A MEANINGFUL LIFE

“Living Life on Purpose” is a timely theme when starting a New Year.  Beginnings and endings continuously encircle our lives.  Morning sun dawns to remind us of new beginnings only to relinquish to the night moon.  The ebb and flow of life is most evident at the beginning of a new year.  Something in our bones arouses us to imagine our future potential.    New Year’s resolutions remind us that we yearn for something more, something meaningful.   The top trending annual resolutions include becoming healthier, losing weight, enjoying life more, spending less money, as well as increasing time with family.  Does this sound familiar?  Better health, more joy, and restored relationships are the crux of what we seek.  “A wealthy person has a thousand wishes, and an unhealthy person has one” is an old saying.  An ill person has laser focus on improving health, but we do not have to wait to become sick or create resolutions to live a meaningful life.

The good news is that the new year motivates us to contemplate the future.  The challenging news is that the success rate of fulfilling resolutions is only about 8%.   Even with this low achievement, I prefer to focus on the positive aspect of setting resolutions.  We are searching for meaning and purpose, so our lives may be more fulfilling—happier.  When we watch the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, we realize that life’s meaning is intertwined in relationships.  The first bond is with our self in how we value the gift of our life.  The second is through our affiliations and how we project self-beliefs onto others.  Life is relational—we learn about ourselves through our interpersonal associations.   Creating a meaningful life is an invitation to become our most authentic self.  Assessing our values, needs, and dreams influences future choices.  We are guardians of the greatest gift—our life.  How we wrap ourselves in thoughts, words, and actions determines how we will present the gift of “me” to the world.  Designing a meaningful life is the beginning of changing your life.

Question:  Have three conversations about a meaningful life and write down what you discover.

CREATING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE VISION

Carl Jung stated, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”  What does it mean to you “to become who you truly are”?  How do you honor the privilege of being YOU?  Self-discovery is a voyage that requires curiosity and commitment.   How curious are you about your life?  Do you pause before acting and assess the consequences of choices or do you blindly meander along pretending your decisions are not linked to future outcomes?  Our actions reveal our future moment-by-moment, but most of us do not pay attention.   Forming a clear vision based on what brings meaning to our lives is paramount in achieving our dreams.  We hinder our vision of what we may become because we are blinded by who we have been.  Frequently ask yourself: “Who am I? What do I stand for? What do I value? or What moves me?”  Build your life on aspirations, not on an ancient history that no longer serves you.  Dreams of winning the lottery wastes precious time that erodes our potential.  Fantasy is easier than reality, but imaginary daydreaming results in disappointment.  You hold your destiny in your hands—begin by creating a purposeful life vision.

Take time to complete the exercises below and let the results guide you into a remarkable future.

Become the teacher and the student, letting your deepest wisdom guide the lifelong learner within.  Based on the outcome of these reflections, create a life purpose statement?  Look for recurring themes that incorporate your life’s mission.  Your life purpose statement should be brief—two words to one sentence.

Question: My life purpose is …

SET GOALS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS

After clarifying what brings meaning to your life and establishing your unique life purpose statement, the next step is creating concrete goals with defined action steps.  To manifest intentions, it is important to write goals down.  Only about 3% of the population create written and measurable goals.  Research validates goal setters are significantly more successful.  Creating goals that are specific, time driven, and measurable are key components.  Reviewing goals daily is recommended, as this keeps us focused and progress can be evaluated.   I have had clients who did not want to write down goals because their perfectionistic expectations made them feel overwhelmed and trapped.  This is YOUR life–you can change your mind!  Sometimes we outgrow a goal, or we decide we were not that motivated to achieve it.  Goals are guideposts that support us in achieving our dreams—imperfection is welcomed!  Review the “Goal Areas” below and write down 1-3 goals for each area.

For each goal, describe exactly what you want to achieve and identify a timeline.  Review your list daily.  Consider visualizing yourself successfully achieving goals.  Monitor your success.   An additional step to consider completing is to establish your three highest lifetime goals.  What are three major priorities you want to achieve during your life?  This overarching list of three major goals serves as a guide to a meaningful life and creating a legacy.  How do you want to use your life and make a difference?

Question:  Accomplishing my goals will___________________________?

LEGACY – HOW WILL I BE REMEMBERED?

William James artfully expressed the meaning of LEGACY— “The great use of a life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.” Your legacy is what you leave behind.  How will your existence live on through others?  Reflecting on your history will provide clues to your legacy.  Ask yourself: “What have I done in my life that has made me feel good?  What are my greatest successes?  How have I touched others?” Your responses will lead you to the answer of “What is the greatest use of my life?”   Today is the first day of your future, be mindful of how you engage your energy.  Think about five people who have most impacted you.  Their legacies reside within your memories and influence your interactions.  A conglomerate of limitless treasures from others’ legacies radiates from your lifeforce.  Become aware of the abundance you have been given.  Legacy is not a grandiose inheritance or notoriety, but simple gestures that linger in remembering hearts.  We are all connected and when a recollection is shared about you, your legacy reverberates beyond your presence.

What is your legacy?  If you sat down right now and wrote down your legacy, would you be satisfied?  I challenge you to think about your legacy.  Whether you appreciate it or not, you are writing your heritage every day.  How you treat a stranger or greet a loved one has an impact.  Whether you write a book, raise a child, or are a generous charitable contributor, you leave a trace of yourself.  Aware or not, you are shaping your legacy with each encounter.  Starting with the end in mind on how you want to be remembered leads to “now” decisions.  How have I loved?  How have I made a difference?  How have I been generous?  How have I let others know how much they mean to me?  A cell phone message sent from a 9/11 victim said, “I love you; I love you.  That is all that has ever mattered.  Live your full life and I will always be with you.”

Live your FULL LIFE—this is the ultimate message of “Living Life on Purpose.”

Question:  What is your legacy?