Some patterns are easy to recognize. Others are not.
It seems the closer we are to a pattern, the harder it is to see. This is particularly true when it comes to finding your purpose. It may be clearly spelled out in the patterns of your life, but hidden because it’s so much a part of who you are.
Your Purpose May Be So Close, You Can’t Seen It
As humans, we are excellent at finding patterns. Sometimes even when patterns may not exist.
We do it with markets, trends, science, coding, and even love.
When it comes to identifying our own patterns, that skill seems to diminish. Much like how we can see others bad habits easier than our own. Ever see how some people dress and wonder if they even own a mirror?
The patterns that surround your purpose can come in the form of coincidence or synchronicity. Depending on your particular view, it can be a sign from God, the Universe pointing the way, your higher self, or just a bunch of patterns forming in your brain.
The interpretation isn’t important, the recognition is.
The Design Patterns of Your World
It’s impossible to see complex patterns if you’re not looking for them. Awareness is the key.
The act of conscious intention is the first step. Deciding to begin looking for patterns starts the process. Begin to look for patterns in your life and work:
- What comes naturally?
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What do people ask of you the most?
- What do others compliment you on?
- What draws your attention and excites you? (And no, your purpose is not Salma Hayek or George Clooney.)
Begin to pay attention to the patterns in your life. Some will be obvious, and others will be more obscure. See what signs consistently pop up.
You’re here to do something. The patterns of your life will tell you what that is.
Well…. what’s YOUR purpose?
Al – You know this ain’t about me, man 🙂 But if you must know, it’s helping others look at things differently, to realize everything is shaped by perception, and that true success comes from doing what only you can do.
Now, back to regularly scheduled, non-me related stuff… 😉
What draws your attention and excites you? (And no, your purpose is not Salma Hayek or George Clooney.)
Awww…..
Did I write this post? 🙂 Your ideas mirror mine so much here, Tony.
The patterns are there and we can see them if we’re open to them. Unfortunately, synchronicity isn’t something we’re taught to seek or recognize.
You’re so right on this, Tony. It is amazing how much help looking at how other people interact with us can help us to find our purpose. I guess it gives us some of the distance you talk about so we’re not too close to see the patterns of our lives.
Lorna – I know… 🙂
Carolyn – You’re right… It’s just like anything else, being aware and taking the time to look makes all the difference.
Rick – Seeing ourselves through the eyes of others can be a very informative experience. Often who we think we are, and who others think we are, can be very different.
Tony – wow – I loved your distinction – “The interpretation isn’t important, the recognition is.” In a way, recognizing sounds like a such a small thing, but it’s really HUGE. It helps us to begin to make connections. Without it, life can feel aimless or meaningless. I appreciate your clear, succinct writing style that packs a wallop of a message.
So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.
~ Morrie Schwartz
The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
~ Robert Byrne
I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be “happy.” I think the purpose of
life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honourable, to be compassionate. It is,
above all, to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.
~ Leo C. Rosten
As long as anyone believes that his ideal and purpose is outside him, that it is above the clouds, in the past or in the future, he will go outside himself and seek fulfillment where it cannot be found. He will look for solutions and answers at every point except where they can be found–in himself.
~ Erich Frohm
Thanks for the reminder to look for the patterns rather than agonising over the ‘answer’ 🙂
Joanna
Thank you for this article. Over the last 2 years or so I have noticed a lot of patterns in my life, telling me what to do, but I have largely ignored them and/or not understood what they were trying to tell me. Reading this has helped me more readily identify some of those patterns. I’m excited to see where it all takes me from here!