Week 4: Dealing with your circumstances.<\/strong><\/h3>\nWeek 4 arrived, and there was still no talk about life purpose. Nope. We were focusing on \u201clooking truth in the eye\u201d so that we could be in a better position to make meaning and choose our life purpose.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll admit it. At this point, there were only 2 weeks left before creating our life purpose statement and I didn\u2019t think this would be enough time to figure out my life purpose.<\/p>\n
However, the reading and exercises were easy, so I kept going.<\/p>\n
We were asked to write our circumstances.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”l||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#7EBEC5″ min_height=”193.6px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|5px||10px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
I wrote:<\/p>\n
My circumstances are good. I have a good job with very good pay that is close to home. I like the people I work with and feel an especially strong connection with the co-worker I have the most contact with. The downside is it isn\u2019t very challenging at the moment. However, a new boss this year could change that or result in changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My finances are in good shape. I would like to have more saved for Dear Daughters to go to school but I know student loans will be a possibility. I wish I had more paid off on my mortgage because interest rates are due to rise, but that is what it is.<\/p>\n
I have a relatively simple life, although I would like to simplify it more. I work where I live. I live below my means and put away savings every month for education and RSP\u2019s and other.<\/p>\n
I like my house. It needs updating but the location is prefect for the girls being in school. If I could, I would get into something cheaper.<\/p>\n
I am also sole provider for Dear Daughters so I must be careful not to risk their security. The girls are smart and make it easy to be a mom.<\/p>\n
I also have a cute little dog to consider, but she is pretty flexible.<\/p>\n
In the summer I love to canoe with my Leading Man. I find it very peaceful and relaxing. He and I usually take a trip every year. We travel well together and always have fun.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Then we were asked to answer some other questions. In my notebook I wrote the questions and answers.<\/p>\n
The questions I had jotted down were:<\/p>\n
Which circumstances do I really hate looking at?<\/p>\n
Do I spend time worrying about circumstances that don\u2019t affect my ability to life my life purpose?<\/p>\n
Would a new attitude help the situation?<\/p>\n
How to change or positively influence circumstances negatively affecting me?<\/p>\n
New circumstances looming?<\/p>\n
Way to communicate with myself and track my circumstance.<\/p>\n
Week 5: Naming Your Life Purposes<\/strong><\/h3>\nFinally. The meat of the book and what I had been waiting for.<\/p>\n
Shock!<\/p>\n
The author tells the reader what he would like me to choose as my life purpose.<\/p>\n
Wait. What?<\/p>\n
Why all the exercises and steps if he was just going to tell us our life purpose? Furthermore, he doesn\u2019t know me. He can\u2019t pick my life purpose.<\/p>\n
Page 94, about three quarters of the way down the page says, \u201cI would like you to choose \u201cmaking value-based meaning\u201d as your life purpose.\u201d He then goes on to make his arguments as to why.<\/p>\n
I get where he was going, but I wasn\u2019t going there with him. It is a one-size fits all life purpose. Not too restrictive. Keeps you on your toes looking for meaning opportunities. Makes you feel like you are living authentically.<\/p>\n
Nope. I wanted my own, original, life purpose.<\/p>\n
Thank goodness he gives a little example about Janet and her story. Janet examines various aspects of her life and makes decisions about how she wants to live going forward. Janet decides on things like choosing meaningful work, living ethically, and showing up bravely and really standing up in life. He suggests that we could make an attempt at doing the same.<\/p>\n
He grants permission to use whatever method works – a list, a paragraph, a sentence or two.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”l||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#7EBEC5″ min_height=”193.6px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|5px||10px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
I wrote:<\/p>\n
\n- I am a life-long learner.<\/li>\n
- The idea of options\/choices excites me = opportunities.<\/li>\n
- I want to live simply. I don\u2019t need a lot of stuff or to do a lot of stuff to be happy.<\/li>\n
- I do not value money.<\/li>\n
- I do value independence (financial & otherwise).<\/li>\n
- I like the feeling that I am unique, live according to my own values, don\u2019t just follow the trends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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We are told we will refine our attempts next week, so I left it here.<\/p>\n
Week 6: Creating your life purpose statement.<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis week the author directs us to come up with a simple way of remembering our life purpose – a life purpose statement that captures the essence of our many life purposes. A sentence or two. Not more than a paragraph.<\/p>\n
There are 20 quotes in the book to use as inspiration and guidance. I\u2019ll share a few of them here. Some of them are likely familiar to you.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.\u201d (Ralph Waldo Emerson)<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.\u201d (J.K. Rowling)<\/p>\n
\u201cLife isn\u2019t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.\u201d (George Bernard Shaw)<\/p>\n
\u201cLife is what we make it, always has been, always will be.\u201d (Grandma Moses)<\/p>\n
\u201cThe purpose of life is a life of purpose.\u201d (Robert Byrne)<\/p>\n
He also tells us to reflect back on our exercises on the menu and mix of meaning opportunities, upgrading our personalities, facing our circumstances, and how we named and framed our life purposes last week.<\/p>\n
In my notebook I had seven versions of what I have come to refer to as my mission statement. Some were developed in succession and others came to be after living with an iteration for a few days or longer. The last three were added after I finished week 7 & 8 exercises.<\/p>\n
The final iteration is the one that stuck.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”l||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#7EBEC5″ min_height=”193.6px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|5px||10px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Iteration #1<\/strong> As a life-learner I will explore opportunities, live simply, independently, and make my own unique value-based meaning.<\/p>\nIteration #2<\/strong> My life\u2019s purpose is to be a life-long learner, explore opportunities, live simply and independently and make my own unique value-based meaning.<\/p>\nIteration #3<\/strong> My life\u2019s purpose is to be a life-long leaner, explore opportunities, live simply and make my own unique meaning.<\/p>\nIteration #4<\/strong> My life purpose is to be a life-long learner, explore opportunities, live simply, and be unique.<\/p>\nIteration #5<\/strong> My life purpose is to be a life-long learner, explore opportunities, live simply and uniquely.<\/p>\nIteration #6<\/strong> My life purpose is to be a life-long learner, explore opportunities, live simply and according to my values.<\/p>\nIteration #7<\/strong> My life purpose is to be a life-long learner who explores opportunities and lives simply.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The weeks, months, and years that followed, I have followed my mission statement.<\/p>\n
It became easy to simplify because I knew what was most important to me and could give up everything else.<\/p>\n
It guides my choices and decisions. I choose options (work, hobbies, relationships, etc.) that help me to learn and to explore.<\/p>\n
My Challenge for You<\/strong><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
Get clarity on your life purpose by developing your own life purpose statement.<\/p>\n
Use this method, buy the book, or find another source to follow but don\u2019t go any further in life without a mission statement.<\/p>\n
You can know your life purpose, and living it is truly incredible.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t miss out on this!<\/p>\n
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