Purpose:
What I can bet you’re still searching for
Where From Here Vol. 1
pur·pose
/ˈpərpəs/
noun
noun: purpose; plural noun: purposes
1.the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
a person's sense of resolve or determination.
Verb
have as one's intention or objective.
Middle English: from Old French porpos, from the verb porposer, variant of proposer
Purpose. One word that holds a meaning we all strive to define every day. What is the purpose of school? Or marriage? What purpose does this person hold in my life? What is my purpose? Why am I here? At times we feel that we reach these answers. More often than not, this answer is an ever changing quest. More of a journey, rather than a destination.
I’ve been diving deeper into this question the older that I get. The less days I feel I’ll ultimately have in this physical form on earth, the more pressure I feel to figure out the reason I’m here in the first place. And this new series I’m speaking to you through is another step in that direction.
Since I was a teenager I’ve fell in love with using my words in a lyrical state through hip-hop, originating from poetry and spoken word. I’ve always loved reading, and had reverence for the power of words. Being able to have fun with it in musical form has been a passion of mine, and will continue to be. However, I’ve always looked at music as a vehicle to reach even further destinations with my talents, and I’m thankfully not afraid to continue evolving, and stretching myself using all of my skills. One skill that I continue to get complimented for, and encouraged to do more of, is writing. So I am going to use this medium through this series Where From Here to utilize this gift, and hopefully you as the reader, and I can come to some realizations within our own purposes in this life.
I watched a video recently from Steve Harvey that’s titled “Follow Your Gift, Not Your Passion.” He basically encouraged following your gifts, and not so much your passions. You can be passionate about singing, but if you don’t have any natural gift or talent in that arena it could be very hard to live a full life being only a singer. But let’s say you have a natural talent for baking cookies, and everyone you know is always requesting your cookies. That may not be what you’re most passionate about, but there may be something there for you to build from that could open even more doors for you.
“Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.” ―W. Clement Stone
I’m not saying to drop your passions off at the next exit. I believe you have those passions for a reason. However, what are your gifts? What is it that you do the best, with the least amount of effort? I asked this question to some of the closest people in my life, and also simply paid attention to what I tended to get complimented for by my peers and loved ones without even asking for feedback. And from that, this series was born. Being an artist is my passion (songwriting, performing, creative direction and design, and live event curation), but I know I also have gifts in writing, creating ideas, and encouraging others. I don’t know if anyone will care, or even read or listen, but that’s not the purpose of this. I’m following my gifts on this one with no expectations, just expression.
I challenge you to self evaluate. And if that doesn’t cut it for you, find at least 2-3 people that know you best, whose opinions you trust. Ask them to be completely honest and as unbiased as they can be and tell you what’s something you do the best without even seeming to try. Make sure you let them know NOT to simply tell you what they think you want to hear. And then self evaluate again. Are you following your passions? Are you really using the best gifts that you have? How can you give purpose to those gifts? That my friend is up to you.
“Nothing is more creative... nor destructive... than a brilliant mind with a purpose.”
― Dan Brown, Inferno
LISTEN TO FULL DISCUSSION ON PURPOSE with Empress Rah.
-Alfred Nomad