Research shows that a life with purpose is a meaningful and fulfilling life and those with a purpose driven life are happier than those without the guidance of a life plan. It might be that overall purpose helps a person transcend the negative events life presents us all, to rebound relatively quickly and continue pursuit of the life plan.
But what does a person do if purpose of life has so far eluded them? What if one has no plan?
Approach this as you would with any goal you wish to achieve, start with the end result you want and work back from there.
What if--fully aware, yet invisible to the living--you could attend your own funeral? What if you could be that proverbial fly on the wall taking in the eulogy as well as individual conversations? And not just the platitudes people tend to utter out of respect for the departed and their loved ones, but the frank, honest, objective truths about what the deceased--you--meant to them in their most private thoughts and conversations.
If you could hear all of this and then reverse time back to the present, what would you do differently?
While living, we still have the chance to influence the eulogy, the legacy, and the most private, intimate thoughts about us at life's end. What greater life purpose than to live in such a way that those who care most about us are able to truthfully utter just what we want to hear upon life's end?
Your self-crafted eulogy and legacy will provide the purpose and meaning in life that characterizes the good life. Begin by thinking ahead to your final days and visualizing how you want to be remembered by those closest to you. What personal strengths might they recall? What accomplishments will they remember?
What do you want your closest relationships to be able to truthfully say about you? Be honest and sincere about what you want at this time.
This is not a time to be humble. This is a time to search deep within your soul to clarify who you are and how you wish to be remembered. This is your legacy.
Fast forwarding (a long way we hope) to the end of life will help you clarify what is most important to you. Seeing a vivid picture of the future, while comparing that future to now, helps you see clearly the path to take in life--your purpose.
Make a list of the major strengths of character and accomplishments you wish to hear in your own eulogy. Then convert each to an affirmation.
For example, if you wish to be remembered by your children as a supportive and unconditionally loving parent, an appropriate affirmation may be, "I fully support each of my children equally, and I show them by my words and actions that I love each one completely and unconditionally.
Now live your life such that everything you say and do, every action, every plan, every dream, is consistent with each affirmation and moves you forward to the end you visualize.
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Jerry Lopper - IPPA member, business and engineering degrees. Jerry's passion for personal development shows in 5 books, hundreds of articles & ...
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