially reluctant to submit my proposal, a friend of mine made the convincing argument that in doing so, if I was selected, I would place myself in a better position as an academic, be more visible, have notoriety, etc. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the reason I should have been sharing my work was not so that people could know who I was, but so that my work could benefit others. As it turned out, it did. I met so many women (and men) who came to me and told me my work spoke to them, and that what I had learned through my research and shared with them, would help them better navigate the spaces they were in.

I did not know the true value of what I created, until I realized that I had not created it for myself. All the other things, the accolades, name recognition, came afterwards, and it was secondary. To be quite honest, I realized it wasn’t even something I cared about. Knowing that I had somehow changed someone’s life in the slightest, by sharing what I had learned, was far greater than anything I had experienced. Knowing that I could create lasting change in others simply by sharing my knowledge and telling my story, I let go of wanting to do anything else in life. I had found my purpose.

Success

In finding my purpose I have obtained a level of success I didn’t know existed. Success, for me, having the ability to live in my purpose, was almost instant. Since my first presentation, I have been called to continue to share my knowledge, inspire, and change the lives of many women and girls. 

Through my personal work, affiliations and partnerships, I have created a wider platform to reach a broader audience. I am now able to touch and change the lives of more people than I could have imagined. What I continue to marvel at, is that I do not have to work hard to live in my purpose and maintain my success. What I mean by that is— what I do is natural, and therefore is effortless, because it was a gift bestowed on me. This is what I have been called to do. Not only has the universe allowed me to do it seamlessly I am rewarded every step of the way. 

Fulfillment

When I set out on my journey to find my purpose, I did not have faith that I would discover what it was; and, if I was blessed to discover it, I was not confident that it would be fulfilling. Why? Because in most cases, purpose is affiliated with mission. Missionary work is not considered substantive, and substance is usually affiliated with the superficial. It was only until I surrendered to my calling that I realized how wrong I was. 

The words are written “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will measure back to you.” (Luke 6:38 NKJV); and so, it has been. I have been given an abundance of blessings in doing the work God has set out for me to do. He has placed me in a position to not want for anything, other than to share the gifts he has given me.