Finding Purpose Beyond Making Money

I post periodically on LinkedIn in an ongoing blog about “expectations of….” Recently, I started what I hope to be a dialogue about “finding your purpose” using some excellent resources from the comedian, Michael Jr. I’m fifty-five  years old and I have been practicing law for thirty years. I think I may have about twenty more years to give to the profession. What will I do when I’m 75? In twenty years, when I retire I will:

1. Become a motivational speaker (clearly I have something to say that others want to hear).

2. Be Harvey Levin.

3. Write a book about those damn Millenneals.

4. Record music (not play it, just record it).

5. Become a compliance manager or crime reporter.

6. Create a new way to communicate with the masses. I’ll it “Myface.”

7. Create a new herb and spice for fried pork rinds and call myself Colonel Flanders.

8. Become a movie critic, food critic or perhaps just a general critic.

9. Become a Fourth grade elementary school PE teacher (lots of dodge ball and kickball).

10. Become a tollbooth custodian and gripe at all the Millenneals who don’t have exact change.

Not all of these are bad ideas, but seriously, as much as I love my job, I still wonder if I’m doing all that I have been called to do.  Several years ago, the comedian, Michael Jr.,  was in town and he shared something that he said he doesn’t   share with every community. For some reason he felt compelled to share “Finding Your Purpose.”  Probably, like everyone else who hears about this from Michael, Jr., I assumed his unction was for me alone.  I have saved that document for over five years. Occasionally, I look back at it. Maybe it is for me (in twenty years). Maybe it’s for the person who is reading this blog post now.

Since what he shared was  not copyrighted and because I’m attributing it to Michael Jr. I will assume that I can share some of his thoughts. For more information about the comedian, see www.michaeljr.com.

The following are selected  from “Finding Your Purpose”:

1.    “Your purpose is not something you create, it was already created for you. I call this the ‘promise.’ Our job is to uncover our unique talents, skills, and abilities (i.e., our gifts) and use them to serve others for the purpose of our creator. Therefore, our purpose is the same, the only difference is the vehicle in which we choose to pursue it.”

2.   Eliminate all distractions (no phone, television, music, etc.). Find a quiet place.

3.   Imagine you just woke up from a coma, and you don’t remember your friends, enemies, family, society norms and/or expectations (you only remember what you’re good at and what you love to do).

4.   Pretend you only have one year to live (in perfect health), and your bills and other financial responsibilities are of no concern to you.

5.   Pray to God that He will reveal your purpose through these questions.

6.  Suspend all judgment as you answer each question (answer with your heart, not with your head).

7.   Be totally honest with yourself as you answer each question. Set aside some time (however long it takes) to write down your responses (don’t erase).

He then shared:

1.  Ten investigative questions.
2.  Five commitment questions.
3.  Twelve passion questions.
4.  Five integrity questions.

Let’s end this blog post with the first question:

“If you had the time, what would you most want to study, practice, master, or research deeply? What would you want to be an expert in?”

I look forward to reading your thoughts. I hope you find this challenging and stimulating.  In the meantime, if there is anything we can do for you in North Louisiana or Northeast Texas, don’t hesitate to call day or night.