What is our 'purpose'?

Ive been watching a lot of Jay Shetty's videos on youtube as of late. His podcast "on purpose" has been a breath of fresh air to my ears. He focuses on self development and mastering the mind, while conversing with other credible people. It's hard for me to describe who Jay is, as Ive just recently started learning about him. He was a monk for 3 years then met the love of his life, now he lives with the purpose of serving others. He mentioned in a podcast episode with his wife, that he made it clear upon dating that his purpose was to grow in all aspects of life but especially mindfully, and with that he would help/serve others. He said he didn't care or need this to be her purpose, however he needed her to understand that that is his purpose.

This was very eye opening for me as Ive been struggling lately with my identity. I know deep down inside what my own purpose feels like to me, yet Ive let it become play-do, malleable by other experiences, people, or places. Then in the end I always go back to it and hold onto it tight as I move through life.

It raises the idea from the movie "Soul". If you haven't watched the film, please do then come back because I don't want to spoil such a peculiar and special Pixar movie to you.

For those who have watched it, this idea of viewing my 'purpose' as playdo, or clay, is another way of my soul deeply connecting to our universal purpose. The film brings you to a specific moment where one of the main characters/the soul, 22, experiences a casual human moment. The observation of a leaf falling from a tree with the sun shining bright behind. It's a slow, majestic moment. The movie concludes that ones purpose does not have to be grand or tangible. All of our purposes as souls living through the human experience is similar, and that is to just be.

It sounds so simple, yet confusing. How do i continue to move through life with 'just being'. I think that is where spirituality, gratitude, and mindfulness come in. With those 3 things and practices of good habits, which is what Jay talks about a lot, with that you find your souls specific purpose. Or what your human body loves doing when it's just being human. Whether thats cooking, dancing, singing, tree climbing, you name it. Essentially it is you - just being human. Just living.

Ive been playing tug of war with myself for years of who I am, what I want, where I want to go.

I don't want to do that anymore.

I don't want to overthink who I am. I enjoy just being the most when Im laying on grass in the sun, when I dance with friends or with no one, when I eat yummy foods, when I meet lovely new people. Those are my favorite things. That feels good enough of a purpose.

Of course there are more layers within the simple acts I do, that I feel most alive in. For example, I love meeting new lovely people, whilst being able to spread positive energy and make them feel loved and seen. The gesture may seem small and purposeless, but when you observe it from far away, with all the rest of the noise of the world, it is a glimpse of peace and joy. I think theres room to shove more love and peace in this world.

In the most simplest terms, I believe that is my souls purpose. To just be.

Journal Prompts

What does my soul look like and what does it want?

What does it mean to 'just be'? How does one achieve being?

Who am I? When do I feel most alive?