Growing up in the fifties and sixties with my twin sister, I believe our parents saw our purpose as follows: to find a nice Jewish boy to marry and take care of us (and it wouldn’t hurt if the family had money). In fact, the main reason for us to attend college was to acquire a MRS. along with a teaching degree (to be used as a fallback position in case the husband was not a good provider or a cheater). Always the “good girl”, I didn’t disappoint. I graduated Boston University School Of Education with a B.S. in French in May and got married in June.
Even today, many believe that life’s purpose equals upward social mobility, to establish a career, accumulate wealth, to compete and win and to have power.
A cornerstone of Judaism is that every human being is created by God to live a life of purpose and that our lives are therefore meaningful. How do we know our own specific purpose? According to my religion, everything happens by Divine Providence and if a person is presented with a certain opportunity, it was sent from above and should be treated as if it is your purpose.
In other words, life has a way of showing us our purpose, if we only listen. Some indicators are “what do others consistently seek you out for” and “what do you keep volunteering for”? You may not find your purpose until later in life, and it may not be the career path you (or your parents) chose.
“Finding your purpose is about listening to an inner calling that is passionate and compulsive”. When you are living with purpose you feel excitement, contentment or both. The poet Rumi said “Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love”.
I always loved learning languages and had an affinity for both Spanish and French. I also love helping people who are struggling. However, my career path led me in a different direction first to publishing, then law. One day my ex husband, who owned a car wash, accidentally locked the keys to a BOCES superintendant’s car in her car, and spent the afternoon singing my praises, which led me to my dream job and the discovery of my purpose in life. (Divine Providence?)
I became an ESL Teacher in Eastern Suffolk BOCES Adult Literacy Program and a Bilingual Counselor. I was here to help immigrants have an easier, better life in this country. I felt that excitement and contentment every day, despite earning very little. To this day, I see my former students in restaurants all over Suffolk County and am so pleased at their progress.
When I help people become happier, more connected, and have greater clarity about why they are here, I am fulfilling my purpose. It may be that when we give to others, it becomes the foundation of a more meaningful life. Let me know what you think. I value your comments, questions and ideas! Let’s talk next week…..XOXO. Penny
Resources
How To Know If You Are Working and Living with Purpose by Shelley Prevost
5 Reasons Why Most People Never Discover Their Purpose by Shelley Prevost
Jewish Purpose to Life by Warren Goldstein The Jerusalem Post
What is Life’s Purpose by Nissan Dovid Dubov Chabad.Org