Life Isn’t About That One Purpose

“What is my purpose?” We’ve all asked this question at some point of our life. If I asked you, could you tell me what your purpose is? Most of my friends would tell me, it’s becoming a teacher, a doctor, an architect or some are even unsure what it is. If you’re reading this and thinking about that profession or career in your head right now, I bet you could tell me. But, what if I told you, that isn’t your purpose? What! Then what is a purpose?

Up until recently, I saw the word “Purpose” as a dream, or that profession I wanted to become. That purpose would have brought me fame and fortune, and I bet you thought the same. I recently watched the new Pixar movie Soul, and the word Purpose took on a whole new meaning for me. If you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to watch it!

Like in the film, the term Purpose is taken literally as a profession or that dream that you wanted to become as a child. This so-called “purpose” drives you, moves you and you become passionate about it. We all strive to work hard in order to reach that dream, that sometimes we would do anything just to achieve it. But did you know, finding or striving for that purpose can also become a double edged sword.

In the movie Soul, the main character Joe, strived to be a Jazz musician, Joe basically goes on a ton of auditions but doesn’t get in. So he takes a job that is closest to music which is becoming a middle school music teacher. Then one day, he lands the audition and gets to play with the band of his dreams. Although he contemplates feeling like that, he expected to feel so much more. He thought finally reaching his purpose he would feel content but, why does it feel empty? There’s a scene in the film where Joe talks to his regular Barber, who used to be a musician but never got the chance to. In this scene he finds out that his friend, even though not reaching his dream to also become a musician he was completely content with being a Barber and in fact, he sees the beauty of doing it!

For me, there have been many weeks where I feel like each day is repeating. Even though I am doing what I love, the truth of the matter is, you can have a passion for something and still get bored with it. So does that mean once “my purpose” dies down, is it still my life’s purpose? It’s not! The movie has taught me that obsessing over finding one’s life’s purpose can be dangerous. How? Joe spent his whole life doing everything he could to become a Jazz performer, that he never got the chance to really live life, by building connections or creating memories and he didn’t realize until later that he was blessing his students with his teachings.

Like I said earlier, a life purpose is usually associated with money or fame but, I've come to learn that it isn’t! Yes, there will be days where you can get bored with what you consider your life purpose is, but don’t fret, because as humans, our minds always change. You don’t know but the very next day you’ll be up and about again doing what you love! We didn’t come into this world to do one specific thing. A life’s purpose isn’t based on what your dream or profession is, it’s about living through different experiences. Experiencing the negative, the positive, breathing air, even just walking! We are meant to enjoy the little things of everyday and that is simply our purpose.