Purpose.
What is purpose? It is viewed differently by everyone. I am still trying to find out what mine is. It has taken me into my mid-thirties to realize my life is not going to go the way I planned. My teenage self would have told you my purpose was to grow a family resulting from being lost in love. That I would have kids following me around and a living in a big ol' farm house that I've been able to renovate from bones to beauty. I'd have lots of rescue animals, laundry on drying on the line and cookies in the oven. I know, kind of old school idealism but most would describe me as such; an old soul.
If I could talk to my younger self I'd say "Hey, stop making plans - life is going to go where it's supposed to and it ain't going in that direction." I watch people in my life breath the purpose I thought I would have and find myself thinking "what the hell is going on here? Am I invisible?" Maybe I am, I don't know. What I do know is that my purpose has changed dramatically over the years and I am learning, slowly, that I can be purposeful in many ways. Through home design, writing and photography I find myself being able to live out loud. These are the areas I dive into to express myself and in which I have been able to find a greater purpose.
I am grateful that I am able to continually give back to my community, support the people in my life and create beauty - I have a purpose. It is not what I had planned for myself, nor will it always be like this but right now, this is what I have. I leave you with a quote that hangs near my back door in my house as a reminder that life is bigger than me. As I wind through my day touching the lives of others I need to be patient with them, myself and to be mindful of any additions I add to my life. As I piece together my puzzle I know my purposeful masterpiece has yet to be revealed:
"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Emerson