30 days of self love – purpose

Posted: September 21, 2010 at 9:19 am

Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you have something to offer this world? Do you believe you have something to give to your family, friends, job, etc? If you think you don’t then you are sadly mistaken. Every person in this world, including you, plays some part. No one else has the same set of strengths, interests, and goals as you. The things that make you unique have the power to affect others. Those other people affected by you can then go forth to work in other peoples’ lives. It’s a never ending cycle that works its way back around to you and once again continues.

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The actions you take carry more weight than you might think. We must acknowledge that our actions have an impact. We should remember that the things we pursue have worth. We need to pursue those things which give us a sense of purpose, because that is exactly why those passions are placed in our hearts – they have a purpose. When we live life intentionally, we can do great things. We cannot know the reach of our lives.

Originally, I thought a life of purpose came through having a lot of control, power, and influence. I thought only great figures, like Mother Theresa, could really live a life of purpose. I didn’t think people simply going about their days could really make an impact. Then, I began to take a closer look.

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When I was teaching, my life had purpose to act as a positive role-model to my students and encourage an interest in learning by showing them not all classrooms were lectures and notes. As a wife, my life has purpose to support my husband’s interests and goals, as well as to work together for us each to become who God created us to be. As a mother, my life has great purpose. I am one of the biggest influences in Makenzie’s and Braedon’s lives. Even simply as a human being, I have purpose to be kind to others.

I don’t have to do these amazing, widespread works to have purpose. My purpose comes in simply living and sharing love with others. I do believe there are still great things out there for me to do. I feel my life has purpose to spread positive messages to others and I admittedly get anxious to know exactly what path that will take. I have to say though, simply knowing that my life has purpose now and in the future makes life feel that much sweeter. I don’t feel like I wander around lost in my life, just going through the motions. I really do strive to make the best of each day because I know just how meaningful I am. You are too. Don’t forget it!

What ways do you have purpose?

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Check out the 30 DSLR posts the following bloggers shared.

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40 Comments to “30 days of self love – purpose”
  1. I love this post! Its so hard to identify a specific purpose… because I feel it changes as we grow and change. I know my purpose has change since M was born… but its kinda still the same. Know what I mean?

    • Tina says:

      Yep I can relate! We are still the same people even after becoming moms, but have a whole new level of dedication and purpose in that role as well. I hear ya on that!

  2. Jess says:

    Living with purpose – amen to that, Tina. It’s something I’ve been trying to find/seek/own in the past year, and that’s where a lot of my unhappiness in my current work environment has come from (in part, at least). I know I am meant for greater things and I know God is working in his own way to show me the path to take, but it’s just not clear to me yet. So – I’m trying to learn to find purpose, like you said, in living everyday with a purpose, doesn’t have to be large or crazy, it just has to be important and meaningful to me and those I love. My purpose everyday includes showing those around me that I love them and cherish them for who they are in my life, for what hole they fill. I know there are greater “purposes” in my life to come, but for now, these “little” purposes are just as important as the big ones.

    • Tina says:

      I really have to focus on taking each day as it comes. I get so excited about the future and want to know my path right NOW, but thats not feasible. And it also takes the joy out of the journey. I guess we have to go along for the ride and find ways to fully live life and recognize its beauty and our strength in it each day.

  3. Penny Lane says:

    I have been pondering this quite a bit this week. As my job gets more difficult due to budget cuts I wonder if this was my purpose or if it was part of the journey. I so often need definative answers and sometimes with God those answers don’t come in Vegas flashing lights on my Journey. So I think that all being said I am not sure what my purpose is. I have so many interests in my life all ones that can help others that I don’t know where to go. Oy, thinking of the hard things already and I am already a scrambled mess.

    Thanks for the delivery of another great Post on self- love!

  4. I think this may be my favoritre self-love post yet!

    So beautiful and you are right! Of all of the things that give us purpose “the greatest of these is love” (sound familiar?)

    I am reminded of the quote “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

    ~Missy

  5. i really hate my job. that’s not really a secret. but i do feel like God has me here for a purpose though, and even if that’s just to build really great friendships (which I’ve done) then that’s enough purpose for me! although it’d be nice if i could do that from home… 😉

  6. Oh man, moving to a new state with two degrees and a teaching certificate and ending up just being a “real housewife of Pittsburgh” certainly makes you wonder what your purpose is. I’ve struggled with not feeling purposeful for over a year now without a job but lately I have been realizing the BLESSING in being able to do whatever I want and to take care of my husband and to LOVE the heck out of him:) He is providing an amazing home for us and one day for our children and I look at this time of leisure as a gift and an opportunity to branch out and do all the things I’ve always wanted to do, including prepping for this bikini competition. With a 9-5 job, I wonder if I’d have the time or patience to dedicate myself like I have been….probably not 😉

    I realize right now my purpose is simply to love God and love others and especially to be the support and encouragement of my husband. And you know what, that is a pretty darn wonderful purpose if you ask me:)

  7. Remembering that I have a purpose – that I have something very unique to offer this world – is often what keeps me going when I get too caught up in the daily grind. And at the most basic level, I have purpose in praising and serving God. Everything else should stem from that, and I need to remember that in order to be sure that all of my other pursuits come from that motivation.

    Great post, Tina! 🙂

  8. This post really resonates with me today as I look for a new job. I’m really focusing on finding employment that nourishes me and fulfills my inner sense of purpose. I think that applying for jobs can be disheartening, and so this reminder that we have unique gifts that we can offer the world is a good one for me today!

  9. Jamie says:

    Oh, this post is SO great! I love it! And so true too!!!!!
    Living the day-to-day “blahs”, it’s sometimes hard to remember that what we’re doing matters. Every little thing. Great post!

  10. I love this post probably because it is something I struggle with. I don’t feel like my job is all that meaningful so I don’t feel that I have a major purpose or impact most day.

    • Tina says:

      You do have purpose!! You share great recipes and workout tips to people being inspired by you for healthy living every day. And that’s just what I can see and only a small part of who you are. You have much purpose!

  11. I know we all have a purpose, for me it is to live each day for God — he has done so much for me that I should AT LEAST devote my life to him, right? 🙂

    My job may not be the most meaningful thing ever, but I know that my coworkers and the customers appreciate my work, which means I am “needed”! And I know my husband would never get through a few days without me — who would do the laundry? 🙂 I’m kidding, but seriously, I know I help/support him as much as he does for me. My purpose is to help him live his best possible life!

  12. Hey great post Tina!

    I can totally relate to all 3 of your purposes. Now that I have kids and don’t teach anymore, my main purpose is to give my children all the love and attention they need in these young growing and needy years. Plus, teach them (this sounds corny) to be as unselfish as they’ve taught me. As a daughter, my purpose is to try to keep my parents happy and return all the love and attention they gave me when I was growing up. As a wife, my purpose is to be my hubby’s rock and vest friend whenever he needs. Thank you for sharingyour purpose with me and allowing me to share my purpose with you.

  13. I love how positive you are, Tina, and how much faith you hold. It’s very encouraging. It’s so easy to get lost and frustrated wondering what our purpose is!

  14. Stacy says:

    I have a purpose as a Social Worker to provide for my patients. To ensure their safety, that they are being connected to the resources that they might need, and their advocate in times of need. I have a purpose as a friend, to act as a should to cry on and support them. I have a purpose to myself, to strive for what makes me happy. To surround myself with positive people and work towards my goals.
    Tina, I hope today is a better day for you! 🙂

    • Tina says:

      I like how you bring up having a purpose for yourself too. What a great thing to think. We all do have a purpose to live our best lives…and that helps us fulfill all the other meaningful things we do too.

  15. I’m working on my career purpose (in school) but I try to stay positive in my classes for those around me. I also serve a purpose to the kids I babysit. I not only pick them up form school but am generally interested in their lives. I get them outside whenever I can and I also get to move myself.

  16. Melodie says:

    This is a great post. I love what you said in one of your replies… “Our jobs do not define our purpose, our love does” That might have just changed my life! I have never thought of my purpose in that way…. which is crazy since I am a Christian. I cannot tell you how much that one sentence has made me think today! I need to write it down in my prayer journal so that I can read it every day and be reminded that I am not worthless or purposeless in any way.

  17. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jolene @TBDetermined and Tina Reale, Tina Reale. Tina Reale said: 30 days of self love – purpose: Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you have something to offer this w… http://bit.ly/bfb9CQ […]

  18. homecookedem says:

    As a teacher I have purpose. I create a loving and welcoming place for my kids to learn. I pray for all of us everyday that we work together to have a great day. As a wife I have purpose to love and support my husband. As a mom (wow, that’s so fun to say!) I have purpose to create a happy and loving home for my baby to live in.

  19. Purpose. That has always been my elusive quest. I have always felt an emptiness (and need) that I thought could only be filled once I discovered – and pursued – my purpose. But, like you, I often thought it must be grand acts of charity, or perhaps creative works of art that would change the masses, kind of like people who claim to be reincarnated always seem to miraculously had been someone famous or important in the past, never just an ordinary person.

    I just finished reading the book, Outlive Your Life, by Max Lucado, and he speaks of the ordinary person being just the sort God likes to use. And as Max says (Max Lucado, not Max my dog), God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

    So, until I know what path I SHOULD travel, I am going to try to travel the path I am on with courtesy, compassion, charity, and love. Though I’ll probably still stress about what I should be doing with my life…Being nice just doesn’t feel like it’s ENOUGH. Can’t I change the world too?

  20. Crystal says:

    I feel like we often forget that every action and decision we make somehow effects someone else as well as ourselves, even if just indirectly. I feel like I don’t have one specific purpose other than to just be there for those around me that I care about and to take responsiblity for myself. This is kind of a difficult topic for me just because I feel like I don’t do anything meaningful. I just forget that even the smallest things I do are important and I should act that way.

  21. Ela says:

    Whew – it got really late here!

    I wrote my post, though – and am going to bed soon.
    http://ulteriorharmony.blogspot.com/2010/09/reflections-on-self-love-purpose-two.html

    love
    Ela

  22. Kristy says:

    Why did I sign my life away to enroll in culinary school? –> To “pursue those things which give us a sense of purpose”

  23. […] Posted on September 22, 2010 by tarynehanson Yesterday’s topic for 30 Days of Self Love discussed purpose and living intentionally. While I think that we […]

  24. Your article was fantastic. Living a life on purpose is what we were created for. Each of us has a purpose on this earth. We may not know our exact calling but God does and all we have to do is ask Him. We were all uniquely created . Here is a verse from Psalm 139 that I would like to share with you.

    You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
    Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
    You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
    You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
    Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed

  25. I love this post! As someone who is 22, recently graduated from college (two years ago but whatever), and facing a tough economy and a lack of passion, I often feel lost.

    When teaching, I felt my purpose was to be a role model to my students and to show them that hard work can overcome even the most unfortunate of circumstances.

    My general life purpose is definitely to make human connections. I like to help and love others, and have every confidence that is what I was made to do. Just have to figure out the right medium!

  26. […] Even more beautiful than all of that, however, is what makes up who we are. None of us are perfect, but all of us are wonderful. We each have our own strengths which can help uplift others. We each have our own passions, which can make life more exciting. We each have something to offer the world. […]

  27. […] me). And, as I haven’t actually succeeded in answering that question today’s theme, Purpose, comes at a perfect time. Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you have something to […]

  28. Deborah says:

    Do I believe in myself? Do I have something to offer this world?

    *Gulp*

    In the post I talk about us being defined by ‘who’ we are and ‘what’ we do. My life is shaped too much around my work at the moment and I’d like to change this. I don’t want to take my foot off the work pedal, but need to fill my life with other passions and let them shape my existence a bit more. Writing (including my blog posts) is one thing I’d like to do more of.

    So, yet another thing I need to work on…. filling my life with more passions and finding more purpose!

    http://dietschmiet.wordpress.com/2011/07/17/30-days-day-21-purpose/

    Deb

  29. I feel like I am still at the stage of my life where I am struggling to find my purpose. Somewhere in my head I still have that vision of needing power and money to have purpose and I feel like what I am doing does not have purpose unless I can clearly define it. I feel like I am living my life waiting for my “purpose” to present itself but really I need to find the purpose in my day to day life and make the best with it. This post really helped me today and opened my eyes a bit more (especially considering I am reading this after my bedtime…) and hopefully I can keep this in mind in the coming days and weeks. Thanks!

  30. […] reflection on self-love is about a sense of purpose – recognizing our own uniqueness and connecting with our role in […]

  31. Xandria says:

    I am here to love others fully and not to judge. I am here to be a friend to those who need and will accept me as one.
    I am also here to spread my love and appreciation for music all over the world. I feel like I’m meant to travel with music.

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  33. purpose says:

    […] me). And, as I haven’t actually succeeded in answering that question today’s theme, Purpose, comes at a perfect […]

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