Monday, September 20, 2010

Questioning-The-Purpose-Driven-Life


What is a purpose driven life? Do we seek our purpose in our own lives and in our own time, or is our purpose chosen for us? This “deep thought” crossed my mind as I watched a movie on the Lifetime Channel tonight. When we are young we are constantly seeking to find ourselves, to free ourselves from the conventions of our parents, and to become that person we know in our hearts we are meant to be.
Did we begin our search for purpose from the time we were born? Did we understand the value of truth, of life, of God?
I think back to when my daughter was a baby, a young child, a teenager, and now as the adult she has become. She has always had a goal in mind, a desire to forge into the fire and get exactly what she wants. Even as a toddler she had to do things her way. My husband always told her she should have become an attorney because she can debate any issue and win. We are fortunate that all our children grew up with parents who taught them the difference between right and wrong, who said no probably more often than we needed to, but we have been blessed that our children have “found” their purpose in life, at least for today.
My search for my purpose in life has led me down many roads, through many mistakes, but it has always led me back to the light that steadily guides me through each day.
In my work as a teacher, I influence many young lives every day. I wonder if this is my purpose in life. Am I here at this moment in time to teach, to speak, to show one particular child their way, their purpose in life? I don’t know, so I persevere and try to teach my students to be the best that they can be, to follow the “rules”, to express themselves, to just be kind one to another. Some students have been so battered by life itself that they are unsure as to their purpose in even being at school. To these the only purpose the school serves is as a refuge, a place of safety, of the security of the sameness of the every days. They know at school they will find food, shelter, and someone who will hear their cry. As a teacher, I can only guide them through my words and actions as I teach them the curriculum they have to know. I can enforce rules by not being harsh, but consistent in my discipline, and by letting the students know that they are safe within the environment of my classroom. In my classroom there will be order, their will politeness, there will be caring one for another. I try to instill in each student the understanding of the strong need for them to be responsible for their own words and actions. At times, I feel my purpose is fruitless, and some folks tell me I should just let the students play more and try to earn their trust by trying to be their best friend. Yet, I am a role model of their future. If I show them that the world wants only clowns, then we would have far too many clowns in the world. I want to reach each student and draw out what they most desire to become, even if they don’t know it yet.
My search for purpose has led me in the direction of writing as well. When I was a child, I wrote secretly to express feelings and desires I had no other way of sharing. As I grew older, my purpose for writing changed as well. The purpose of my novel Moon Dance grew from a desire to learn more about my aunt and her life as a cattle rancher. As this research progressed, my purpose changed once again as well as the very style of my writing. Rather than strictly historical research, my novel bloomed into a story of a young woman and a young man’s struggle to overcome obstacles in their life through their faith in God and their strong family ties. As I continued my writing, it suddenly took on a life of its own and became a passionate story of deep and abiding love.
My purpose now as an author is to continue writing, as I always have; ever waiting to be inspired by a thought, a desire, or even a cloud in the sky. And yet even now, I ask myself “What is my purpose? What is a purpose driven life? Do we seek our purpose in our own lives and in our own time, or is our purpose chosen for us? “
Our children are grown, our grandchildren are growing up as well, and many of my former students have graduated and began on their own journey to find their own purpose in life. I just carry on one day at a time; teaching, writing, or speaking about writing as I seek to find where my “purpose” will lead me next.
Blessings,                                                                                                                                             Susan

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"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy." ~George Bernard Shaw

"We all possess the thunder of pure fury and the calm breeze of tranquility.  If it wasn't for tomorrow, how much would we get done today?  Whatever your purpose... embrace it completely.  Get lost in the clouds every now and then so you never lose sight of God's wonder. " ~Paul Vitale

2 comments:

  1. Susan,
    What a wonderful post. Purpose...I don't think too many people give this word much thought. Today, you reminded me of what life is really all about. Purpose...yes...purpose. You are a great teacher and you have some very lucky students! :)

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  2. Thank you, Dolores. I truly appreciate your kind words. :)
    I pray I am the teacher and guide my students need as they enter a new chapter in their young lives. I must admit that I wrote this post as I struggled within myself to try and overcome a hurtful statement. Writing has always been a catharsis for me. It's often a thought-provoking conversation with myself, which serves to help me keep myself on the right path. Hopefully, it will be thought-provoking for others as well. Blessings to you always, Susan :)

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