Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life

Before I had a spiritual awakening I was an atheist. I lived as an atheist and focused on the material world for 18 years. By the end of that I was hopeless and depressed. I had pretty much given up the will to live. As I continued to exist, I just went about my work and life like an automaton. Going through the motions just to continue to exist. Even that was in jeopardy at times. My mental and emotional state was almost always turmoil.

Opening up my heart and mind, I found deities met me half way, introduced themselves and have engaged me in a reciprocal relationship since that time. They quickly brought healing to me in so many ways. They encouraged me, taught me to stand in personal sovereignty, taught me techniques to help foster resilience, and change my energy. They showed me how to become a positive force instead of wallowing in negativity and misery. Not to say I no longer have challenges and everything is perfect but they gave me the tools to overcome life's difficulties, and have provided me with a mental and emotional state that no longer just crumbles under the pressure. They have also provided me with a sense of purpose.

When I dedicated myself to Manannan Mac Lir I asked him “What does that mean to dedicate to you? What does that mean to be your priest?” His response was that it was really simple, I do his work in this world, represent him, and serve others in community. I was immediately filled with a sense of purpose. Since that time it seems that filling this role has brought more clarity as to what doing his work means. So far I feel a mandate to help others connect to the Otherworld, the realm of spirit. I’m to help people more deeply connect with their own spirituality. I'm to help people with their mental and emotional state by helping them connect spiritually, I feel this is my purpose.

I am also very close with Brigid. She has healed me and guided me in many ways. She has given me purpose as a healer, inspiration as a bard, and is forging me into someone that can help and heal others. She has encouraged me to do her work as well and my career has recently shifted to human services, helping to care for the disenfranchised. This has also given me a sense of purpose.

 I have noticed how much of my life has been improved by having a sense of purpose. It’s grounded me, focused me, given me the will to carry on and overcome. It’s increased my capacity to live and love. It’s given me a reason to go on and overcome. It’s filled me with hope.

Psychologist Viktor Frankl wrote a book called “Man’s Search For Meaning” and in it he discusses living a life of purpose. In fact he created a type of psychotherapy based on the concept of purpose, called Logotherapy. It was his own sense of purpose, writing about and introducing the world to Logotherapy, that got him through every horrible thing that happened to him in the Nazi concentration camps. He does go on to say that a sense of purpose is not necessarily like “your life’s purpose” as in some mystical mandate of fate. It is fluid and can change throughout life. Identifying your sense of purpose for now, in the moment, at the present, can give you strength to go on and to live a better life.

He says “Man’s search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life...This meaning is unique and specific in that it must and can be fulfilled by him alone; only then does it achieve a significance which will satisfy his own will to meaning...striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task...the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment...The more one forgets himself-by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love-the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself.”

I encourage you to take some time and reflect. Find your given purpose for this time in your life. Find your purpose in the moment, throughout your day. You may find that your life will improve, your mental and emotional health will improve and you can live and love to the best of your ability. You may even actualize. That is what I hope for you!