Nothing gives a person a sense of inner wholeness and peace like a distinct understanding of where he is going. We all need personal philosophy of life or we rush wondering, and responding to random stimuli and information with little or no impact on our long-term goals. A philosophy of life is an overall vision or attitude toward life and the purpose of it. Human activities are limited by time, and death. But we forget this.
Robert Byrne, the American author, once observed, ‘the purpose of life is a life of purpose’. In order to get somewhere, you need to define your end goal. This is essential and the sooner you define it, the clearer everything else will become. A life without a purpose is a life without a destination.
Another acclaimed Russian novelist, Fyodor Dostoyevsky said, “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for”. Your purpose in life is to find and do the things that make you smile, laugh and forget time. Even if you are not sure yet, move into the exploration and experimentation phase of your life and enjoy the journey.
During World War II, Viktor Frankl was held prisoner in Nazi concentration camps. With all the agony and brutality, what kept Frankl from giving up his relentless fight for his life was purpose! He found meaning in his struggle, and that’s what gave him the power to push forward through unimaginable pain. In his book , “Man’s Search for Meaning”, Viktor says: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how‘ “.
Once you have defined your aims and what you want, it is easier to deal with doubts. Easier not to get distracted from what is important, keep your focus, and keep moving. Never be afraid of questioning everything once again. People who are constantly striving to achieve something meaningful in life crave clarity. It is the only way to reach deeper into yourself to find out what makes you come alive.
According to the celebrated success guru, Napoleon Hill, “There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it”. In order to get what you want, you have to choose one direction and move towards it, constantly improving over a prolonged period of time.
People who have made genuine changes in their lives and managed to attain difficult goals are not stronger, more intelligent or fearless than you. The only difference is the decision to act in the direction of their dreams. Successful people have a definite sense of direction. Everything they do is consistent with their goals. Their day to day actions help them move closer to their vision.
Knowing your ‘why’ is an important first step in figuring out ‘how’ to achieve the goals that excite you and create a life you enjoy living. Indeed only when you know your ‘why’ will you find the courage to take the risks needed to get ahead, stay motivated when the chips are down, and move your life to an entirely new, and more rewarding trajectory.
Hopefully you have reached a new level of self-awareness. Take some time in a quiet place to think about where you are headed in life. Are you happy with the direction of your life at the moment? The good news is, it’s never too late to change direction because you are in control. Re-evaluate how you are doing with living according to your core beliefs, principles and philosophies. Adjust your goals and parameters so they are upto date.