HOW TO LIVE WITH DIRECTION AND MEANING
Dirk DevosYour purpose is the compass at the center of your life. It is the energy that never runs dry, the quiet force that gives meaning to your daily actions as well as to your bigger journey. Purpose is not about perfection, but about alignment. It is about choosing a direction that feels true to your heart and consistent with your values. Sometimes, purpose is born out of love, joy, and passion. At other times, it emerges from pain and struggle, transforming wounds into wisdom and strength. In that sense, purpose is also healing—it allows you to turn the challenges of the past into resilience, growth, and service to others.
When kindness connects with purpose, something powerful happens. Purpose stops being self-serving and becomes life-giving. It turns into a bridge between your deepest self and the people around you, allowing your unique gifts to not only help you thrive, but also to support others in flourishing.
As Viktor Frankl once said: “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”
REFLECTING ON YOUR PURPOSE
Living with purpose begins by asking yourself the questions that matter most. What gives your life meaning and makes you want to get out of bed each morning? What would happen if you followed your heart fully, without hesitation or fear? What is the best of yourself that you can offer to others? Purpose often grows from the places where pain meets passion, where what breaks your heart also inspires you to create something better.
You can also reflect on your level of alignment with your purpose today. Imagine scoring yourself on a scale of one to ten. Where would you place yourself? And what small shift would allow you to move closer to a ten? By noticing recent moments when you felt out of alignment, you gain insight into the changes you need to make. Perhaps it is about letting go of old patterns, strengthening your values in daily life, or simply showing yourself more kindness.
Self-reflection is key. You might begin with prompts such as: My purpose feels most alive when I… or The challenges I have faced have shaped my purpose by…. These reflections can deepen your awareness and bring clarity to how you express your purpose through kindness and action.
DEEPENING YOUR PURPOSE IN DAILY LIFE
Purpose is not discovered once and for all—it is refined through action. Reflecting on moments when you felt most alive can help you see which values and strengths were active in those times. Asking yourself “why” again and again uncovers the deeper motivations beneath your choices. Writing a short purpose statement can give you a sense of direction, a sentence or two that captures what you stand for and what you bring to others.
Listening to both your pain and your passion is also essential. What lights you up and what breaks your heart often point toward your compass. Purpose becomes real when it is tested in everyday action. Start small, choose intentional steps, and observe how aligned you feel as you go. Along the way, seeking feedback from trusted people can confirm your strengths and show you the impact you have on others. And through it all, let kindness guide you—not the search for recognition, but the difference you can make in the lives around you.
As Mark Twain once said: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
START YOUR JOURNEY TO PURPOSE
Your purpose is your compass. It gives meaning to your life, anchors your choices, and provides direction when the path feels uncertain. By reflecting on your past, listening to both pain and passion, and grounding yourself in kindness, you can create a life of alignment, resilience, and growth.
Are you ready to discover your compass, embrace your purpose, and live with clarity and intention?
and take the first step toward a life guided by meaning and strength.