LIFE
Determining my Purpose
To tell you about how my book Broken Pieces was birthed, I will need to tell you a few things about myself. I have always believed that we are here for a reason. We have a purpose. My biggest question was, “Why am I here?” “What is my purpose?" When you read my book you will understand why the answer to this question was important to me.
For years, I believed it was what I was to others: daughter, wife, mother, friend, etc. If that was all there was, that would be enough, especially if I did all of those things well. I've been an undocumented and unpaid adviser, listener, and counselor most of my life, could that be it? I enjoy sharing and having others share with me. However, as I got older I thought there has to be more. While reading a devotional it asked this question, “What is your purpose?” What got my attention was the next question: “How do you determine your purpose?”
How to determine your purpose:
The following is based on information I gathered from several articles on the internet and from my devotional:
What do you love to do and what comes easily for you? Talk to others and share my experiences.
What are two qualities you most enjoy expressing to the world? Love and hope
What are two ways you express these qualities? Caring and sharing
Listen to what other people appreciate about you. I have been told by friends that they wish they could express themselves with words as I do.
What have several people mentioned that you would be good at or need to do? I have been told since I was in elementary school that I should write a book.
Can you turn hurts into healing for others? I feel my story brings light to the world and hope to others.
Answering these questions made it very clear that I needed to put my story out in the world to all people, not just those close to me. I purposely used the word “birthed” earlier because this was not an easy project. It was very difficult and painful, as in childbirth. I visited places from my past that I didn't want to. I had to feel the emotions of each character. These two things took an emotional toll, but I feel Broken Pieces was the first part of “My Purpose” and “Why I am here”.
What are your beliefs on this subject? They may differ from mine. I'd like to hear your comments.
