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The Value of Finding Your Life Purpose

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Mar 3, 2023
  • 3 min read


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


With all of life’s problems on your mind, finding life purpose might seem like a frivolous endeavor. Or it could be just what you need to find your direction and motivation. After years of uncertainty, 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 affect does this have on the brain? 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. And the stronger the purpose, the more resilient the brain is.


What level are you on the life purpose ladder? Is your work your passion? Have you just retired or are you going to retire soon? Or – do you feel that something is missing in your life? Do you go day-to-day numb as to what you do all day? You can reflect on the direction your life has taken. This may require some thought and it is not something that can be rushed. However, our brain is ready for change. Despite all the challenges your brain has been dealt these past couple of years, finding your purpose can be a powerful change. Your brain loves to change, and it is always ready to grow new cells and neural pathways to become more resilient as you start embracing your life. Don’t believe that you need to find one purpose. Our purpose lies in the fact that we 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 it is difficult? Change your brain and you can change your life is simplistic. But we have learned through neuroplasticity that we can change our brain. Here are some steps to help you alter your attitude about your life:

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

2. Regularly express gratitude

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

4. Practice mindfulness

5. Visualize compassion

(Davidson, Forbes)


These steps are internal strategies geared at developing new neural pathways that allow your brain to function in a new, peaceful way. Practicing these steps every day provides a means of retraining your brain. Repetition and consistency are necessary to create these new neural pathways. While sharpening your brain you will discover that 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/


 
 
 

Comments

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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