I picked up the book "Soul Pancake" to give me things to write about in my journal (ummm... this is my journal in case you haven't noticed.) I thought it might be fun to work through the book as a family (Mom, Dad and siblings), and I got 99% buy in. We'll be sharing our thoughts with each other, but I'll also be posting my thoughts here. I got to assign the first one, and then we'll be taking turns picking the topics. What my family doesn't know (but they will after reading my blog) is that I'm also going to throw in some other stuff from another book I have. I like to keep them on their toes.

Everyone has the book, because there is reading to do along with the questions. I don't want to have an issue with copyrights, so I won't be posting any of the book verbatim. You'll have to get the book, but feel free to play along! I still am not opening comments, but my friends all have my email address or are friends with me on FB if you want to share your thoughts.

I chose page 192 as our first assignment, to include the “dig deeper” questions:

1. What is the purpose of your life?


2. Does your sense of purpose evolve?


3. If you land your ideal job have you achieved your purpose?


4. Who has most influenced your life’s purpose?

What is the purpose of my life?
Ultimately, I believe the purpose of my life is that of a teacher. Not a teacher in the typical sense, but more of a mentor and a positive influence on those who need something I might have to offer in the way of learning. I've learned to quit wasting my time on people who don't want to do the work required to improve their lives, and invest my time on those that know that life is not a free ride. I've been really lucky to meet a lot of really great 'kids'. They may think they're learning something from me, but it goes both ways.

Does my sense of purpose evolve?
Very much so. For a long while, I thought my sense of purpose was simply to be a mom to my two sons. They are still high on my list of reasons I'm glad I'm on this planet, but I've expanded beyond that. As you all know, I was involved in Hospice for almost the last 10 years. I thought at that time, that Hospice was my sense of purpose and put my full passion and energy into it. I believe that I made a big difference to many people in this capacity. As I began to talk about my volunteer service with Hospice, people at work and online started coming to me just to have someone to talk to and I started thinking that maybe my sense of purpose was to be a good listener. I know that I'm a good listener, but I don't believe that is really a sense of purpose. Just something I can offer as a friend. Lately, I've come to believe that my sense of purpose is to mentor young adult women. I think the Hospice experience gave me the perspective I needed and certainly the listening skills. So, long answer to a short question right? Short answer is yes, my sense of purpose does evolve and who knows where I'll go next.

If you land your ideal job have you achieved your purpose?
This one kind of makes me giggle. I've landed my ideal job so many times in my life. I always thought, "OK- this is THE job for me" and have been thrilled to do what I've been doing. You couldn't find a more passionate or dedicated employee than me in ANY job I've had. Of course, I think what I'm doing now is the VERY TIP TOP of ideal jobs since I'm self-employed and successful. With that said, I've never ever felt that my job was my sense of purpose. I do have a habit of using what I do for a living as my identity, but it's not my purpose. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it is what it is. I think I just take a lot of pride in my work and that's about as far as that goes.

Who has most influenced your life’s purpose?
I have no single answer for this. I have so many people who I think of as mentors throughout my life. People from work, family, Hospice and friends. I make a point of spending my energy and time with positive people, and I've yet to find a positive person that hasn't taught me something or influenced me in a good way. Outside of people I know personally, I do have to say that Oprah has given me lots to think about, read and ponder. I wouldn't say she's a major influence, but she's pointed me in the right direction several times. Once I'm pointed in the right direction (even me, the directionally challenged one!), I follow that path to the end.