Purpose: What will you leave behind when your time is up?

I was conscious this topic might sound a bit morbid, but actually I think you will find it very positive as well as important. So please read on.

From the minute we are born, life seems to be all about preparing for life rather than actually living it. You go to play-school to prepare for school, then you go to school to prepare for university in order to get a job, buy a property, get married, start a family, put them though school, university…

Before you know it, you are starting to think about retirement and taking time out, which is when people start finally wondering about their legacy.

Just to clarify, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with the above, but have you ever taken time out of your busy schedule to really think about which direction your life is going, and wonder about what it is you will leave behind when you are gone.

To put it another way, are you following your dream or are you just drifting along. Have you really thought about what your purpose in life is?

Let’s look at an example to illustrate this further. One day when David Attenborough passes away, do you think he will be missed? Will he leave a hole in people’s lives? Of course he will, because he has given masses amount of enjoyment and value to millions of people around the world.

I’m sure there are many things David could have done with his life, but he chose to follow his dream and entertain people with his fascinating natural history documentaries.

Of course, when our time is up, we will be missed by our families, and a big part of your purpose might be to look after your family and friends, as you should, but you owe it to yourself to take a moment to pause and think about what you could do to add value to the world and to satisfy your own needs too.

Upon finishing this article, find a quiet spot and ponder what it is you really want out of life, and whether you are taking the step necessary to move towards those goals. If you are not, then make a list and start taking steps today.

Tags: finding a purpose, how to be positive, how to set goals