by Catherine Graham

Created on: March 17, 2009

Finding your life's purpose can be one of the most daunting, exhilerating, exhausting and promising components of one's life. For myself, I was lucky, and discovered at an earlier age than most, that I was not happy in the position that I was in, and that my life had more purpose to it than just being a 'mommy'.

As a child, in kindergarten, my dreams were to grow up and be a nurse, or a teacher, so that I could help people. As I grew older, my dreams began to change, and when I learned to play guitar, I believed that being a rock star would be the ideal place for me to live out my life. In grade eight, I won a Creative Writing award, and had a poem published in a book, so then decided that I would grow up and be a writer. Again, in my teenage years, I changed the course of my dreams, and decided that I wanted to be a counsellor. When I finally did grow up, I was neither a counsellor, singer, nurse or teacher. I was a stay at home mom with a part time job as a waitress at a local restaurant to get me out of the house two nights a week.

At some point, I woke up from this illusion that I was basing my life on, and realized that I had so much more to give the world than what I was already giving it.

Now three years later, I am living all of my childhood dreams, in one true life purpose that is only unique to myself. It started with writing my first inspirational novel. This in turn took me to getting my certification for Life Coaching, and following my dreams as a singer-songwriter.

Now at the young age of twenty six, I am an author, Certified Life Coach, singer-songwriter, motivational speaker, and hypnotherapist. In many ways, it is as though I always knew what I had wanted to be, and found a way to achieve all of them, into a single career that fits my life perfectly!

When discovering your own true purpose, you have to find what you are passionate about. For my own case, I was very passionate about helping people, and also very passionate about being creative. For anyone who knew me growing up, I have always been one for independence, and I dislike working for anyone, so the oppurtunity to be my own boss, with my own hourse was also something that I was passionate about.

What are your passions? When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? When you browse books in the book store, what types of books do you generally navigate towards? Has anyone ever said to you that you should be some sort of occupation (ie. comedian, actor, etc) You can also try volunteering at your local community center, or any other services that peak your interest. Talk to people about their own careers, what their life purpose has been, etc.

Most importantly, look inside yourself for your own answers. Many of us know the answers that we need to be told, but many of us don't listen to them. Open up your heart and listen to that still small voice inside...hear what it is telling you. If you have troubles putting your every day thoughts out of your mind long enough to hear that voice, try meditation, which can help you relax enough to hear that voice.

When you are finding your life's purpose, keep in mind that every day, you will be encountering new experiences that will pull you in the direction of your life's purpose. It may be a simple conversation with the grocery clerk, or the homeless man on the corner. Use these experiences to delve into your own heart and discover what your life has been trying to tell you all along.

I promise you, you won't be disappointed!

Until next time,

Live love and love life,

xo

Learn more about this author, Catherine Graham.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.