Do you know your purpose in life?

Health experts and researchers say that knowing one’s purpose in life is a key factor in longevity.  It’s also vital if you’re fighting disease. In The Healing Code, coauthor Dr. Ben Johnson shared how his sense of calling and purpose helped him overcome ALS.

If you aren’t sure yet of your unique purpose in life, consider this exercise.

Ask yourself: When I am at my best, what am I doing? When I have felt the most satisfied with myself, what did I just do?

What you did–the action–is going to be a verb.  That verb often can describe your very essence.

Buckminster Fuller said, “God is a verb.” That is biblically accurate. When God revealed himself to Moses, he said he was the ultimate “be” verb: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

God’s verb is “I AM.”

Descartes is famous for saying, “I think, therefore I am.” His verb was “think.”

Your verb may come to you in a flash … or you may have to think about it for a while.  Here’s the key question:

What is the thread that runs through most of what you

do, that encompasses the essence not only of what you

do, but who you are?

Many people I’ve discussed this with know their verb quickly. But don’t feel bad if you do not know. Just keep pondering the above questions, until you begin to see it. Ask people who know you well: “What is it that you most value in me?” Often the Verb is something you do so naturally, you’re not even aware of what it is. You think everyone can just ____ (fill in the blank with what comes naturally to you), but they can’t.

My verb is “connect.” I love to connect people with ideas that will inspire them, enlighten them, change them.

I love to connect people with other people who will inspire, teach, encourage, motivate or enlightened them.

And I love to connect people with resources that will make their life easier and better in some way.

This is the thread that runs through everything I have done in my many-faceted career. When I was a book publishing coach and consultant, that’s what I was all about. And now as a healing coach, that is what people say they value most in me. In fact, I did these things in this very post–without even trying! Did you notice?

Your verb will characterize not only your career/work, but your relationships as well. As a parent, connect is what instinctively do. I also find myself trying to connect friends with ideas, people and resources that will make their lives better.

So that’s my verb. What’s yours?

Take a few moments to reflect on this.

It’s at the heart of what you have to offer the world, after all. It is your unique purpose for being on the planet, what you’ve been wired to contribute. And the best part is–your verb is what comes most naturally to you!

If you would like help identifying your verb, and removing any blocks to expressing it, contact Diane Eble to explore this vital source of health and happiness.