Finding Your Why

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.

Tinia Montford

During middle school, I found my purpose through D.E.A.R. period (Drop Everything and Read). During these thirty-minute sessions, I delved into numerous books until stumbling upon a pivotal one: “The House of Night” series by P.C. and Kirstin Cast.  Read more>>

Sonita Singwi

In my teens I recall standing in front of the painting Song of the Lark by Jules Breton, a 19th C French painter.. This painting depicts a young woman working on a farm at sunrise who seems transmuted.  Read more>>

Meg Auchenbach

I want to preface this question by explaining my thoughts on “purpose.” I believe we all have an inner purpose as well as an outer purpose. I think our inner purpose is to simply experience life as a human being. To be here now. I don’t think there’s anything we need to do to fulfill this purpose, aside from realizing it. Read more>>

Joshua Marchant

When I was a boy I didn’t think much about my purpose. Because I already knew what my purpose was, or at least I thought I did. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an attorney. I wanted to study the law. At the time I thought it was because I enjoyed arguing and of course all the money they make. I just knew that was what I wanted to be.  Read more>>

Samara Tillman

Since I was a young child, I have always found myself in situations where I was helping others, especially women & girls, when they were struggling with their emotions and simply just needing encouragement I was also the student that would see a need and create a solution to fulfill the need.  Read more>>

Athreya Ram

I found my purpose through a combination of introspection, experience, and a deep connection to storytelling. Growing up, I was always drawn to the power of narratives to inspire, educate, and provoke thought. Read more>>

Sandra Hardy

I found my purpose when my life took a turn for the worst in 2003, it was a chaotic and heavy hearted time because I was on active duty and preparing Soldiers to leave their families and go to war. I received a phone call that changed my life forever, it was the Red Cross informing me that my mother had a massive stroke.  Read more>>

ZuRui Chen

To be characters. I have a complicated family background, growing up having so many family dramas is one way traumatizing but in another way, provided so many opportunities for me to observe people.  Read more>>

Shandilin King

I’m on a journey to uncover my true purpose, and it all began with a pivotal moment in 2021 when a near-death car accident altered the course of my life. This experience was a profound catalyst, fueling my drive to pursue my business endeavors and chase my dreams relentlessly.  Read more>>

Cynthia Chen

Raised at the intersection of science and art by a traditional Chinese artist mother and a technically inclined physics teacher father, I found my purpose through a blend of academic rigor and creative exploration. From an early age, I delved into painting, piano, and the sciences, with a keen interest sparked by my first PC, first SONY DV and the film ‘Titanic’. Read more>>

Bryan Aghakhani

Finding purpose and striving to be the best version of oneself is a journey that requires dedication, self-reflection, and intentional planning. To identify purpose, requires a mixture of ethereal manifestation and actual execution. Read more>>

Bema Tadey

I’ve always carried my purpose in my pocket ever since I could remember. There were even times that I didn’t know what my purpose was, but it was always there knocking on my door waiting for me to open it. I was born in Baguio City, Philippines and Filipinos are known for how much we love music and that’s why music has been a part of my life from a very young age. Read more>>

Willian Silva

I began to find purpose in my life shortly after my divorce in 2021. I was a very reserved individual, didn’t post much on social media, and overall just kept to myself. That was until one day, I was scrolling and I saw an advertisement posted about becoming a brand ambassador for a clothing company. Read more>>

Lacy-Jo Gieger

I’ve had so much difficulty telling this story because it just feels like no words quite sum it up in its entirety so bear with me as I make my attempt. My purpose was born out of heartache and loss, as many are. It’s those heartbreaks that change us forever. I have seen how they can ravage through a person’s life, if they let them but also, how they can soften and illuminate others. The choice is up to us. Read more>>

Lisa Lu

I found my purpose by wanting to be happy. In order to do that, I needed a greater understanding of the things that make me who I am so I could become the best version of myself. What triggers me? What makes me feel happy, sad, scared, angry, strong, weak, confident or overwhelmed? Read more>>

Vonder Gray

I have only just, at 78< come to the realization that although I have always thought my purpose was art, or more broadly, the arts, my daughter recently told me my purpose is people. All through my life as an artist I have met so many people who have affected and influenced my life and shown me how to pass their wisdom & generosity forward. Read more>>

Sandra Tribioli

I have discovered my purpose on two significant occasions. The first was in 2002 when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. This led me to take charge of my health journey, expand my knowledge of nutrition, acquire certifications from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, and advocate for holistic wellness.  Read more>>

Kristen Chester

My personal journey as a breast cancer survivor drove me to ditch my corporate career, take a big leap of faith, and launch Casa Danu. Diagnosed at 34 years old and 6.5 months pregnant (in the midst of Covid), the idea came to me when I was at the lowest of my lows.  Read more>>

Cheryl Patella

My purpose has been ongoing. It has always been to help others. My earliest professional years were as a Flight Attendant “helping others” and I derived a great satisfaction from that. As I grew up and learned to plant my feet more firmly on the ground so to speak, I found depths to my life that I never dreamed of. Read more>>

Harley Sears

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have discovered my passion for hypnotherapy at such an early age and stage in my career. My initial experience as a psychiatric technician at a pediatric hospital exposed me to the profound impact that emotional, behavioral, and substance abuse challenges can have on someone’s life.  Read more>>

Gregory McKinney

Finding my purpose was a journey of self-discovery intertwined with a deep exploration of spirituality and emotional growth. It wasn’t a single epiphany but rather a gradual unfolding of understanding and realization. Read more>>

Yihua Li

My career started purely in the realm of visual arts, focusing on 3D rendering. I was passionate about creating visually compelling stories and experiences. However, my interest in AI sparked in 2020 when I first encountered an AI chatbot. Read more>>

Heather Carey

Growing up I played all sorts of sports; softball, basketball, soccer, skiing, dance… I loved team sports in particular. I had community, built trust with my coaches and teammates- I had a true sense of belonging and made great friends that I still am in touch with today even though I have moved 2000 miles from where I grew up.  Read more>>

Joanna Jacobs

I was 19 and living with three other girls in a small college town. I was working as a hostess and didn’t know what came next. Having grown up in New Jersey, there was always a part of me wishing to get back up north or to a city.  Read more>>

Ashlie Journet

Whew… I found my purpose through what I once considered setbacks. Let’s rewind back to middle school; I failed 9th grade and tried my hardest to catch up on my credits to graduate on time with the rest of my original class in 2006. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and I say “fortunately” because little did I know that these life events would lead me to my purpose later in life. Read more>>

Emily Sirois

Honestly, in the past I never truly knew that being a photographer was my purpose. My father and I always shared a bond over photography but I never believed that I would ever be ‘good enough’ to take it to the professional level.  Read more>>

Spencer Weitzel

Purpose! I’m not entirely sure I have found it found it. Not specifically, anyway. But BROADLY, I know that I am to live a creative life, tell stories, and… a funny third option. I’m still working on it. I know this much – When I’m watching a play, a film, or a series, sometimes I’m moved profoundly, sometimes I can work out a problem in my life or learn something new, and sometimes I just laugh and escape for a moment and it’s… everything. Read more>>

Ron Graham

Finding my purpose was an unexpected journey of events. Once upon a time, I was a 31-year old Captain with the Texas state prison system, 13 years into a career in which I expected to achieve my career goal of making Warden by the time I retired.  Read more>>

Martin Nachev

From a young age I was immersed in art. My father was a muralist and my mother a printmaker, so I was always inspired watching them work through their creative projects. I’m grateful they would make it a point to take me to museums and galleries and nurture my creativity growing up. Read more>>

Leone Germaneau

I came to realise that only 1 thing kept on coming back in my life. I’ve had multiple hobbies along the years, dance, musique, sport, personal growth, etc. That I would stop and go back to later on. One day, I just realised that music was the only thing that always stayed. I’m singing every single day, always. Read more>>

Robin Krause

I found my purpose through years of health issues. Learning about them, healing them and overcoming the obstacles of the everyday with them. Watching family members struggle and feeling helpless. I knew there was a better answer and wished I could help, I had to learn there is no one way for healing. Read more>>

Leah Austin

When it came to giving God my yes, it did not come easy. I had to step back to reflect on what that truly meant. This would not be any type of yes, it was one that was the start of me getting off what I like to call the hamster wheel. If you were like me, you understand what that means, to be riding on something and not going anywhere.  Read more>>

LifeBeginsafter50/Gail McCauley

I’m still working on finding my ‘specific’ purpose- but I know that my purpose here on earth is to serve God. Read more>>

Imani Webb

So, growing up, I was a person who always wanted to understand life beyond the veil. What I mean by this is the fact that so many people take life at face value, casually going through the motions and being okay with settling for less. With me, I was always different. Even as a baby, I was the child who was always asking questions and always wanting to know more about the world around me as well as the world on the inside of me. Read more>>

Dr. Natiya Guin

I believe my purpose is to utilize the art of health to support women and families globally, by putting people at the center of their physical and mental healthcare. When we feel seen, we are empowered..and when we are empowered, our confidence in ourselves and our ability to heal has no bounds. Read more>>

Delton Harper

When I realized my sole existence on the earth was simply because God had need of me to fulfill an assignment, or to bring a divine solution to an earthly problem. I found my purpose when I exchanged how I viewed myself for how God views me. Read more>>

Rebecca Zayas

After college, I became a property and casualty underwriter. I was really successful, but there was a great divide between my head and my heart. So, I went seeking. That’s when I went back to school for a graduate degree in Mental Health. Read more>>

Ceren Türkmenoğlu

When I look back on the path of finding my purpose, I see that my feelings showed me the way and led me to where I am today.I am a multi-instrumentalist and a composer. The violin has been my passion since I first saw it as a child. I always felt fortunate to pursue my dream and receive an education in violin. Read more>>