Your Life on Purpose Action Steps
Determine what you truly want and align your actions with your values.
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In the early 2000s, vision boards became popular for making dreams come true. Friends had parties to make boards with pictures and words representing their wishes.
Like casting spells, what you think about is what you get. But chasing material possessions and external desires won’t lead to lasting happiness.
What does lead to lasting happiness is finding purpose and meaning in life. It determines what you truly want and aligns your actions with your values.
What Do You Value?
Time Required: 30 mins - 1 hr
Materials: Journal and pen
The people of Pompeii were known for their good looks. They lived in beautiful homes with grand fountains and gardens of roses and lilies.
If one lacked the means to display such abundance, they improvised by painting walls rich with bountiful scenes of lush gardens and exotic birds.
Gardens contained small statues of Venus, the goddess of beauty, safeguarding the ancient flora and fauna.
A vase with the inscription, “Allow me pure wine: then may Venus, who guards the garden, love you,” was found among the ruins after Mount Vesuvius buried the city alive two thousand years ago.
Sulfurous gases and large ash pebbles rained from the heavens as if hurled by Vulcan, the God of Fire and Volcanoes, in a rage for a forgotten sacrifice.
As the day darkened as black as death’s cloak, people fled through the streets laden with precious items.
Imagine having to flee for your life. What would you take? People carried bags of jewelry, coins, and figurines, wearing rings on every finger, some fingers with two.
Clutched in their dying hands are the items they value the most.
➡ To Do: In your journal, list what you imagine carrying in your arms—those things you value the most.
Write quickly, allowing whatever shows up as your answers. Don’t discriminate or exclude something you think is not worthy. Let your mind be free and accept what comes up.
Example: If I had to flee with my life, I would carry the following things in my arms.
cat
computer
car keys
➡ To Do: Once you have your list, consider why you chose those items. What special meaning do they have for you? Write your reasons next to each item.
Example: I would carry my cat, computer, and car keys because I love my pet, require access to data, and need transportation.
cat = love
computer = data/information
car keys = transportation
➡ To Do: Ask yourself why you feel what you do for each item.
Close your eyes and seek inner wisdom. Take a breath and listen to your intuition. Trust the answers that come to you, even if they seem unconventional or unexpected.
Your genuine wants are revealed when you reach beneath the surface and reflect on the truth behind desire.
When I consider why I love my cat, I realize it’s because she comforts me. My computer represents security, while having transportation provides freedom.
Example: Why do I love my cat? What drives my need for data and transportation?
I love my cat because she comforts me.
I value my computer’s ability to secure information.
My car keys represent freedom.
➡ To Do: Create your spiritual aspiration statement.
But do the things you carry in your arms last? Everything on my list has perished. My cat passed away, computers crashed, and cars came and went.
As Buddha said, “Whatever has the nature to arise will also pass away."
Yes, you can replace these things, which leads to a life of panic, searching, and fear as things come and go.
But it’s not the things you want. It’s the feelings behind them.
Imagine a life where you no longer depend on external factors to feel complete and content. A life where your spiritual aspiration is the driving force behind your happiness.
Therefore, your spiritual aspiration should not be tied to material possessions or temporary circumstances. It should be something that brings you lasting fulfillment and inner peace.
Example: My spiritual aspiration is to live a life of eternal comfort (I love my cat because she comforts me), security (I value my computer’s ability to secure information), and freedom (My car keys represent freedom).
Write your one-sentence spiritual aspiration in bold letters in your journal. We will return to it often throughout the year.
Remember, the things we carry in our arms may come and go, but our spiritual aspirations are eternal. They are the compass that leads us toward a fulfilling life filled with love, joy, and meaning.
➡ To Do: Share your spiritual aspiration in the comments below and any insights you gained during the activity. Let me know if you have any questions or need help crafting your spiritual aspiration. Feel free to use the chat here or private message on Facebook.