by Dossie M Terrell

Created on: September 17, 2009   Last Updated: May 13, 2012

You may at some point in time question why are you here. What are you suppose to accomplish? Your purpose in life may still remain elusive. But until you can answer those questions, you will probably go on searching for meaning in your life. Consider the following in your search.

* Getting rid of old baggage
* Establishing a value system
* Be courageous
* Staying in the present

Get rid of old baggage
If you feel emotionally overwhelmed, stop and give yourself credit for being a good person. Get a single, lined piece of paper and draw a vertical line down the middle. On the left side, write down all the emotional turbulence that is churning inside; do not leave out a single emotion. On the right side, write down the cause for each of them. For example, if doubt is an emotion, what caused it? Go back to that point in time and reclaim your identity. If it was a parent or spouse that caused it, forgive them and leave the emotion back there. Do that for each emotion on your list. It may take doing this exercise a couple of times before you feel you finally have cast off all the restrictive emotions. When you are finally successful, you will be free to start looking for and finding meaning in your life.

Establish a value system
Establish a way of thinking or viewpoints about things that is all your own. Determine what principles you espouse and hold fast to them. Somewhere in these principles you should be able to determine your passions. Create a list of the things you would like to pursue. Do not be afraid to think big or to reach beyond the commonplace to the extraordinary. Visit your list each day to reinforce your desire for change or to update it with new items. The idea is to keep the need for change foremost in your mind and in all your actions. Take a step-by-step approach until you reach the goals you have set for yourself.

Be courageous
Finally, do not sit back watching others live their lives. If you are habitually shy, be courageous and step-out and step-into life and start being a part of the action. You are braver than you think.

Stay in the present
Be mindful, you only have only one life to live. You do not have the luxury of reliving today tomorrow. It is a one-shot deal and you should live each day with all the passion you can muster. Do not judge the events of today by looking at yesterday's failings. The positive aspect of each new day is the ability to start anew or to get right what went wrong yesterday. Remember, you can do anything you set your mind to.

When you determine your purpose in life, you will find meaning. When you learn to live life without past regrets, you will not allow limiting emotions from the past to prevent you from finding meaning in your life. If you are carrying around old restrictive emotions, you will find it akin to rowing against a current, so get rid of them.

Once you are free emotionally, establish a set of principle around which you will live your life. Within this structured setting, you can begin looking for your meaning in life. You should be bold, courageous and expansive. Remember, the sky is the limit . When you discover your true calling, there will not be enough hours in the day to pursue the many facets of your passion.

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