Q: My 26-year-old son seems to be struggling with not feeling he has a purpose. He is working a seasonal job but has no idea what he wants to do with his life. Can you help?
A: I work with many clients your age who are uncertain of their purpose in life. They ask me how to find it. I let them know that we all have many purposes in life. Ask your son if he is a good friend to someone, if he has a passion, does he volunteer, does he spend time with the elderly, is he a good kind person, is he a good listener, and does he have a big heart? If he answers yes to any of the above, he has a purpose.
We often equate the purpose of having or doing something big. Having a purpose can come with small acts of kindness and sharing.
Small acts of compassion in action can have a huge meaning and purpose.
We all have a unique calling and for some, it is to do big things and for others, it’s being simple and doing small things. This is something your son may not realize. What’s important is that he does not compare himself to others, rather he feels good about his own gifts and strengths and uses them to his highest good. Perhaps you can have a conversation with him about these things and he will begin to realize his true gifts and begin to see his purpose.
True success and purpose are about living from the inside out.