By Jerry Lopper
Answering the Important Questions
A life of purpose—a purpose driven life—that satisfying and fulfilling way to live that we all seek eludes many of us. Lacking a life mission and direction, we chase material goods, money, and power, yet yearn for the satisfaction and fulfillment of living a life of meaning, a life of internal reward and satisfaction.
We ask, “Who am I?”, “Why am I here?”, and “What is my life all about?” We look for answers that give us direction and knowledge that provides a life plan.
Instead we’re advised to ask, “What do I want?”, but get confused by the multitude of material wants that marketers bombard us with each and every day.
Start With a Eulogy
The following approach may seem too morbid for some, but if we fast forward to death (hopefully a very long fast forward) and if we then have awareness and understanding of the legacy we’re leaving behind, we will gain clarity of life purpose. For legacy is simply the captured summary of life purpose achieved.
Consider this. How might you feel if your eulogy is filled with empty platitudes? What if the private thoughts and whispered conversations you overhear leave you embarrassed, humiliated, and deeply saddened at the empty residue of your life?
Live Life with the End in Mind
Instead of just hoping for the best, write your own eulogy, craft your own legacy, and influence the honest, innermost thoughts of those you leave behind. Then live your life in such a way that these things are likely end results.
Of course, you have no control over the thoughts and perceptions other people have of you. But if you intentionally live your life in such a way that what you want to leave behind is likely to occur, you will have a plan for living with purpose and direction.
An Example
Executing this strategy (no pun intended) might look like the following:
Envision your loved ones at your funeral and “overhear” their conversations and inner-most thoughts. Hear them say, “She loved me completely and gave me the freedom and support to follow my own dreams. She always encouraged me and believed in me. Though I’ll miss her terribly, I know her spirit, values, and love will always be with me.”
Is this what you want? If your answer is “Yes!” wouldn’t you feel a sense of purpose and direction by living up to this standard? Now your life has purpose and meaning, by living each day in ways that contribute to the legacy you want to leave behind.
Create Your Legacy
Start today with the end in mind. Create your legacy. Write your eulogy.
© 2007 Jerry Lopper. With a rich background in technology, motivation, and the journey of successful living, Jerry offers Life Purpose Coaching for groups and individuals. He publishes many internet articles on Personal Development and Purposeful Growth, and is a Feature Writer at Suite101. His book, “Jump for Joy, Clearing the hurdles to an easy life” describes ten ways to ease your life and is available at nominal cost directly from the publisher. You can reach Jerry at [email protected].
