Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly, but so often folks live life without thinking about their purpose. We believe that thinking about your purpose and trying to identify what it might be is one of the most impactful things you can do to level up your life, career, and general level of happiness and fulfillment. Having a sense of what your why is will help you become a better decision maker which inevitably will improve your life. Below, you’ll find some interesting discussions, stories and perspectives around find your purpose.
Fred Focus Lavergne
I’d say being exposed to a lot of different scenarios early on, both good and bad. As well as navigating through different friend groups, of different ages really helped me find my purpose. Read more>>
Shanthra Sparks
I am a wife, mother, and the Pastor of Word of Faith Assemblies in Valencia.CA. Additionally, I am an entrepreneur and the founder of Changing Lives Consultants (C.L.C.), My training is in Cognitive Behavior Therapy. We provide the tools, coping skills and techniques that are needed to managed your emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Read more>>
Starry Ye
My purpose began to take shape early in my career, back when I first worked in the fast-paced world of producing true crime documentaries with CNN. Even then, I felt the impact of storytelling and the sense of responsibility that comes with conveying meaningful stories to the public. In that role, I discovered the power of a well-told story to inform, inspire, and sometimes even transform perspective. Read more>>
David Pérez
Reflecting on my journey as a musician, my purpose became clear through the confluence of experiences, opportunities, and the guidance of remarkable mentors. From my early studies in piano performance at the University of the Arts in Cuba to my current pursuit of a Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance at the University of Kansas, my path has been shaped by a deep passion for music and the desire to share it with others. Read more>>
Liberty Gonzalez M.a. (they/them)
Growing up amid family conflict, I took refuge among the trees and creatures of my neighborhood. As a child who knew I was different, yet did not yet have the language of queerness, culture, oppression or belonging, I was informed by the lessons I took from nature about how to live in harmony with all things. As I came into a systemic understanding of the injustices of the world, I was move by the passionate actions of social movements to raise awareness and push for big changes. A formative time in my life was participating in the Occupy Movement and the ecovillage movement through Tryon Life Community Farm, which helped me to embrace my own intersectional identity as a genderqueer Pagan Jew, and led to me anti-racism organizing, reparations work and ultimately my career as a DEI and organizational thriving coach and consultant. Read more>>
Melody Honey-odette
Finding my purpose wasn’t a single moment of revelation, it was a journey, shaped by every challenge, heartbreak, and lesson life threw my way. It wasn’t something I sought out intentionally at first. Instead, it was born from my darkest moments and the small steps I took toward healing.
My purpose began to reveal itself when I realized I needed to heal, not just for my children but for myself. That realization set me on a path of self-discovery, learning, and growth. It wasn’t easy. Every book I read, every course I took, every meditation and breathwork, every sleepless night I endured, was another piece of the puzzle coming together. Another small piece of my soul coming back together. Read more>>
Gretchen Kubacky, Psy.d.
My father died unexpectedly when I was 13 years old, and my family really struggled to make sense of his death – mostly, we tucked our grief away and soldiered on stoically with life – but the effects of such a loss are profound, and don’t go away just because you ignore them. My mother’s mental health deteriorated, my brother began acting out in school, and I wanted nothing more than to escape this depressing environment. But hints of grief kept popping up, I never felt satisfied that I really understood precisely how our family had fallen apart, and finally, after years of generic supportive therapy, I found a group that specialized in suicide loss, and that was the beginning of para-professional work in suicide loss, and eventually, drove my decision to change careers. Read more>>
Virginia Carnesale
I found my purpose through a cancer journey – mine actually. Which may sound strange but, receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in my early 40s with no signs, symptoms or family history that I knew of, and everything that came after — 5 surgeries, chemo, radiation and 5 years of endocrine therapy — felt nothing short of earth-shattering. Read more>>
Vedika Mehra
Being a quiet kid, I spent a lot of time reading and drawing. My mom has always been an inspiration to me—she encouraged my creativity from a young age. She was always painting or doing something creative, though she couldn’t pursue being an artist herself. I believe this is when I first discovered drawing as a means of communication. I loved making greeting cards for my family and friends’ birthdays because it allowed me to express myself in a way that felt comfortable. Reading helped me transform words into visuals, fueling my imagination. I realized that I always wanted to pursue art and design. Read more>>
Elizabeth Boisson
Our beautiful son Morgan, the light of our lives, passed at the Base Camp of Mount Everest in Tibet on October 20th, 2009. He was studying in Nanjing, China, for the second time, pursuing a double major in East Asian Studies and French. He had traveled to Lhasa two days before with thirteen other students. They had left by bus the previous morning, traveling from 11,000 feet to almost 19,000 feet in altitude in less than two days. The rapid change in altitude was fatal to Morgan. Read more>>
Alexandra Skora
A lot of trial and error! I always knew that I wanted to do something related to music but I wasn’t sure what — I grew up playing classical piano and jamming with my dad, then transitioned into making beats in high school, followed by making my own demos as an artist, learning how to DJ in college, and interning at music companies. I basically tried every path that I thought could satisfy me before ultimately realizing that being an artist is what is truly meaningful to me; a question I ask people that I hold true to myself is when you’re on your deathbed, what will you look back on and be proud of yourself for having done? It became clear to me when thinking about all of the options I tried that it’s the artist route. Read more>>
Lauren Gilhula
This one goes deep.
I found my purpose in the depths of grief and I discover new layers of my purpose through grief.
My first encounter with profound grief was when one of my childhood besties, Nicole was killed in a car accident the summer we were 12.
I call her my twin soul as we were born a day apart and were two peas in a pod and even looked alike. Read more>>
George Petty
After years of struggling with substance misuse—including heroin, alcohol, and other substances—along with homelessness, I felt like I had let down my family and everyone who ever cared about me. Through these trials and tribulations, I finally found my purpose. With the help and support I received from the Shine A Light Foundation, I was able to rebuild my life. Now, it has become my life’s mission to help others who are facing the same challenges I once did, offering hope and support to those in need. Read more>>
Tyler Selee
Finding my purpose was a long and winding journey, all told. For a lot of my early and mid twenties, I found myself wandering and living day-to-day. I struggled with a drinking problem and untreated mental illness for a few years, and the process of working to fully address my struggles would not be realized until I was nearly thirty. Read more>>
Ashley Ugarte
I found my purpose by combining my passion for chocolate with my desire to honor my Mexican heritage. Growing up, the traditions of my family, like sipping Mexican hot chocolate while making tamales, left a deep impression on me. Working as a chocolatier at Dandelion Chocolate solidified my love for the craft, but I noticed Mexican cacao—the origin of chocolate—was often overlooked. That realization lit a fire within me to create something that celebrated the rich history and culture of Mexican cacao. Read more>>
Melissa Russell
I attended the University of Texas at Austin for undergrad and graduate school and worked in marketing and as a freelance journalist in Austin. I loved going deep into learning about a subject and communicating it in such a way that people could understand the substance quickly. I eventually transitioned into an opportunity to work with donors at UT Austin, and I discovered how much I loved working with people and utilizing those journalistic skills of communicating complex issues in ways that connected people’s passion for giving with programs making a real difference. Read more>>
Kenya Profit
Growing up, I always had an idea of where I wanted to go in life. I knew what career I wanted to pursue and step by step how it was going to happen. School was always easy for me and it was something I didn’t have to worry about. It wasn’t until freshman year of college that I realized I was in for a rude awakening. I was miles away from home, independent, and curious. With all these new experiences around me and never really having to study, I took my classes for granted and didn’t prioritize as well as I should have, I also came to realize I didn’t enjoy what I was pursuing. I felt lost and uncertain about the future. I didn’t know what I was doing or where I was going. I ended up forming a co-dependent relationship with my first real boyfriend and isolated myself from developing friendships. Read more>>
Sarah Paulk
As a child, I would often find myself lost in the company of animals, feeling more at ease with them than with people. My relationship with animals seemed to go beyond the ordinary understanding of a child’s affection for pets. It was as if I was part of a larger, invisible conversation. I could tell when a dog was feeling anxious or when a cat was seeking comfort. The slightest change in their body language, their eyes, or even the way they moved, would tell me everything I needed to know. It felt like a gift, though I often kept it to myself, unsure if anyone else experienced the same thing. Read more>>
Katharine Chestnut
I had a professor while at University and he was fond of saying, ‘do what you love and the money will come’. I never forgot that but found that doing what I loved meant I was happy and more satisfied with my life. Eventually, that translated to knowing that doing what I loved was my purpose and I was able to do it more easily. Read more>>
La’tina Benson
Discovering my purpose has been a deeply fascinating and transformative journey that has shaped my understanding of myself and the world around me. My career began in the beauty industry, where I dove headfirst into an environment teeming with creativity, innovation, and the art of self-expression. I was surrounded by talented individuals who shared a passion for aesthetics, and I soon developed a profound appreciation for the ways in which beauty can enhance an individual’s confidence and shape their identity. However, despite the excitement and energy of the industry, I often felt that something essential was missing from my work. Read more>>
Larry Walshe
I’m going to be honest…everyone kept telling me when I was young that I needed to decide what I wanted to do with my life and I felt a huge weight and responsibility, largely in the hope of not disappointing my parents, of finding “my purpose”.
When I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, people would tell me that it would come to me, almost like it was a gift that would be delivered to my doorstep so first off, I wanted patiently and hoped for said epiphany to arrive…it didn’t. Read more>>
Christian Rasmussen
Honestly, everything that I’m doing sort of seemed to fall into my lap. I wasn’t necessarily striving for anything above the fact that I wanted to do something big here and I wanted to help people. I wasn’t sure what that looked like, but I felt it and I believed it whole heartedly. Read more>>
Antonia Williams
It took some wandering before I discovered my true purpose. I always seem to have a story to share, and here’s mine. One day in 2018, after returning home from my job at a daycare, I felt a deep sense of sadness and unfulfillment. Two years out of college, I was working as a lead teacher, thanks to my degree in birth through kindergarten education, but I sensed there was so much more to life waiting for me. I longed for a job that truly fulfilled me. That day, I decided to talk to God about my feelings. I paced in my living room, praying earnestly for Him to reveal my purpose. I cried and pleaded for guidance. Read more>>
Lauren Johnson
I tell anyone that will listen, my professional journey has been a walk fueled by my faith. My purpose is fully due to my relationship with God. My constant prayer is “God, please make sure that what I am doing is on the path that you have for me, and not the path that I have created for myself in your name.” No matter how difficult the road may get, I remind myself that this journey is not and has never been about me. With that, I am able to accept that whatever hardships may come, as it is preparing me to be able to do something beautiful on the other side. Read more>>
Mariah Madden
Finding my purpose through God has been a deeply personal journey. It began with prayer, where I sought God’s guidance and asked Him to show me the way. As I spent more time in His presence, I felt a growing sense of clarity. Studying Scripture became a source of wisdom for me, and I found verses that spoke directly to my heart, helping me understand God’s plan for my life. Listening to the Holy Spirit and being open to His promptings helped me recognize the gifts and passions He had placed within me. Serving others and showing love became an important part of my life, as I felt called to reflect God’s love through my actions. I also found strength in being part of a faith community, where the wisdom of others helped me grow and understand my purpose more clearly. Embracing my unique talents and living intentionally, while trusting in God’s timing, gradually revealed the path He had for me. Read more>>
Joy Jones
The way that I found my Purpose was by applying my skills toward contributing to the greater good in a way that mattered to me. So, by identifying what i cared about was an important first step. Sometimes it can be hard to single out one or two things that matter most to you because your circle of care and concern is far-ranging. Understanding what you value most may help you narrow down your purpose in life to something manageable that also truly resonates with you. I had to identify my personal strengths and embrace them fully. Then, I applied them toward something that I really cared about. Read more>>
Cory O’neal
It was difficult finding the industry I wanted to work in long term when I got out of college. I tried my hand at accounting, car sales, and gig work but nothing seemed to fit. It was when I was helping an interior designer set up her office furniture that she gave me the idea to start a Receiving Company and I have never looked back. I would say that I find purpose in providing a good place to work where all people are valued. It is harder and harder to find a job that is fulfilling, fun, and pays well so I take pride in having created such an environment. Read more>>
Karen Norian
Growing up in New York, I always figured that my life would follow the trajectory of going to college, graduating, and then working in New York City. I had plans of becoming an editor at a magazine, and in college, I received an internship to a big name editorial magazine and thought everything was falling into place – until it didn’t. I absolutely hated the toxic work environment, the mean-girl atmosphere, and the overall day-to-day work. It crushed me, because the future I thought I’d have was evaporating right in front of my eyes. However, the one outlet I had was photography. I began shooting in college, and it turned into a side hustle ever since I began taking it more seriously. Read more>>
Lilith Jasper
I don’t necessarily think I found my purpose, moreso I stumbled into it. Borderlinepunkdesign originally started as an outlet for my creativity with gothic clothes and jewelry, but because I am diagnosed with autism I wanted to add a line of spooky fidgets that matched my aesthetic. After finding that there was a need for fidgets that not only matched with people’s love of the darker side of life based on customer reviews and comments, I focused more on providing alternative fidgets and chewelry rather than the clothes and jewelry that started Borderlinepunkdesign. I found that my purpose in life is to serve my wonderful neurodivergent community by continuing to advocate, provide a safe space for, and supply gothic sensory tools to help accommodate people in their daily lives. I love my job and feel extremely blessed to be able to help make a difference. Read more>>
Paulette Martini
I found my purpose through my own struggles with health. I was so tired of feeling unwell and stuck, like my body was holding me back from the life I wanted to live. That frustration lit a fire in me to figure things out—not just for myself, but for others who feel like they’re in the same fight. Training and nutrition became my way forward, and helping others find that same freedom became my purpose. There’s nothing better than seeing someone realize what their body is capable of when they treat it with care. Read more>>
Holly Demarino
My sense of purpose began to take shape during high school in my small hometown, where access to specialized healthcare was a significant challenge. Seeing families travel long distances— sometimes up to two hours—for essential services deeply affected me.
Around that time, I learned about “music therapy” from our church choir director. Discovering its potential to help people, especially those facing health challenges, inspired me to pursue a path focused on healthcare accessibility and innovation. Read more>>
Georgie Pulman-olzaski
Like most small businesses mine started out because I had a need, and there wasn’t a solution in the marketplace. The year was 2007, my husband and I were working as professional skydivers in Waialua, Hawaii when we discovered a mother and three Pitbull/Rottweiler, newly born puppies that were being neglected. They were in a dreadful condition and had fleas at 6 days old, it was absolutely heartbreaking. We worked with the owner so that we could care for the mother and puppies, and ensure the puppies would find good homes … and of course, one of the puppies chose us to be her family. Read more>>
Tony Temple, Ii
I’d say finding my purpose was a journey that started with developing an understanding of who I am and what truly drives me. My background as an athlete taught me discipline, teamwork, and the importance of staying mentally and physically strong. But more than that, it showed me the power of mentorship and giving back. Read more>>
Nicholas Pelekis
That’s a great question, though I’m not sure if I found my purpose—or if my purpose found me.
From as far back as I can remember, I was always creative and drawn to the arts. However, growing up, pursuing art wasn’t met with much encouragement. The prevailing belief was that being an artist meant facing a lifetime of financial struggle and unemployment. People often ask artists, “But what do you really do for a living?” as if art could only ever be a hobby.
To sidestep that stigma, I chose a career in design—a creative field that promised stability and a respectable income. It felt like a good compromise: I could work creatively while avoiding uncomfortable conversations about being “just an artist.” Read more>>
