Are you struggling to find your purpose?
Have you tried soul searching?
If you are one of those people that have known since childhood exactly what you wanted to do in life and actually followed through on that, congratulations!
If that is not you, join the masses with the rest of us. You are not alone.
Desiring to know your life purpose or destiny is a pursuit that most of us are passionate about.
Finding answers and direction, however, can involve much soul searching.
WHAT EXACTLY IS SOUL SEARCHING?
Soul searching is simply an intentional evaluation of your deepest beliefs, thoughts, and feelings. It also requires much reflection and a process of discovery that will help you uncover your deepest feelings and motives.
The goal of soul searching is to have a better understanding of what God’s plan is for your life as you continue to pursue Him.
THE GOAL OF SOUL SEARCHING
Some of us start the journey of soul searching because of a life circumstance, positive or negative. It is a journey that can bring much clarity for your future.
Doing the hard work of finding your beliefs, values, passions, and life purpose can be very rewarding.
The art of soul searching will help you define a strategy. It will allow you to make decisions and execute your plans that help you stay focused.
Ultimately, it will line up with who you really are, what you stand for, and what you believe.
The Benefits of Soul Searching:
- Learn why you feel certain things, including underlying negative emotions
- Understand how you have made decisions that got you to where you are today
- Decipher what things you truly feel passionate about, versus just those on a to do list
- Uncover your beliefs and values and help determine if you are living your life in the way that aligns with them
- Help you make decisions about how you want to move forward
- Taking the time to search within you for things you may feel that you never thought about.
SOUL SEARCHING HOW TO
There are many ways to soul search. What is most important is to find space to clear your mind and be honest with yourself about all…the…things.
How what you feel, want, need, love, dislike, etc. The key is to eliminate the thoughts that are taking up space in your mind. This often is what is preventing you from hearing.
A few ways to move past this are:
- My first and best method – Spend time in prayer and meditating on scripture, or whatever allows you to connect with God and quiet your mind for a bit.
- Take some time off – This could be simply an afternoon of silence, a retreat, or a time in nature to think through things.
- Journal – Try simply writing without a goal for a couple of pages to see what makes its way out onto paper. I call this a “brain dump”. Getting your thoughts down on paper can help you learn what you are holding in your thoughts.
- Talk to a counselor or trusted friend – Like journaling, getting your thoughts out to another person can help you to uncover answers.
- Spend time on a passion – If you have a hobby or exercise that puts you in a clear state of mind, this can be a good place to think.
- Create space for silence – Take some time away to create space in a quiet place where you can sit and think uninterrupted
IS FINDING YOUR PURPOSE IMPORTANT?
Finding your purpose is about knowing who you are. It is about what you believe. It is about what you consider when it comes time to making decisions.
Every day, we make decisions about what to do and what not to do. By doing the work to define your purpose, you will be able to make spend your life in a way that is meaningful, purposeful, and lined up with the destiny God intended you to have.
So many people spend years pursuing the wrong things walking through life with the no plan or goal.
Taking time to do some soul searching will help you define how to live out your future days. Ultimately, to start planning life according to your purpose.
Ask yourself these questions about how you spend your time:
Do you surround yourself with people who allow your passions to come alive?
Do you read books and watch media that gets you closer to your goals?
Do you waste time on meaningless activities that could be replaced with purposeful ones?
How can you adjust your days, months to make a shift towards your purpose?
SOUL SEARCHING AND FINDING YOUR PURPOSE
Remember, finding your purpose, your values, your passions and the search for meaning in your life are some of life’s biggest tasks that can’t be solved overnight.
I do hope that you are encouraged and ready to start the process of soul searching, or perhaps have new insight on what it will take to get there.
Whether you feel a new sense of excitement, or you feel stuck, or even a little bit scared of taking this on, you are not alone.
Know that soul searching can be a lifelong process. Your first step in the right direction is progress and it can catapult you into a more fulfilled and peaceful life.
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