“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." Mark Twain
PURPOSE
Why do we need a purpose? Because without purpose we don’t even want to get out of bed in the morning. Because if there is no purpose then there is no reason to do anything? Purpose is not an obligation. Getting up in the morning and going to work to pay your bill is an obligation and a necessity, not a purpose. Purpose is about the WHY behind what we do. Purpose keeps us alive. Every year high altitude climbers lose their lives climbing mountain peaks such as Everest or K2. Sometimes the weather changes so rapidly that climbers find themselves in an impossible situation and they die. Those who survive make it to the base camp because they have a powerful purpose to fight and they refuse to die. Purpose is not a belief; it is a powerful state of mind. A powerful Purpose manifests itself in every aspect of our thinking and behavior. It guides every decision we make. It is for a grand purpose that warriors are willing to die in battle. In his famous speech, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple said:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Discovering your true purpose requires intentional self-reflection. Throughout history, warrior tribes have deliberately engaged in reflective practices to gain clarity and direction. For example, many Native American cultures practiced a ritual known as the vision quest. In this tradition, a young man would leave his tribe and spend time alone in a secluded place where he could pray and meditate without interruption.
WHAT IS PURPOSE
As you begin your reflection, everything starts to slow down, and clarity gradually emerges. Like peeling back, the layers of an onion, the fog and haze lift one by one. When we discover our purpose, we move a significant step closer to true happiness.
To get started, take a pen and paper and write down your thoughts.
Step away from your office or home and find a place where stress is minimal.
Sit quietly.
Then take five long, slow breaths, inhaling and exhaling deeply. This helps lower the stress hormone cortisol.
PREPARATION
GUIDED SESSION
Use headphones for optimal sound
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Purpose in Life and Temporal Focus across the Adult Lifespan. Ian D. Boreham, et.al. Volume 50, article number 58. 20 November 2025.
The Multifaceted Benefits of Purpose in Life. Gabrielle N. Pfund, et.al. The International Forum for Logotherapy, 41, 27-37. Pfund, G. N., & Hill, P. L. (2018).
Sense of purpose in life and extending the cognitive health span: evidence from multistate survival modeling. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition. Nathan A. Lewis, et.al. Pages 237-251. 04 Jul 2024.
Purpose in life and cognitive functioning in adulthood. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition. Nathan A. Lewis, et.al. Pages 662-671. 07 Nov 2016.
A lifespan perspective on positive affect fluctuations on purpose in life: findings from a 9-year longitudinal study. Jonathan L. Chia, et.al. Journal of Positive Psychology. 4 August 2025.
Meaning in life across the adult lifespan: age differences in levels and correlates of purpose, significance, and coherence in a broad US sample. L. Dewitte, et.al. Journal of Positive Psychology. 1 December 2024.
Sense of Purpose and Strategies for Coping with Anxiety Across Adulthood. Gabrielle N. Pfund, et.al. GeroPsych. 11 August 2023.