Purpose in life as a flat rock in a swirling stream
I used to believe that in order to live with purpose, I needed to have a sense of direction toward a life goal or imagined future. And for good reason. Most scholars fold having a goal or direction into their definition of the term. For example, in grants and papers, my team borrowed from McKnight and Kashdan (2009), defining purpose in life as having a set of life aims that motivate a person’s daily pursuits, decisions, and resource use and provides a sense of directedness (Radomski et al., 2024). Purpose in life seemed to require an arrow.
But then I entered cancer-world at the same time I started retirement and all of the sudden, I lost the clear-eyed direction that has accompanied much of my adulthood. Cancer-world grabbed the reins and galloped us to an unknown destination at a time when I didn’t yet have the default plans and routines for the retirement I hoped to create. And I wondered, if I don’t have a sense of direction, can I enjoy a sense of purpose anyhow?
To that I now say, Yes.
After fussing and floundering around for longer than I’ll admit, it occurred to me to return to what I already knew to be true. I found my way back to the focus of the Compass Course on purpose in daily life, which we defined this way: intentional use of time and energy in ways that align with one’s values, strengths, and sources of personal meaning (inner Compass) in the moments that compose a day.
The Compass Course is based on these purpose givens from the scientific and theoretical literatures:
1. Our unique version of purpose is informed by knowing what matters most (our values, strengths, sources of personal meaning – a.k.a., our inner Compass).
2. This self-knowledge enables us to envision what we want to head towards in our lives – life aims or at least, a direction.
3. By knowing what makes us tick and claiming where the arrow points (our direction), we make daily choices to move us forward. This is what living on purpose looks like.
I came to appreciate that while my circumstances did not afford me a clear sense of life aims or goals (#2), purpose givens #1 and #3 were utterly available. I’ve done the homework to be well-acquainted with my inner Compass and could still decide on a few attitudes, experiences, or actions for the day ahead that align. I continue to feel most alive and grounded on days when I do this, finding my purpose-y solid ground when it feels like life is swirling around me.
I know that for a myriad of reasons, others stand in the same kind of life swirl and like me, find it hard to embrace the fog and slipperiness of their prolonged state of in-between. I can testify to the fact that even if we’re unable to frame long-term goals and direction, we can continue to claim the purpose that is present in one single day at a time.
What about you? Where do you find your footing and way back to purpose when life pulls a switcheroo? What guidance do you have to offer to others?
Onward!
Sources:
Radomski MV, Anheluk M, Carroll G, & Zola J (2024). The Issue Is—Purpose in life as an explicit outcome of occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78, 7803347010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050428
McKnight PE & Kashdan TB (2009). Purpose in life as a system that creates and sustains health and well-being: An integrative, testable theory. Review of General Psychology, 13, 242–251. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017152