In his Book of Awakening Mark Nepo touches on the topic of purpose by quoting Mechthild of Magdeburg, a medieval mystic, who once said: “A fish cannot drown in water. A bird does not fall in air. Each creature God made must live in its own true nature.” Nepo goes on to explain:
Part of the blessing and challenge of being human is that we must discover our own true God-given nature. This is not some noble, abstract quest but an inner necessity. For only by living in our own element can we thrive without anxiety. And since human beings are the only life form that can drown and still go to work, the only species that can fall from the sky and still fold laundry, it is imperative that we find that vital element that brings us alive… the true vitality that waits beneath all occupations for us to tap into, if we can discover what we love. If you feel energy and excitement and a sense that life is happening for the first time, you are probably near your God-given nature. Joy in what we do is not an added feature; it is a sign of deep health.
In this week’s vlog, I’m talking about Purpose Statements, why they’re important and how you can easily create one of your own.