Your Life's Purpose

Have you ever read The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo? It's a fantastic book about a young man's journey to find his personal legend. My book group read it recently and a question that came up in discussion was "is it narcissistic to pursue your personal dreams?"

I say no. It's our responsibility to fulfill our life's purpose. But what about the people who step on others along the way? You know the type. They're only concerned with their own interests. They don't open their hearts and minds to the people and the world around them. As I like to put it, "Life in the Key of Me."

Being a writer on the path to publication teaches you a very valuable lesson. Other writers will have success when you aren't. It's like when all your friends are getting married and you have to keep going to those puffy, frilly, cake eating, weddings alone. What do you do? You certainly don't make it about yourself.

What has led so many to turn their focus on the world inward? I have my opinion on it, of course. We live in a society where everyone is a winner and no one can come in second place because it might hurt their feelings. We've become so worried about boosting self-esteem all we've done is create mediocrity and people (children and adults) who think the world should revolve around them.

Technology has added to this interior spiral. Don't get me wrong the advancement of technology is a great and needed thing, but now we are bombarded with ways people can tell you about their trips to the bathroom, their need to have a drink because the day was too difficult, or their crush on the neighbor's cousin's, father's uncle's spouse. Way too much information if you ask me.

Let's go back to that young boy in The Alchemist. He pursued his personal legend, his life's purpose, with his eyes and heart open so he could receive the signs telling him how to continue on his path. When you shut down you miss grace operating in your life, your actions are driven by negativity, and your piano is stuck in the key of "Me."

Your life's purpose waits for you. Open your heart and your mind and when you ask someone how they're doing, really listen. This time it might need to be about them.

Talk to you later...