Inspire town

What's your life purpose? Do you have one? In her inspiring book, Unstoppable, Cynthia Kersey writes about a famous psychologist who surveyed 3,000 people and asked them "What have you to live for?" Shockingly, 94% answered by saying they had no specific life purpose - yes, 94%! In light of those results, it is no wonder why so many people live unhappy and unfulfilled lives in our world today.

In his classic inspirational book, As a Man Thinketh, James Allen says that, "They who have no central purpose in their life fall an easy prey to worries, fears, troubles, and self-pity." I can recall my own life being riddled with anxiety, fears and negativity in all shapes and sizes before I defined my own life purpose. I was like a rudderless ship in the middle of the Atlantic.

I believe that we are all born with a life purpose in our heart and soul. Uncovering that purpose and taking inspired action to fulfill it happens to be part of our journey. Purpose instills passion and excitement in our lives. It acts as our guiding light as we carry out our innate desire to serve the world.

In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill talks about the importance of having a life purpose or what he calls a Chief Definite Aim. He further wrote that people would be so much happier "if only they would adopt a Definite Purpose, and stand by that purpose until it had time to become an all-consuming obsession!"

If you seek happiness and have not yet defined your life purpose, use the following list of 15 questions to assist you in discovering your purpose. Use these questions as guide to help you get into a frame of mind that will be conducive to defining your personal mission.

1. What makes you smile? (Activities, people, events, hobbies, projects, etc.)

2. What were your favorite things to do in the past? What about now?

3. What activities make you lose track of time?

4. What makes you feel great about yourself?

5. Who inspires you most? Which qualities inspire you, in each person?

6. What are you naturally good at? (Skills, abilities, gifts etc.)

7. What do people typically ask for your help in?

8. If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

9. What would you regret not fully doing, being or having in your life?

10. Imagine This. You are now 100 years old, sitting on a rocking chair outside your porch; you can feel the spring breeze gently brushing against your face. You are joyful and happy, and are pleased with the wonderful life you have been blessed with. Looking back at your life and all that you have achieved and acquired, all the relationships you have developed. What matters to you most? List them out.

11. What are your deepest values?

12. What were some challenges, difficulties and hardships you have overcome or are in the process of overcoming? How did you do it?

13. What causes do you strongly believe in?

14. If you could get a message across to a large group of people, who would those people be? What would your message be?

15. Given your talents, passions and values. How could you use these resources to serve, to help or to contribute?

Take your answers to these questions and begin working on creating a mission statement for your life. Release your fears, lay down your worries and take inspired action. You are now on your way to a happier, purposeful life.