Chapter 13

The Complex but Simple Process in Defining Your Purpose.

Live the Life of Your Dreams: Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.- Roy T. Bennett

I’m not sure when I realized that living an audacious life is my way of fulfilling my commitment to living with purpose. After some much-needed soul-searching, I’ve become keenly aware that my life’s purpose is to ignite my soul and to live passionately and authentically. For me, this is my purpose, plain and simple. The age-old question we humans often ponder is, “What is my purpose or legacy?” This question can send one spiraling into a black hole of existentialism, but I believe it can be simplified into a more holistic ideology. I imagine that if linear thinking disconnects from this idea, it becomes a destination that can be reached or cultivated more organically. Thus far in my writing, a consistent theme has been woven throughout my storytelling: to build the tools necessary to navigate life’s challenges, while enjoying the scenic ride and allowing yourself the free range to decide what the journey will encompass. For me, this has been the number one catalyst for freeing myself, healing, soul alignment, and building resiliency that allows me to be the composer of this masterpiece called life or purpose.

I decided to take what I call a momentary life pause to routinely check in with myself, doing so without distractions and in necessary stillness. I find that in these quiet, continual moments, I have the greatest epiphanies, a-ha moments, thoughts of clarity, and an instinctual plan for my 100^th rebrand or evolution. It’s funny because there was a time when sitting still with myself felt like descending into a black hole and getting entwined in my tumbleweed of thoughts. But now, I welcome it, and it is often the catalyst for a spiritual awakening. I started thinking about the abstract concept of purpose and the language or themes that are often attached to it or the attributes that are described surrounding the subject. Typically, one dives deep into their esteemed career and how they climbed the corporate ladder- successful entrepreneurship, an index of notable organizations, academic achievements, legacy building through procreation, and some form of religious affiliation. I fully support these notions if one chooses these qualifiers to symbolize one’s life purpose because I believe in the freedom of choice. However, I eventually recognized that my sense of purpose didn’t fit into what felt like checked boxed silos. I didn’t have the yearning desire to climb the corporate ladder with a suit and briefcase handy; instead, I sought maximum income as a means to enrich my life abundantly in all realms. I didn’t possess the urge to make my academic career my primary identity; rather, I took immense pride in my commitment to myself and knew that I wanted something greater than I could have ever imagined. I had to reflect deeply, and I surmised that I’m innately drawn to ways of living that align me, and I have a compelling urge to design my life to reflect this ideology like a kaleidoscope dream.

I decided to shape my life in a way that will allow me to look back with fondness in my later years and feel infinite pride in fulfilling my purpose, which has been imperfectly crafted for me. For me, this is embodied in pursuing my curiosities about this boundless world, choosing to find beauty and art in subjects often viewed as taboo in a society that has established rather strict moral codes, and nurturing the ability to love deeply despite the bumps and bruises accompanying it. I actively choose to remain kind and show grace in a world that can seemingly spew “dog-eat-dog” rhetoric. I decided long ago that I have no intention of hustling my life away under the guise of creating generational wealth or being in relentless competition with anyone over the illusion of winning. Instead, my soul feels purposeful flowing naturally in pursuit of my dreams, existing as my most vulnerable self with discernment and firmly stating what I stand for in this life with no qualms. My purpose is to live without inhibitions- within reason, of course- to roam this earth, discovering the unknowns in all capacities, continuously learning, and having the privilege of experiencing all the emotions that can be. I aim to be expressive in unbounded ways, enjoy the small things, and also punch into the grandiosity realm. My purpose is to live a life I am proud of, doing the things that bring me joy and never trying to escape the humanistic element. I’m alive; I want to feel, breathe, touch, fall, get back up, and know that at the end, I’m fulfilled because I didn’t just exist; I lived to the fullest. This is my purpose; what is yours?