3 Steps to connecting with your life purpose
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“Connection is why we are here, it’s what gives us purpose and meaning in life.” – Brene Brown
Human connection is why I am here. It is why I was put on this earth. Whether through my words, or stories, or my coaching, I was put on this planet to connect with other beings. It’s my gift.
Another person who had this gift of connection was my dad.
Tony Hall was a gifted musician. If he found a keyboard, he could play it. From a baby grand piano to a church pipe organ, that’s where he ate. He was in a touring band when I came along. He stopped playing at that point because he didn’t want to be a touring musician with a young son at home.
An admirable decision to be sure, but one I believe he regretted for the rest of his life.
Dad became a successful bar owner in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He could still connect with people through his hospitality.
Along the way, dad lost touch with his gift. The bar collapsed. And the demons of depression, type 2 diabetes, and substance abuse led him away from this purpose. Eventually on December 23rd, 2014, my dad died a shell of the man he once was.
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But along the way, dad lost touch with his gift. The bar collapsed. And the demons of depression, type 2 diabetes, and substance abuse led him away from this purpose. Eventually on December 23rd, 2014, my dad died a shell of the man he once was.
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The question I have for you today is this: What is your purpose?
Before you go clicking away, this question isn’t as heady as you might think. I’m not talking about going out and pulling a Buddha and meditating under a fig tree for six weeks. This doesn’t require enlightenment, or anything close.
It’s really a simple question. The answer will usually jump out at you and startle you.
Let’s break this down into a few steps. This isn’t a comprehensive list by any stretch.
- The first step to a life of true power is to identify your purpose in life.
- The second step is to practice ways to empower that purpose.
- And when you find your purpose, stay in touch with it. Losing touch with your purpose is a way to slide down a hole of despair.
There’s no doubt in my mind, that my dad lost touch with his purpose. With his gift.
However, even in his later years, I could still see the connection he had with his purpose. While he lost touch with it, his purpose never lost touch with him.
Less than five months after my mom passed away in 2009, my excited dad calls me. He said that my uncle had found a Steely Dan concert in Orange Beach, Alabama.
For many years, Steely Dan was never a touring act. They were essentially a conglomeration of studio musicians and never an actual “band.” But in recent years, they’ve started touring pretty regularly.
I am a Dan fan, but not like dad was. Steely Dan founder Donald Fagen was dad’s musical hero.
Early in the show, they played Aja, the title track from their 1977 album of the same name. All during this song, I kept catching glimpses of my dad out of the corner of my eye. I finally saw dad wiping a tear from his eye.
“You okay?” I asked him.
“I just can’t believe I’m here,” dad said with great emotion.
My point in sharing this story is this; while it is possible to lose touch with your purpose, your purpose will never desert you.
I can support you in getting in touch with your purpose. Shoot me an email at [email protected] and we can schedule a free sample coaching session.
Two quick reminders:
- Coach Ryan’s Jedi Academy will be Saturday, June 25th at noon eastern. Information on team-ryan.team. We’ll show you some ways you can use The Force in your own life.
- Also, I’m starting a coaching group in July. If you’re looking for ways to get a creative project off the ground, this is the group for you. Info on team-ryan.team.
Happy father’s day! Dad, I love you and I miss you every day.
Photo by Basheer Tome