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The Value of Finding Your Life Purpose

Writer's picture: Patricia FaustPatricia Faust

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain


Let’s go for the big idea and talk about your life purpose. Do you have any idea as to what makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning and joyfully start your day? Is there something you are passionate about? The benefits of life purpose are BIG! It is a “key component of psychological wellbeing, finding meaning in what you do and who you are and leading a goal-directed life” (Mercola, 2015).


Recognizing Passion and Purpose

Recognizing your passion and purpose is life changing. The Stanford Longevity Project, spanning 80 years, found that staying productive and having a sense of purpose promoted a longer life. They referred to this state as conscientiousness. Conscientious people take better care of themselves, make healthier choices and work in jobs they love resulting in reduced stress levels and overall higher contentment with their lives. They tend to regard their work as having purpose.


The Effect of Life Purpose on Your Brain

All these health benefits should be evidence enough to support life purpose – but what effect does this have on the brain? Well – life purpose has a huge effect on your brain! (You probably guessed that by now!). Scientists at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center found on autopsy of 246 people (out of 1400 people in the study) that those “who exhibited very different levels of cognitive decline often showed similar levels of damage from Alzheimer’s. The brains that functioned better it turned out – belonged to people who had indicated more purpose in life over the course of the study.” (Applewhite, 2015) In brain-speak – having a goal in life affects the cellular activity in the brain (neuroplasticity, neurogenesis). Plaques and tangles still form but having a goal continues to build cognitive reserve (extra brain cells and connections). And the stronger the purpose, the more resilient the brain is. (I told you it was huge!).


What level are you on the life purpose ladder? Was your work your passion? Have you been retired for a while and are getting bored?? Or – do you feel that something is missing in your life? Do you go day-to-day numb as to what to do all day? Well, that is the beauty of daydreaming! You can discover what you would love to do – without any judgments. Subconsciously we already know what our passion is. Our conscious brain sends up red flags and causes us to fear something new. Don’t believe that you need to listen to your conscious brain. Our purpose lies in the fact that we can jump into our current life with both feet and engage in what we are doing here and now. It is a mindfulness approach of appreciating the moment you are in and living it fully.


“It is not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.”

Winston S. Churchill


Steps to Change Your Attitude About Your Life

What if your life is more complicated and difficult? Change your brain and you can change your life. Here are some steps to help you change your attitude about your life:

1. Surround yourself with reminders, such as photos or mementoes, of happy times

2. Regularly express gratitude

3. Compliment people on things you like or appreciate about them

4. Practice mindfulness

5. Visualize compassion

(Davidson, Forbes)


To change your brain, you need repetition and consistency. The real purpose in life is to fully engage in your life. You will find your passion as you direct your attention to living. Passion + Daily Activity = Purposeful Life

Trust me, your life will never be the same – it will be so much better.


References:

Applewhite,A. (November 23, 2015). How having a purpose in life impacts your brain – in a big way. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ashton-applewhite/purpose-in-life-brain_b_85555918.html


Gupta,S. Purpose in life is good for your health. Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/purpose-life-good-your-health/


Kaiser,S. (June 19, 2014). 3 Unexpected ways to find your life purpose. Retrieved from Huffington Post App.


Mercola. (May 29,2015). A higher purpose in life is essential for brain health. Retrieved from http://reset.me/story/a-higher-purpose-in-life-essential-for-brain-health/



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     What's Happening?

2025 has certainly started off with a BANG!  There is significant chaos surrounding the start of now President Trump’s term in office.  He described it as ‘Shock and Awe’.  I would agree with ‘shock’, but I am not in awe of the beginning of his term.  Time will tell how this all plays out.  It does force me to get serious about my meditation practice, however.

Then most of the United States was under, first – severe weather systems and then the incineration of Southern California.  In my particular neck of the woods (Ohio/Indiana border) we had 15 inches of snow, subzero temperatures made even colder by high wind.  My gas and electric bill will be out of this world after this month.  It has been a long time since we have seen this type of weather.  In 1978, we had a blizzard where over 30 inches of snow fell, the Ohio River froze over, and I had a blizzard baby 9 months later (to the day)! Nothing like that this time though!

The natural disasters to hit the US this year have been catastrophic.  There was Hurricane Helene that devastated Florida but also caused so much flooding in the Southeast State of North Carolina that the town of Ashville was left in shambles.  This is a mountain town where you would never expect torrential flooding to occur.  The recovery has been slow, but it is ongoing. 

Los Angeles California is the home of many famous and affluent people.  The Palisades and Malibu are two cities you might have seen on TV shows or in movies.  They are on the Pacific coast and were extremely beautiful.  There is nothing left. The damage is unimaginable.  It is hard to understand how people will bounce back from this.

No matter where you live or are reading this, please keep these communities in your thoughts and prayers.  If possible, check out sources where you may make contributions to their recovery.

On a lighter note, The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will play each other in Super Bowl 59 on February 9 in New Orleans.  These two teams played each other in the 2023 Super Bowl and The Chiefs were the winners.  Grudge match in 2025?  We will see.

Make sure you check out the activities going on at the Virtual Brain Health Center.  Krystal and LeAnne always have a month full of activities, the book club, podcasts and guests who bring their expertise to share.  It is free and is worth checking out.  www.virtualbrainhealthcenter.com

I am available to book speaking engagements for The Boomer Brain and The Inside Workings of the Aging Brain.  All Boomers are feeling brain aging losses – tip-of-the-tongue, lost word, forgetting things and the slow down of processing. Request information and open dates through patricia@myboomerbrain.com.

“Pat has written a comprehensive quide to understanding and navigating the intricacies of cognitive aging. ‘The Boomer Brain’ is a beacon of hope for those seeking to enrich their later years.” Dr. Sarah McKay (Founder of The Neuroscience Academy)

Over the past few years, I have had a friend, Carol Meyer, who has been a part of My Boomer Brain.  Carol has her own publication, InFlow that is published quarterly.  It is amazing.  InFlow Magazine - Your Digital Dose of Inspiration is just that.  She has chosen some of my blogs to publish in InFlow and I am grateful.  She wants me to extend an invitation to look at InFlow for yourself.  Here is the link and access information:

 

https://inflowmagazine.gumroad.com/l/Issue11

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THANKS for being a part of My Boomer Brain! 

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