When we have a truly compelling purpose in life we can make it through any trial, suffering, or obstacle. We can endure the most horrific torture and actually come out stronger on the other side. It’s been proven thousands of times and referenced in the stories of some of the greatest men and women to ever live.  Renowned speakers and motivators talk about “the secret to success” all the time… Honestly? The only “secret” is identifying what your purpose is. You’d be surprise what you can accomplish when you have a truly compelling purpose.  Once we find our purpose in this world, we then do not “just live” but we live on purpose, the things we do suddenly have meaning which affects the choices we make every day. We become confident in living, and no longer depend upon outer circumstances to act upon us. That purpose becomes our reason to succeed and endure life’s greatest trials while others drop like flies when life pushes back.

The tricky part is not only to identify what really inspires you as your purpose in life, but also to recognize that it may change over time with experience, and to accept that it may NEED to change according to life starved and what your ultimate goal is.

The greatest deterrent from purpose is pretense. We have to be honest with ourselves enough to ask ourselves why we chose that purpose, or did it choose us? If you have a purpose currently, is it motivated by other people or factors outside of your control? Do you do what you do everyday hoping someone else will notice? Someone specific maybe a person whose love you seek, or approval? If so, is it really YOUR purpose that you are pursuing, or is it theirs? This is a pretense, when your choices are motivated by factors outside of your own self approval, your own set of morals, your own motivation with hopes to be seen or accoladed by others. If this resembles your purpose then it may not motivate you with any longevity, and you may find that it soon leaves you empty, or feeling stagnant without progress. Interview yourself, ask yourself what makes you happy, what your purpose is in life, and why? If your purpose involves the approval of others or their notice, this may be a sign to change. Remove pretenses, and you’ll prevent distractions while increasing the life span of your purpose.

I like to inspire others to find this purpose, whatever it is. Because I t’s what keeps us going through life’s greatest trials which inevitably come to us all. Some of us shut down when such obstacles arise, some keep going. Some grow stronger while others give up and settle for less since it requires less exertion or pain. What’s makes difference? Some might say some struggles are pointless, and suffering has no meaning. But if there is any purpose in life, and we all must struggle, then there must be a purpose in the struggle. Why do people like Michael Jordan say, “I succeed because I have failed”, and Arnold SchwarzeneGher, “Strength does not come from winning. Struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender. That is strength.” Why do most successful people agree that failure was a necessary part of the process to reach their greatest accomplishments. If there is truly a purpose in life then one might also conclude there must be a purpose in failure, and perhaps even something to profit thereby.

I currently have 1235 digital notes in my iPhone and half-jokingly believe the invention of smart-phones may very well have saved a small forest, no thanks to me. I used to “keep 3M in business” others would tease, referring to all the sticky notes plastered like wallpaper on my bedroom walls. Because I love to write. It’s like therapy to me. It offers relief when my head is bursting with philosophical ideas, business ideas, existential questions, stories, or heavy stress.

I started a journal in high school inspired by my high school sweetheart. No I didn’t end up married to her as you might expect from a typical inspirational story, which is one of the greatest learning experiences yet to be shared in my blog. But I’ve been writing ever since I started that first journal. Some life events have been rare and unique, but most are relatable, which is what makes them tangible and profitable to readers. Some say I’m an open book and that it’s more appealing these days to remain mysterious and say less, keep them guessing if you will. While that may be true, it doesn’t work for me. We all have a story to share that makes us who we are, or who we hope to become. I believe these stories benefit everyone who listens with an open mind when we share tactfully and transparently without shame.