What is a Life Purpose?

Written by Jerry on February 20, 2010 – 8:47 am -

What is a Life Purpose?

“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”  Robert Byrne

When you hear the term “life purpose,” you probably envision people who are following a higher calling, like priests, nuns, missionaries, doctors and scientists.  In other words, people who are doing important work in the world.

People like this are certainly living a purpose, but you may be surprised to learn that a life purpose doesn’t have to be so magnanimous either.  In fact, throughout the pages of this e-book, I’m going to demonstrate that purposeful living can take virtually limitless forms – most of which you’ve probably never considered before.

The dictionary defines purpose as: 

1) an object or result aimed at : INTENTION 
2) RESOLUTION, DETERMINATION

What does this tell us?  A “purpose” can be as simple as an intention or a resolution.  So, a “life purpose” is really nothing more than a commitment or resolve to live in a certain way and achieve specific objectives.  If that sounds a bit confusing, don’t worry.  We’re going to clear it up in a hurry.

For now, just know that you DON’T have to have a deep inner “calling” in order to have a life purpose.  You don’t have to give away your worldly possessions and become a missionary in order to make a positive difference in the world.

In fact, you may be surprised to discover that realizing and living your life purpose will be a comfortable and enjoyable process.  Bit by bit, you’ll create life circumstances that are totally suited to who you are, your likes and dislikes, natural talents, and much more.

It’s the kind of inner journey that changes everything – from emptiness to satisfaction, from boredom to passion, from aimlessness to unbridled joy and beyond!

Do you have trouble believing that’s possible for you?  Do you see your current circumstances as brick walls that you can’t break through?  Do you worry that you’re stuck forever exactly where you are?

If so, I ask you to set aside any feelings of doubt and skepticism for now.  Be willing to believe that your life DOES have meaning, and be open to the insights come when you start seeking your purpose.


Never Stop Exploring Life!

Jerry L Saunders, RM

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Live Consciously

Written by Jerry on January 30, 2010 – 1:08 am -

 

Have you ever seen ants searching for food? They just follow one another in an almost endless game that seems to drone on and on. Are you living ants life – going from day to day, doing the same thing, the same way, and nothing ever changes?

If so, you’re not living consciously.

Conscious living is being aware of your life and the things you’re doing, moment by moment. It’s about taking the time to stop and smell the roses so you can see where you fit into the big picture. Besides adding more beauty and peace in your life, living consciously helps you live with a passion and purpose that few ever realize.

Small Steps to Living More Consciously

Transforming your humdrum life into one filled with passion is easier than you may think! There are dozens of little things, you can do almost effortlessly and that take just a minute or two, to live more consciously starting today!

Here are a few:

1. Stop. Take some time to stop throughout the day and look around. Be aware of where you are and what’s around you. Become conscious of your surroundings and notice how you fit into them.

2. Notice. Really see the details such as the green leaves on the trees, or the condensation dripping down the side of the cup. 

3. Feel. Get in tune with what your body feels and actually search out the sensations of your fingers touching a glass or your toes touching inside your socks. Feel your chest rise and fall with each breath.

4. Be in the Now. Take deep breaths and be in the moment. Don’t think about what you’ve done or what you still have to do, just take a minute or two to just breathe!

5. Learn. Take a few minutes each day to try something new. Pick up a book you’ve always wanted to read or learn a new skill. You will find yourself being more conscious when trying something new than when doing something you already know very well.

There are so many things you can do to create a better life. Living consciously is one of the easiest changes to make because it takes so little time, can be done spontaneously and has great rewards. Take a few of these ideas, add a few of your own, integrate them into your routine, and begin enjoying the benefits of living consciously today!

Never Stop Exploring Life!

Jerry L Saunders, RM

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Bringing Eastern Philosophy to the West

Written by Jerry on January 9, 2010 – 6:18 am -

Bringing Eastern Philosophy to the West

 
You may have been advised to spend more time in the "present moment," but what does this really mean? Present moment thinking has been the concentration of eastern religions for thousands of years.
 
Religion And Philosophy
 
Some people are tempted to turn away immediately when Eastern philosophy is brought up just because they think it might threaten their core religious beliefs. There are no religious impositions though; the present moment is available to everyone in every moment no matter who you are. In fact, most religions, in one way or another, agree with the belief of living in the moment, not in the past or future.
 
Eastern Religions And The Present Moment
 
There are many different divisions of religion in the East, just like the West. Many of them differ with certain beliefs and philosophies, but many agree on the importance of the present moment.
 
In recent decades, the West has been picking up on these ancient philosophies and many people use these lessons to help cope with modern problems. It works and it proves that the human condition has always been the same.
 
The Present Moment Defined
 
The present moment can be defined as your attention being solely on what you’re doing right now. It’s when you’re not thinking of "other things." If you’re washing the dishes, your mind is fully aware when you start the faucet, grip the sponge, and wipe the plates clean. There are no other thoughts in your mind other than what it is you’re doing in the moment.
 
While staying in the present moment may seem boring at times, you’ve probably already felt its true power without really knowing it. Read more »
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Take It Easy

Written by Jerry on November 7, 2009 – 4:18 am -

Take It Easy


Can you remember your childhood days? During those times, nothing yet seemed complicated – all we had to think about were crayons, cookies, or Santa Claus. We didn’t care about the things we didn’t know because we were just too oblivious of the things that might bother us.

But as we grow older, we get anxious with the things that surround us – life and death, loving and parting, success and failure, to name a few. We find that almost everyday, we are obliged to be concerned about people or events.

Nevertheless, always keep this in mind: Don’t take things as if they are responsible for the way you feel. Events or situations do not trouble you. How you look at them does.

If you miss those carefree days, you just have to look back at how you used to view things then, and you will know what to do now. Here’s a guide to make sure you won’t lose your way:

Cherish the simple things: Trust in the power of a smile or laughter, a kiss or a hug. Believe in kindness, honesty, dreams, and imagination. Living positively is the first step to becoming happy.

Loosen up. Laugh at your mistakes. You might remember the time when you were delivering your speech and your mind went completely blank right in the middle of delivering it. It’s embarrassing. But most likely, your audience will forget about it in a day or two. We all mess up occasionally. The good thing is that people tend to forget such situations.

Surround yourself with what you love. Get a pet. Retain film moments as keepsakes. Keep away from those that drag you down. If that high-paying job makes you sulk at the thought of having to go to work, find a job you like first before quitting. If some people force you to comply even if you think of doing otherwise, stay away from their company.
 
Don’t put off. Go on that trip. Take your Master’s. You’ll never know the extent of your life. Do something, while you can.

Don’t push yourself too hard trying to please everyone. You just can’t. And it never seems to be worth it anyway. When you want to make somebody’s day, start with your loved ones.

Keep fit. Be that attractive person you always picture yourself to be. Cherish your health. It’s the best way of showing you are putting your best face forward.

Do not assume. Don’t fret about forgetting your speech before you actually do it. Don’t worry about not getting the job you want because you might mess up at the interview. It’s good to expect the worst; but don’t end up expecting only the worst. 

Alter your way of thinking. When you’re being ridiculed, criticized about your family background, or condemned for past mistakes, put on deaf ears. Don’t believe everything you hear. You know yourself better than everybody else does. Never wallow in self-pity.

Remember: Don’t get upset over things just because it’s how most people would react when faced with the same situation. When you find yourself being negative – angry, down, jealous, etc. – you also unknowingly drain your energy and enthusiasm. You just have to try keeping these negative feelings in the low, because giving in to these emotions would sometimes make you unreasonable, and you might end up making bad decisions.

Happiness is always in your grasp. You can attain it, as long as you know how.

Never Stop Exploring Life!

Jerry L Saunders, RM

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Let Go Of Your Past

Written by Jerry on October 17, 2009 – 4:42 am -

How to Let Go of the Past and Move Forward in Your Life

In order to live a full and complete life, we must learn how to let go of past failures and disappointments and not carry them with us into our future.

Hanging on to pain, bitterness and disappointment from a past conflict is a heavy burden. It affects your moods, attitudes, relationships, job and all aspects of your life. Negativity eats away at your self-esteem and destroys any possibility of a life free from pain.

Fortunately, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel! Your future doesn’t have to be a repetition of your past. You don’t need to be destined to a life of pain, regardless of what you’ve already been through. You can lay down your burdens. It’s okay for you to be free. In fact, you deserve it!

These five steps will help you move forward and find the freedom you need to begin living a fuller, more enjoyable life, regardless of what lies in your past:

1. Talk about it. Discuss your past pain, fear, disappointment or trauma with a trusted friend or family member. Fully express the feelings associated with the situation: cry, scream, or do whatever you need to do to release the bottled up emotions in a safe way.

• Until you really talk about the feelings connected to your past, you may not be able to move past them. Once you’ve spoken the words, release them from your mind forever. As hard as it may be, it’s the only way to free yourself from your past.

2. Use a journal. Writing in a journal is an excellent way to pour out your pain. A journal offers the safety of knowing your words are just for you and won’t be read by anyone else. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or even if the words follow a logical progression, simply write from the heart.

• Physically writing your thoughts and feelings can release your emotions so you can move past them.

3. Seek forgiveness. Many people misunderstand the meaning of forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened to you is unimportant or you’re saying it’s “okay.” In fact, forgiveness isn’t about the other person at all.

Forgiveness simply means that you’ve made the choice to let go of the desire to exact revenge and punishment, and you’ve found closure within your heart and soul.

• Forgiveness releases you from the burden of carrying the pain any longer. By choosing to forgive, you can stop thinking about the past so it won’t control your future.

4. Seek professional guidance. You can choose to get help from a life coach or therapist.

The people closest to us aren’t always the best choice to help us work through our pain. It may be difficult for us to fully open up about our deepest pain or it may be hard for them to step back far enough to help us through it.

• Seeking guidance from a professional gives us the safety of relative anonymity, which can make it easier to share our problems. Often a coach or counselor can help us see a new point of view, which can help us move forward.

5. Use alternative therapies. There are many techniques you can use to help change your mindset, which can be instrumental in leaving the past behind.

One method, known as EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique, uses the principles of acupuncture (without the needles!) to help you take the "charge" out of your feelings. EFT is done by tapping with your fingertips on the meridian points in the upper part of your body.

• The tapping sequence, combined with verbally expressing your feelings, helps break up the blockage of energy caused by the negative feelings, allowing you to release them.

Hanging onto past negativity isn’t necessary. No matter what your history contains, you can learn to release it and move forward into a life filled with contentment and joy. Find a method that works for you and begin, today, to let go of the past and move into the life you deserve!

Never Stop Exploring Life!

Jerry L Saunders, RM

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