Are you longing to know your purpose and left wondering:
Where can it be found?
What is it?
How can you make a difference?
Maybe you feel like your wandering down a path, but yet you’re directionless.
If so, let’s start with these questions:
What are you gifted to do?
What are your talents?
What do others say you do well?
What legacy would you love to leave?
What do you dream of doing?
Chances are if you’ve been wondering about your purpose, you’ve been asking yourself those questions for years. Maybe you’re even beginning to feel like that puzzle that you’ve worked so hard to put together, but when you get to the end you realize there is one piece missing.
Oh I know that feeling well. I told my husband one day, “I long to be a perfectly completed 1000 piece puzzle, but I realize I’m more of a mosaic — jagged chipped edges and all. My life’s pieces don’t fit together nice and neat. However, God has used each piece to make something beautiful and positively me as He is the mortar that holds my life together.”
However, there was something deep down that made the answers to all those questions above precious. If you take time to research and question yourself, the answers will begin to explain and reveal the purpose of your uniqueness; your call on life. If you’ve never taken time to examine and know yourself deep down to the core, take some moments – days – or weeks to do that. But I need to warn you, don’t get hung up with that part of your journey.
Hello, my name is Alene and I’m a self-help addict! I struggled for years trying to find that all illusive “one purpose” that I was created for. If you are a “self-help” junkie like me, you probably live in the self-help section of the bookstore. I sure did! I couldn’t get enough information about personalities, strengths, leadership, passions and so on. I read continuously everything I could get my hands on and my mind around, YET I was still frustrated. Why couldn’t I figure out my purpose?
I learned a lot about myself in the process (that was a good thing), but after finishing every book and exercise within I still walked away feeling empty. Journaling daily the answers to the questions listed above I felt empty. I wondered if I had anything unique to offer.
Trying to fit my life into this perfect puzzle, I finally found the piece I was missing. If you are struggling to come to peace with the purpose you are uniquely made for, don’t give up. There is one key component that most self-help books do not present and that is your gifts were meant to serve others.
I thought for years my purpose and gifts were for me. If I was created to write, speak, or be a photographer then those unique attributes were there to make me who I was. While at the core part of that is truth, I was wearing the wrong thinking cap. Deep down my purpose didn’t have anything to do with “me.” My purpose, gifts, talents, were all for serving and helping others.
Missing that piece of your purpose puzzle is critical because that’s where the intimate experience of our purposeful life springs forth. The joy of seeing another person benefit from the way we serve them is priceless. It measures beyond any feeling of trying to be “someone” with a unique purpose.
Think about this for a moment, have you ever been where you are so caught up in the moment of what you are doing that all your emotion, passion, and soul feel like one and your lost in time? That moment. that piece of time, that emotion is priceless.
Maybe you weren’t quite sure where that sweet emotion came from, but there was no denying that something was stirring within your soul. Chances are at that moment the gifts you have collided with another soul in some profound way and thus your true purpose was able to shine forth. < —- click here to tweet.
That full-blown soul-enriching emotion you experienced says so much.
It says . . . this is a moment I’ll never forget.
It says . . . there is something to this that resonates with my soul.
It says . . . this thing I’m doing touches the very core of my heart.
It says . . . this is how I long to serve others.
It says . . . this is where I want to be.
It says . . . this is what I’m called to do.
It says . . . THIS is my purpose.
Alene is living positively on purpose as a south Texas girl that has been called to speak, write, and live on purpose. She is the author of Dirty Laundry Secrets, eBooks and magazine articles. You can receive a FREE eBook about how this suburban girl met the streets by subscribing to her updates at Positively Alene. You can connect with her on Facebook, and Twitter.
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I can totally relate with what you related in this post. For me, finding my purpose is something that took me to a lot of places and made me try a lot of things to find where I really belong.
Angel invites you to read… the truth about jamorama
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 23rd, 2012 at 7:40 am
I am with you. Following different paths definitely helped bring my purpose into clearer focus. Great point!
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… {001 podcast} 3 steps to living on purpose.
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I can relate to some of the things you mentioned here. Although I’ve found my passion, I think that is just part of the missing piece. There is so much more..
Glori Surban invites you to read… Introvert Myth: Dark Knight Rises Shooting and Introverted Killers?
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 23rd, 2012 at 7:42 am
Glori – I would love to know more of your thoughts? I’d be interested in hearing more of your journey to finding your passionate purpose.
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… {001 podcast} 3 steps to living on purpose.
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Glori Surban Reply:
July 24th, 2012 at 6:37 am
Thanks for showing interest Alene.
Writing is my passion, but I feel that there so many more missing pieces, such as finding love, starting a family, etc.
I just feel that there is so much more to come.
Glori Surban invites you to read… This Introvert Wants to Enter the Den
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:40 am
Yes, yes, yes – there is so much more. As long as we keep our eyes on others doors revealing those missing pieces will emerge! Thanks girl.
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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Puzzles always make me crazy at the end, I always have to search for the last couple of parts. The purpose puzzle is the biggest puzzle I’ve ever met, it might have millions of parts and the image is complex as well…
Karola invites you to read… Baden im See
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 23rd, 2012 at 10:28 am
I’m chuckling. I don’t like puzzles either. I’ve tried a few, but always end up walking away frustrated. Life is a puzzle – I have learned not to be frustrated in the journey though by putting my eyes on others. Great thoughts here, Karola.
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… {001 podcast} 3 steps to living on purpose.
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We all experience these “lost in time” moments every day of our lives but I think most of us are so busy and caught in everyday minutia that we miss the opportunity to take it all the way in.
If we want to better put our purpose puzzles together, we have to take the time to realize how important it is to even begin gathering the pieces.
Thank you for making me aware Positive Alene
Coach Comeback invites you to read… Having a Love/Hate Relationship with Love and Relationships
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I love that thought — gathering the pieces! Isn’t that so true?
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… {001 podcast} 3 steps to living on purpose.
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Hi Alene,
Thank you for sharing this with us and it sounds a lot of people can relate to what you’re sharing, me included. I struggled with this for years wondering why I was even here. It seemed that everything good that came into my life was taken away and I felt I hadn’t learned any lesson from those experiences.
I’m much older than a lot of people online and it did take me a number of years before I finally understood where I fit into this crazy old world. I do believe I finally found my place and I just appreciate knowing I’m not the only one who had a hard time figuring it all out.
Hope both you ladies enjoy your week.
~Adrienne
Adrienne invites you to read… Why You Need Google Authorship
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 23rd, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Adrienne – love your comments straight from the heart. I’m not sure why I complicated my journey so. I have had a blessed life, but still found myself unworthy to have a life of meaning. So thankful that crazy journey is over – I still question some days but am much better about getting to what is important — serving others. Bless you!
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… {001 podcast} 3 steps to living on purpose.
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What a great topic. Finding our purpose is so important. It took me a while to do it. I spent time in therapy, and other modalities of self growth. But I found it!
One thing that I often think of is that our purpose is not finite. As we change and grow, so does our purpose. To me it is like a lotus blossom. I always have that picture in my head of growth during our journey through life.
Although I found my core purpose and now can identify who I am, with growth, my purpose grows too.
Blessings,
Donna
Donna Merrill invites you to read… The Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:41 am
Donna – what a beautiful picture of the blossoming flower. We definitely are blossoming daily. Seeing our purpose of serving others come alive is so refreshing!
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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Hi Alene
Great post! Finding your purpose in life is really important, but this can get frustrating at times.
One lesson that I have learnt on my journey to find my purpose is to never stop looking for it. At times, you are just not able to figure out your purpose and after a couple of tries, you might be tempted to give up. You may also think that it’s too late for you to figure things out or bring about changes in your life. But you should never give up. Keep looking for it because when you do, everything in your life starts to make sense – you finally feel at peace with everything.
Gaori invites you to read… Emergency Fund: A financial must-have for every woman
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Gaori – I totally relate with you here. It wasn’t until I got out of the self-help section and began serving others that my purpose began to take shape. Our purpose will never come to life if we are serving ourself, our purpose lives out loud as we serve others. And it’s a totally awesome feeling when it all starts to make sense!! Peace for sure. Thanks.
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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Finding my purpose was great, helping others find their purpose has been AMAZING! In fact at this very moment I am helping a young man hind his purpose, and it is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this with us Alene!
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:45 am
Oh my – I totally agree. Inspiring others to see that they have something special to offer and seeing them step into that purpose is AMAZING! Thanks for helping others. I can feel your passion.
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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Alex Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 5:09 am
I agree Steve. I am 25 and every year I realize what my life mistakes were and what I did wrong. It is positive feeling to discover yourself and the age helps us with this feeling. I feel I am 99% done and my career and personal life is going in a good way. I wish everybody the best!
Alex invites you to read… 4 Backlink Building Strategies To Beat Panda
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Hi Alene
I smiled to myself when reading “you probably live in the self-help section of the bookstore”. I did a lot of that. I have been around personal development in lots of forms for most of my life. I questioned everything!
I am like Donna and as I grow older and have grown as a person so has my purpose.
A great read thanks Alene
Sue
Sue Price invites you to read… Work from Home – Network Marketing
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:47 am
Thanks Sue. I have to admit — I’m still drawn to that self-help section. I love learning about myself, but that’s of no use if I’m not stretching myself and using what I learn to bless others. You made me smile — maybe I’ll see you around the corner in the self-help section one day.
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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I agree with you.. In life we may feel incomplete because there’s something missing which we need to find. But once we found it, this made us more happier and complete.
Born27 invites you to read… Meetme Conference
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Feeling incomplete with that missing piece is exasperating! My missing piece was learning how to serve others with my gifts and strengths – then BAM that peace finally came. Hope you are feeling happy and complete today!
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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This was super, Alene! Your puzzle vs mosaic story is one of the best I’ve heard. Ever. I’d never have thought of it like that but the second you said it I had an immediate sense of “yeah, that’s exactly it!” I’m with you 100% on the idea of serving others. I’ve read tons of stuff scientifically speaking that people are happiest when they are helping others and making others happy. We’re social beings… long before Facebook and Pinterest figured it out, and we’re all interconnected. And if we can find the talent or passion in us that we can share with the world… well, that’s icing on a delicious cake, isn’t it
Carol Lynn invites you to read… Small Business, Big Lessons: How To Learn The Hard Way And Live To Earn Another Day
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:52 am
Smiling here and thankful for another mosaic girl! I’ve learned to be thankful for my mosiac as it chipped piece has helped me in serving those that I do. For years those pieces didn’t make sense — grow up country, went to school to be a vet, married a military man, traveled the world, became a stay at home mom, was led to ministry, teaching and speaking, then landed on the streets helping the homeless. Girl – I wanted a puzzle that fit together – but in a crazy way this one does! Blessings as you serve others.
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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Hi Alene,
I can completely relate to you here. You are so right, most self development books don’t explain that your gift is meant to help others.
I firmly believe that we are all connected and no one is or supposed to be an island. We are here to help each other.
I am in self development too and that’s also where you can find me in book stores. I am glad I met you here at Stacy’s and will be sure to check you out at your place.
Sylviane Nuccio invites you to read… What Is Your Job And What Isn’t When It Comes To Manifest What You Want
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:54 am
Thank you for stopping by and leaving an encouraging note. Maybe I’ll see you one day too in the self-help section of the book store. {smile} Maybe I read and others told me that my gifts and strengths were to be used to serve others, but some how for years I missed that missing piece. Thanks girl!
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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A truly instructive post.
For me I discovered this in a slightly different way. I actually realized, after much searching that I’m here to represent my God just as my Saviour Jesus Christ did while on earth. I came to this realization when I saw it written, “for you have created all things and for your own good pleasure they are and were created.”
And just as the Lord Jesus went about doing good when he was here, so I now realize that I’m here to be his vessel to touch the lives of my fellow humans. With this understanding I now use my talents as a writer to help as many as come in contact with me.
Knowing the power of the word, both written and spoken, it has become my vehicle for fulfilling my purpose.
Chadrack invites you to read… An Innovative Way How Blog Commenting Can Make You an A-list Blogger!
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Alene Snodgrass Reply:
July 25th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Chadrack – preach it!!! Love it – this is totally the meaning of it all. If we don’t live as the Lord of Peace, Jesus, did — serving others, than how can we expect to find that peace we long for by being “me centered?” I so appreciate your words here — keep those words full of power and life out in front of others. May Jesus be seen in all that we do. Thanks friend!
Alene Snodgrass invites you to read… stop for the one = wrecked.
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I definitely like the analogy between a puzzle and purpose, and from now on I know that my problems with purpose are similar to my problems with completing puzzles. I think it must be the lack of patience:)
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Positively Alene Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
I’m totally not a puzzle girl either. Patience certainly helps, which I lack most of the time. But serving others a long my journey helped bring my called purpose in to clear vision. Thanks!
Positively Alene invites you to read… if you want to win, you can’t be a shrinking violet.
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Let’s say you’re 30 years old and still haven’t found that purpose yet… is it safe to say you are never going to find it in your life? Or will it come to you later?
I’m interested in your thoughts!
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Positively Alene Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
What a great statement! I felt like this for many years, like there was this great purpose to which I was created for but how in the world was I to find it or even figure it out. The key for me was getting my eyes off myself and serving other people. It seemed once I gave up the inward search and served outwardly my purpose began to come a clearer picture. Keep perusing by serving others. I think you’ll be amazed at what you’ll soon find out.
Positively Alene invites you to read… if you want to win, you can’t be a shrinking violet.
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Brilliant blog post! We all have each purposes. But, the one that is main in purposes is our entire life on how we will take good care of it and improve what we have done less. Thank you so much.
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Sometimes thinking too much about your purpose in life leaves you idle. Looking at your talents and and strengths can help you determine your purpose in life.
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