Several years ago, I found myself in a terrible funk. I was in living in Los Angeles and had recently left a dream job in the entertainment industry because I was burnt out after working 18 hours or more a day. Just one year into this dream job I wasn't having fun anymore because of the stress involved and I just couldn't figure out where was the balance between my life and my career. Not to mention that I hated being in L.A!! I felt like I was in a mid-twenties crisis. I was super hard on myself--Dream Job, Great City, I Should be Completely Happy--(I know you are thinking---what was wrong with me)??
When I quit my job--EVERYONE looked at me like I was just plain stupid for leaving a job where I got to hang out with so many celebrities on a regular basis. The problem was---this job was not my purpose and although it taught me a few lessons along the way, I had to take a moment to find out what my purpose really was. Well, I took some time off to discover what I wanted to do with my life and began to live off of my savings......not the greatest plan at the time.....because I ended up broke & I couldn't find a decent job once my savings ran out. Me + Broke + No Career + Not Knowing My Unique Purpose at that time meant Depression & Failure for me.
Long story short---I left L.A. & moved back home to the other LA---"Louisiana". Spent some time with my family to clear my head----and then moved to Chicago. A new start in a new city was what I needed!! Chicago was great and I could figure out my purpose in the Windy City!! Right??
WRONG! I only slipped further into a depression because I didn't know what I should be doing with my life----my career title was always the label and identity of who I was to those around me. So, I took another job that was just as draining, stressful and I started having migraines that sent me to the hospital over and over again!! I, once again, told no-one that I was completely depressed, because I felt like the job I had was not meaningful. Just get another job, right?? Its not always that easy--at least it was not for me.
Something had to give--I began to work through my issues with lots of prayer and decided that I could not go on living by the mantra of "WOE IS ME!!" One day I decided to stop thinking about myself and my career. I signed up to volunteer to mentor young girls!! It was a program that my sorority offered and it was in great need of volunteers. This was the turning point for me!! I know you may be thinking that there are worse problems in the world than not knowing what your purpose is. But, for me, that is truly one of the most important things that you can discover in your lifetime: Your Purpose in Life!! Purpose was something that I began to search for the minute I graduated college....(whew...a long time ago)!
Its been 2 years since I started volunteering and I am now one of the co-chairs of the program. Its a lot of work to attend 3 Saturdays a month--especially with my new son, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!
My son tags along with me on Saturdays. I want to teach him the importance of service at a young age. Since I started volunteering, I became a certified life coach, because I want to continue to work with teens and young women. Even though I still have a full-time job outside of coaching (one of which I love now), I know now that this is my true purpose in life. So, the moral of the story is that you truly never know what you will find out about yourself or your purpose in life while serving others!!
Lean a Hand, Volunteer, and You Might Discover Your Purpose Through Service Too!!
Volunteer Match
www.volunteermatch.org
National Cares Mentoring Movement
www.caresmentoring.com
Big Brothers Big Sisters
www.bbbs.org
YMCA
www.ymca.net
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I believe the same thing,we all need to find r purpose in life.My purpose right now is being a mommy100%.Trust me its harder than what anybody thinks sometimes.I feel I work 200% more than any regular 9-5 job.
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