This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Being On Purpose

What gets YOU up in the morning?

What gets YOU up in the morning?

When I first met my husband, Holt, he was taking a class at my church based on Rick Warren's book, "A Purpose-Driven Life", which was a great experience for us to get to know each other.

We had group discussions that were followed by individual reflections about our unique purpose in life. This started a much longer conversation for me that continues even today. What is my purpose and am I living a purpose-driven life?

Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estateswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I started teaching workshops about how to discover our purpose. I soon realized all of this is based on the foundation of our personal values.  I also realized what is important in the morning of my life is no longer relevant in the afternoon just as Carl Jung said many years ago.  So, if what I believed to be so important when I was young is not even on my list now, then what is? This question led me to more questions!

What are my Passions?
Who am I?
What do I want?
Why am I here?
Where am I going?

In my search for meaning, I discovered my truths today were certainly not my truths yesterday and may indeed change tomorrow. I learned my one and only purpose in this life is to be happy. And, everyday happiness shows up in a whole new light. I often say I am the happiest the girl I know. I say this knowing my words have power. I am happy and I am living a purpose-driven life being in service to others. I believe everyone can live a happy life. There are some key ingredients to the recipe.

First cause to all things are your thoughts. Take Personal ReSponsibility for your thinking. You can read my earlier post about creating a "PR" plan. A full detailed plan will be in my new book that will be out in January 2013 to help you with your New Year's plans. Your thoughts create your feelings which creates your ReSponses. 

Second, know thyself:  What are your priorities and are they reflected in your daily actions? Redefine your values and reflect on how they show up in your life.

Find out what's happening in Decatur-Avondale Estateswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Third, be present in this moment. Feel your feet, legs, arms, and breathe deeply. Your body cannot be in the future or the past. Your body can only be here now. Affirm this thought, "I am happy and living a purpose-driven life." Make this your truth today. If there is something out of alignment, know You have the power within to change it. Take one step today to becoming the best person you can be and see how happy you feel!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Decatur-Avondale Estates