Going through some old CDs recently I stumbled across the debut album of Marina Lambrini Diamandis, better known as “Marina and the Diamonds.” The opening words of the opening track ask, “Are you satisfied with an average life?”
What is an “average life?” It has got to be one that is not special. But what makes any life special?
All lives have value and are important, but I think a life is special if it is lived with purpose. Some people are not aware of their purpose and live in a re-active rather than pro-active manner, going with the flow but lacking direction. They let whatever will happen to them happen. They can perhaps be described as ships without rudders.
If our lives do not have a purpose, then what is it all about? We can survive almost anything if we have a reason to live. If in doubt about what that reason is, we should sit in the quiet and ask the question: “What is the purpose of my life?”
The intention should not be to live our lives based on other people’s expectations. Our goals are for us to define and seek to achieve because we are ultimately answerable to ourselves. When the time comes to pass to the world of spirit, we will review how we have lived our earthly lives.
If we want help determining our purpose, we can ask Spirit. We will receive guidance either directly or indirectly, but we need to be on the lookout for it. If we trust in guidance from Spirit, we will be helped along the route which is right for us. We need to open up our hearts and accept the direction of Spirit.
Once we have established our purpose, we need to be steadfast and not let problems we encounter cause us to give up on it. The trials and tribulations we experience are all part of our spiritual growth. They are necessary to make us stronger. We just need to commit, truly commit, ourselves to our path.
At times we may find ourselves doubting what we are doing; but doubt is good because it encourages us to reflect on our choices. Our path, our purpose, can change and if doubt creeps into our minds it might be that we need to question some of our beliefs. We might need to alter our direction or our focus.
At times of doubt, it’s important that we listen to our intuition, that still small voice within us. We also need to be open to inspiration – from wherever it comes. It might reveal something completely new, something significant.
Sir Laurens van der Post wrote:
“There is nothing wrong with searching for happiness…. But of far more comfort to the soul is something greater than happiness or unhappiness, and that is meaning, because meaning transfigures all. Once what you are doing has for you meaning, it is irrelevant whether you’re happy or unhappy you are content – you are not alone in your Spirit – you belong.”
