My “Why”

I read an article today on the importance of finding your “why.”

What’s your purpose? Why are you here?

This question has haunted me for the past few years—causing me to doubt my direction and different goals. Each time I thought I had found “my thing,” this question crawled back, causing my mind to shift yet again. With it, came a fear of making the wrong choice, a doubt and a change of heart.

It’s ironic, that as I did this I found myself completely enthralled by others passions (see last blog post). I constantly encouraged my friends and acquaintances to follow what they love. I constantly took the time and used what (sometimes little) expertise I had to help get them there.

It energized me to see someone speak of what they love, it energized me even more to watch them take the steps to get there. It thrilled me to help them turn their dreams into their goals.

“Because why not?” I always said. “You can do it, there’s no reason not to—opportunity is everywhere you just have to take steps—make sacrifices.”

But while I had complete confidence in others hopes and dreams, I found myself constantly searching for my own.

How will I make a difference? How does any of what I do matter?

As I watched these extraordinary people in my life realize their passions and life purposes, I continuously dreamt and agonized over finding mine (#worrierwarren).

So what was the problem?

Maybe, it was the obsession with the question itself.

What’s your purpose? Why are you here? What’s your “why?”

Maybe I was too busy searching for the answer.

Because when you take away all the expectations, the norms and all of the options in life—when you stop all of the searching, you are simply left with what you love, what it is you really want.

And I think I’ve finally realized that my “why” is what I’ve been doing all along.

It’s helping others find and follow theirs. It’s encouraging them to grab their passions and follow their dreams.

I have a long list of dreams and goals that will sometimes change (let’s talk tomorrow because I might want to be an engineer), but I have a feeling my “why” will always remain in tact.

So I’m going to follow my own passions, and while I do that, I’m going to use every ounce of knowledge I have to help others follow theirs. Even if that’s just a listening ear or a word of encouragement (even if it’s just a drink when you’ve had a long day).

If you’re searching for your why, for your purpose—then maybe, you need to stop obsessing over the question. And maybe, you need to realize what it is you already love, what it is you already live.