Comments on: Do You Have a Purpose?

By: cna training

cna training — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:26:12 +0000

found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later

By: BK

BK — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:01:43 +0000

This brings me back to what I read in Viktor Frankl’s book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ where he mentioned that most people are looking for meaning in their lives when they should be the one giving meaning to life. It is a little like your post ‘Just Be’ and yet we cannot be oblivious to our surroundings. I too, wish to be an example of how to be and not how not to be. Thank you for the reminder that we have an impact on the people around us and we can continue to make a difference.

By: BigLittleWolf

BigLittleWolf — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:53:20 +0000

What a wonderful story. (And thank you for the link!)

I think we can all relate to the oblivious woman in line, and so many examples for what not to be. I believe that whatever shapes us – whether the result of negative or positive experiences – is all of value. I believe I am a better parent for not doing many of the things that my own mother did. I believe I am a better manager (when in that role) for having experienced terrible managers. I believe I am more capable of joy for the many kind and giving spirits I’ve encountered at some of the strangest moments, who’ve been models for joy.

As for purpose? Some elements we serve intentionally, and others, unknowingly. And all of it is connective tissue, whether we realize it or not. A sort of human communal butterfly effect?

By: Fatibony

Fatibony — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:01:00 +0000

Hi Belinda , This is a lovely post which I read right through and what caught my attention is the quote at the bottom, life is what we make it , even though it may sound sometimes too good to be true ……and I want to believe we all have a purpose in life ….

By: Keith Davis

Keith Davis — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:39:36 +0000

Hi Belinda
Nice opening “Oh, boy, lecture alert”… made me smile.

I like the cross out effect used in:
chocolatey, buttery goodness…changed to… healthy, low-fat muffin
A clever technique that I must try.

Of course you are right, we are all connected. Blogging and the blogosphere shows just how true that is.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:52:43 +0000

Belinda – For years, my purpose was to raise my children to be productive members of society. I think that is mostly done. YIPPEE! So I am searching for my next purpose. I know, while I may not find it, it will find me in the perfect timing.

You may want to check out what my friend Ben wrote yesterday – or maybe Wed – http://bothsidesofben.blogspot.com/2010/03/one-two.html – not quite purpose but close.

By: ayo

ayo — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:20:01 +0000

hi belinda,
i agree with Phils comment, your posts are just so……..
purpose hmmm!!! remember my blog is Discovering Purpose but I’m not in any way, shape or form like the purpose writers.
We all have a purpose and the best way to find out our purpose is to be ourselves and do things constructively. We all have potentials, talents, strengths and of course weakness but if we learn to be ourselves and accept who we are and work with what we’ve got constructively, it makes a whole lot of difference. Purpose is totally different from name it claim it or fake it to make it.(i stand to be corrected)
take care belinda

By: Belinda Munoz

Belinda Munoz — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:57 +0000

@Tony, the pleasure is mine for having found you through Sara and being able to link to your wonderful drawings. I’ve only recently “met” you and your art and words have already moved me. I look forward to more. Thanks!

@Phil, thank you! You’re right, mind-blowing is a great word to describe how we impact others with our existence. Maybe that’s why some of us would rather believe that we have to “find” purpose rather than to “live” purpose. The words you use: reveling, floating, exploring — these words aptly capture what gut-over-proof means for me. Such liberating words.

@Eva, ah yes, imperceptible is a great word choice! Love the picture you paint of your commute. I’m always game for receiving good cheer myself and would like to be on the spreading end a little bit more. Thanks!

@Justin, always great to have you participate in the discussion. I’m not sure I fully understand your comment. You refer to “a purpose that pushes you to grow and live more completely”. Do you mean like pursuing goals and dreams? I may not have done a good enough job of addressing this in the beginning. Also, like Sara, I wondered too about “purpose based writers”. Thanks!

@Sara, wow and wow! For me being touched by your generous words and for you naming one of my life’s purposes. Thanks, as always, for the awesome energy you bring here!

@Patty, I always feel wiser after reading your words. This: “purpose-finding is the “it” of our time” — pokes holes through a lot of inflated beliefs we’ve become comfortable with as a society and as individuals. Like I said in response to Phil, “seeking/finding purpose” for some of us is a lot less intimidating than “living purpose” and so we opt for the former when it’s the latter that’s infinitely more fulfilling. I could probably write a whole post as inspired by your comment. Thanks!

@Fr. Michael, I look forward to reading it in my reader! That’s a beautiful quote and the last phrase, “…each of us is necessary” — I’ll be meditating on that. Thanks!

By: Fr. Michael

Fr. Michael — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:54:04 +0000

Belinda,
I absolutely believe with every fiber of my being that there is a purpose to our lives. I just finished giving a talk to a bunch of high school students on that very topic. And I do plan to write about it on my blog. You preempted me.
When we know our purpose it fuels our lives. We are not accidents. If I may quote Pope Benedict: “We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.”
Great post as always. And full breakfast is better…

By: Patty - Why Not Start Now?

Patty - Why Not Start Now? — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:44:30 +0000

What an insightful thought, Belinda: “Do you have a purpose? I’m wondering if this is even a good question anymore.” As you so well illustrate in your wonderful post, purpose is everywhere. It just is. Can’t get away from it. And we have many purposes. Yet, purpose-finding is the “it” of our time; we’re supposedly incomplete without naming it and following it. But I wonder, how did others manage to live before all the purpose talk began? Just fine, I think. Often clients will tell me they don’t know their purpose. But guess what? What they’re really saying is it’s immensely frightening to just be who they know, deep down, they are because it might not fit in with who the world thinks they should be. Or it might not work out. Oh, and I’ve done all the purpose stuff myself, and it doesn’t make a darn bit of difference. I can never even remember my purpose “statement.” It’s like blah, blah, blah. Just words. Because in the end purpose resides within. There are no words for it.