Last summer I made a decision that I should have made 20 years ago. When I think of the number of times in the past 20 years I’ve searched, I’ve tried, and I’ve given up, it’s hard not to become discouraged. For more than 20 years, I cheated myself into believing that I was walking and living in my passion and purpose for life when I knew it wasn’t true. My saving grace is that despite the detour, I am now here and happy. When I look at the benefit of finally making the right decision for my life – a decision that’s based on passion and gifts – I’m able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Even though I have 20 years of not walking in my true purpose, I’ve learned things along the way that make me appreciate the current walk more.
My story is relatively simple. I have always had a love for the news and writing. At the age of 13, CNN was my favorite television channel. In 7th grade when I had to interview a person in my chosen career, I chose a radio news personality from a local Chicago station.
I knew I wanted to write and work in media. In high school I was on the newspaper and yearbook staffs. In college, I was the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and I worked part-time as a reporter for the local newspaper. My first job out of college was as a reporter for a national news organization.
And then something shifted. As most 20-somethings do, I started exploring other careers and doing other things. In every job I had though, I was known as the writer. Colleagues, friends, and family members would always ask for my help and advice when writing because it seemed to come so natural to me.
While I truly loved my career in education, I realized that my job brought me the greatest satisfaction when I was writing, or performing tasks that involved the marketing and public relations department. It wasn’t until a heath scare forced me to take some time off of work and evaluate everything I was doing, including my job. After the medical leave concluded, I did the scariest thing I’ve ever done and quit my job in order to become a full-time writer.
It’s been 9 months since I made that decision, and my life has changed a lot. In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing the nuggets of wisdom I’ve learned that can help anyone of any age who may not quite be walking in their purpose. At least, not yet. This series even comes with a workbook that can help you through this process too.
Remember, this is the first step in the process. All 25 tips are listed here, but we will go more in depth in the coming weeks. Today I’m sharing the tips and their corresponding subheadings of discovery, acceptance, living, and thriving. I’ve found that walking in my purpose requires all of these subheadings (and possibly more that you see on your own journey.)
Discover
- Be vulnerable to the process.
- If you will do it for free, and talk about it for 100 hours straight, that is your purpose.
- Use the mind body spirit connection to manifest what you want.
- Use the worst thing that has happened to you to guide you into your purpose.
Accept
- The therapeutic nature of your purpose alone will make you stronger.
- Remember where you came from and who helped you along the way.
- Once you figure it out and accept it, even if your good, invest in the professional development and education to make yourself better.
- Forgive those who didn’t support you – if they knew better they would do better.
Live
- Make your nemesis your biggest strength.
- Life will have detours, never get off the bus.
- Don’t frown on free.
- Your purpose will not defy the rule of God, the laws of the universe, or compromise your personal integrity.
- Smile at people.
- Don’t numb the pain.
- Thrive in your best time of day.
- In breakups, they can’t go where you’re going.
- Accept the diversity that will come your way.
Thrive
- Speak the language in everyday life.
- Know what you need.
- Prepare your adversary arsenal.
- Go gangster. Find your tribe, love them well.
- If no one will hire you, hire yourself.
- Listen to your physical body.
- Set your intentions for each day with the universe.
Without reading much more on the topic, I’m curious. Are you currently walking in your purpose?
Hey Twilli 
No
…not yet!
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Reblogged this on A Yogi Kitchen and commented:
My seriously talented, graceful and wise friend, Toni Williams.
This is such a wonderful post. I loved reading about how you had your career shift, and I am so sorry about your health scare! I had something similar happen, it led me to write as well 🙂 Your tips are lovely, especially, “if no one will hire you, hire yourself” – wonderful!
It is amazing that when life throws something at us, sometimes it ends up sending us on a completely different path. I always say that everything happens for a reason.
I think this could be me. I love children, served children in a public school, and now working with pre service teachers. I love my college teaching but I am not doing that full time as I am unable to secure employment in the field. So I am doing other things now to live. I will be in full pursuit, now, after reading your post!
I love this! I have been working on finding myself for a while now. I think that over the past couple years I have really narrowed down who I am – not just a mom, even though I love that part of me.
Fantastic post and tips! You are incredibly brave.
I think I sometimes take a detour, but I definitely try to get back on the right track.
So sorry to hear about your health scare I hope you are ok. It is important we all find our purpose in life and mine is to share my story with the world.
Kudos to you. I too was forced to quit work for medical reasons and have taken to writing. My book, The Paladins of Naretia, is out now. I’ve just finished a second one and will be writing my third soon.
Sounds like you had a really big catalyst for making change. I feel like I’ve lived my entire life not really knowing my purpose. I know one, and that’s as a mom, but outside of that, I’m not sure. Looking forward to what you’ll be sharing!
This post came at a perfect time for me. I’m currently reevaluating some of my interpersonal relationships and I agree that you have to be vulnerable, to a certain extent, when undergoing change on this level.
“Go gangster. Find your tribe, love them well.” This brought a HUGE smile to my face. I actually call my very closest friends my tribe. Those who already have their own tribe totally get it. Your tribe is always there for you. They fight for you. They encourage you. Yet, they are also there to give you a big smack on the side of your head if you need it!
I can totally relate to your story! I didn’t decide to start a blog until I got hurt at work and couldn’t work for several months. I know exactly how you feel!
What a great story! I can’t wait to come back and read the rest of it! I have been feeling the same way-that I’m not doing what fits my passion in life. But sometimes you have to sacrifice for the ones you love 😦 ❤
It is so important to truly live your passion. Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m leaving this post inspired!
This was so insightful. I am trying my best to live a more fulfilled life. This was definitely inspiring!
I didn’t find my passion until my mid 20’s and honestly I think it’s just an evolution we go through. Even now I find my path changing. One guy I love listening to is Gary Vaynerchuk, he always says “be you” and “don’t give a crap about your weakness, focus on your strengths”
This is wonderful advice! My favorite statement is: Go gangster. Find your tribe, love them well.” I’ll admit that I haven’t found my tribe yet, but I’m hoping to someday soon. – HilLesha
Great post! Very inspiring as I am constantly battling what I want to do and what I feel like I have to do to make an income.
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