To Find(fīnd) Your Deeper(dēp) Purpose, Listen

To Find(fīnd) Your Deeper(dēp) Purpose, Listen

By Leo Babauta

I’ve found that if we can create a connection between our daily actions and our deeper purpose in life, then each day will be incredibly(inˈkredəblē) fulfilling(fo͝olˈfiliNG).

Unfortunately(ˌənˈfôrCHənətlē) most people haven’t found their “deeper purpose” in life, and many don’t even believe they have one. That’s OK, but if you’re one of those who would like to create a more fulfilling life, I have one word of advice(ədˈvīs) for you.

Listen.

OK, I’ll have a few more words to add to that!

The way that I found my deeper purpose (and I’m still refining it every day) is by listening to what’s in my heart, as corny(ˈkôrnē) as that might sound. I listened to what I felt most deeply, what moved me, what made me feel shaky(ˈSHākē) but in awe(ô) of life.

To listen, I had to stop letting myself be distracted(disˈtraktəd). I had to create space to listen: shut off the Internet and all devices(diˈvīs), not watch TV, get away from everything else, even for a little bit. I had to create silence(ˈsīləns) and stillness, so that listening was even possible(ˈpäsəbəl).

If you create this space, this silence … notice what you feel. It won’t be obvious(ˈäbvēəs) what it means at first, but after listening for awhile, you’ll notice what you yearn(yərn) for. What gives you joy(joi), a sense of adventure(adˈvenCHər,əd-), a sense of play. What creates pain and the wish to salve(sav,säv) that pain. What you are afraid(əˈfrād) of, what fills you with doubt(dout), what makes you want to run.

Eventually you’ll get an inkling(ˈiNGkliNG): “Oh, I really love working with kids!” You won’t know what that means, but you’ll have a direction, and you’ll start to explore(ikˈsplôr) it. You’ll find a way to work with kids, and after awhile, if you keep listening, you’ll discover the parts of working with kids that moves you the most. You’ll hone(hōn) in on that. You’ll refine(riˈfīn), listen some more, and strip(strip) away the fat(fat) of that purpose, until it gets to its essence(ˈesəns). You’ll find your gift to offer to the world.

And each step along the way, you’ll be walking the path of that purpose, exploring and discovering how to best offer your gift.

…
https://zenhabits.net/listen/