This post originally appeared here in Change Your Mind, Change Your Life.

Quit Fretting Over Your Life Purpose, You're Missing Out Living In The Moment

Have you ever wonder what you’re going to do for the rest of your life? I mean, you may have a decent job while working on a side hustle, or perhaps you’re already on your way to pursuing your dreams.

The question is, would this thing you are pursuing right now be ‘it’?

There so much talk about the need to find our purpose. We want to find meaning for our existence, why we’re here, and what are our contributions. It goes without saying that our purpose is that which is in alignment with our heart, about what we value and who we are.

But what if the things you want now do not work for the ‘you’ in the future? What if the choices you make today are not what you want some years down the road?

The spiritual leader and Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Life is available only in the present moment.” He is right.

You live now, in the present moment. You can of course travel back to the past, but that is only a moment that is happening inside your head. You can plan for the future, but you can’t be certain of it, because even you do not know what the future holds for you.

Having to decide today and believe that your decisions will have an impact on you for the rest of your life is a heavy burden to bear. What if things change tomorrow? What if your life takes a turn? What if the things you’re doing today no longer interest you tomorrow?

Today is a tomorrow that we thought about yesterday. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Take care of today because if you take care of today, tomorrow will take care of itself.

— RVM

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Since everything is fluid and nothing remains the same for long, then trying to hold on to any kind of fixed ideas about how things should turn out would be unrealistic. Sooner or later, the reality of change will prevail, anyway.

It doesn’t mean you should stop making plans. It doesn’t mean you start being a couch potato and let life pass you by. No, it just means that you have to stop worrying about the future, and just live today. Do what you need to do today.

The choices you make, the plans you have, and even the desires you bury in your heart are exactly for the person you are today. As time goes, things change. You may change. You may not be the same person five years down the road. Your choices may be different. You may suddenly decide that you don’t want to be doing that side hustle you are pursuing right now, for the rest of your life.

There is a saying that opportunity only comes once in a lifetime. I used to wonder, if it’s so scarce, what if I miss it? What if it’s not stark obvious and I pass that chance of a lifetime?

Opportunities present itself as you put one leg in front of the other, every single day. It’s about attending to the things that are important right now, doing the best you can, right now.

We must walk consciously only part of the way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark toward our success.

— Unknown

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Just like when you’re driving on a dark night without street lights, you’re only able to see part of the road in front of you. As you move forward, another part of the road will be revealed, and it continues until you arrive at your destination.

It’s the same with your life. You take the necessary steps to move forward, the steps you know, the ones that are obvious right now, and all of a sudden, something else shows up. And as you continue, your path will reveal something else.

Instead of freaking out about how your life should be or could be in the days ahead, focus on the present moment and follow your heart.

What is it that your heart is leading you to, right now? Go for it. Do that thing you love. Invest in that ‘possible’ future. What is your passion? Follow that path.

Just because you have committed yourself to a decision doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. As you improve, you grow. As you grow, your dreams get bigger. Your vision for the future increase. Your perception takes a turn for the better.

Original Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Trust what you love, continue to do it and it will take you where you need to go. — Natalie Goldberg

The next level of life requires the next level you. It will push you to raise the standards you’re pursuing. The level you are on now will never work if you continue to keep growing.

Don’t get all caught up in the web of anxiety. It’s okay not to know everything. It’s okay not to have all the answers now. In fact, it’s not possible to know completely. The unknown is exciting. The unknown is challenging. Be prepared but don’t let fear run your life.

We’ve always assumed there is only one consistent life path. It’s usually what you saw from the outside, your regular circle, how the people around you live.

As your circle expands, you will encounter people and places that will stretch and grow you in unique ways. Often, many things make little sense, until you turn back and look. The lessons you learned were necessary for your growth and it prepared you for what’s coming. Be proud of how you turned out today and know that it’s not over.

Everyone has their own timeline. What worked for others may not work for you. In other words, walk your own path and let life surprise you.

The best way is to go ahead and simply start. There is no better time than now. Trust yourself and the path you’re on. Remember, it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone, sometimes not even you. And perhaps it won’t.

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