Mission Possible, Part Two

To say life is hard is like saying the ocean is a little damp, the universe is big, or eternity’s a bit lengthy. There’s no doubt that suffering is intrinsic to and inseparable from being a human being on earth. We can’t escape it. Even people with seemingly the best circumstances experience pain and suffering.

“Thy fate is the common fate of all / Into each life some rain must fall” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

No life will ever be free from hardship, but the key to mitigating our suffering lies in our ability to infuse it with meaning.

"Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose." — Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl, a renowned psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, famously posited that when we find a purpose in our suffering, we transform it from a crushing weight into a powerful catalyst for growth. By embracing a sense of mission, we can turn our struggles into stepping stones, using them to forge a path toward a life that resonates with meaning and fulfillment. In this way, the very hardships that once seemed to be the boot on our throat, pulverizing us into the ground, become the driving force behind our most profound achievements and personal evolution. This is what I see as “turning poison into medicine” that fuels our own human revolution.

"The purpose of life is to matter - to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all." — Leo Buscaglia

Finding our mission is not merely a personal endeavor with individual benefits, though those are significant. Scientific evidence supports the notion that living with purpose can enhance our psychological well-being, reduce stress, and even improve our physical health. Studies have shown that individuals with a clear sense of purpose experience greater life satisfaction, lower levels of depression and anxiety, and better overall health. They tend to live longer, cope with adversity more effectively, and enjoy a greater sense of fulfillment. But the impact of finding our mission extends far beyond personal well-being. When we align our lives with a deeper purpose, we contribute to the betterment of all humanity. Our actions, driven by a sense of mission, can inspire and uplift others, creating ripples of positive change in our families, communities and the world. This collective transformation, where individual human revolutions converge, has the power to address societal challenges, foster compassion and empathy, and build a more just and harmonious world. By finding and living our purpose, we not only enhance our own lives but also participate in the grand tapestry of human progress, turning our shared struggles into a force for universal good.

How one goes about finding their individual purpose is far less universal. I think it’s also important to point out this journey is not about finding a singular, unchanging mission, but embracing the evolving nature of your aspirations, passions, gifts and intuition. We are constantly being reinvented through our experiences and growth, it makes sense that sometimes what we’re being called to do will change as well.

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In the quest to find our mission in life, we often turn to the wisdom of those who have walked the path before us. Below is just some of what I’ve gathered along the way from people who know better than I do, but my own experiences also tell me these are right on.

1. Find What You Love

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." — Howard Thurman

This one may or not be obvious, but whatever fills you up, whatever you are good at, is probably going to have something to do with why you’re here. Each person comes equipped with at least some of the tools they will require for their mission. Sometimes we can intellectualize what we think we should be focused on, “I want to solve world hunger.” Man, that’s awesome. What are some of the tools you already possess that you can use for that? It’s almost like being plunked down in the middle of a video game and having to figure out what your character is based on what you’re dressed like. “Ok, I have a beard, a staff and a satchel of elixirs. I must be a wizard.”

Well now I’m jealous. I kinda want to be a wizard.

Not sure yet what makes your heart sing? Listen to your intuition. The 13th-century poet Rumi suggests, "Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray." Trusting our instincts can lead us to our true calling.

2. Face Your Fears

"Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear." — George Addair

This is a big one. Fear is, hands down, our biggest obstacle when it comes to being human. And some of the things we find holding us back can, unbeknownst to us, actually lead back to fear. Take “laziness” for example. As a person who suffers from Analysis Paralysis my mind was blown when, through studying the subconscious, I learned indolence is caused by the fear of succeeding. So fear can be the silent killer. But we can also use it to gauge exactly what we’re here to challenge, and through this discovery, also reveal our purpose.

I’ll give you a personal example. Part of what I feel is my mission is publicly putting myself out there and standing up for what I believe. But before I did all of this, I was secretly terrified of being rejected, abandoned and not “liked.” There were many days I spent literally in the fetal position as people turned against me in droves because they didn’t agree with what I was saying and I dared to say it. It was an ego death, and it was incredibly painful. I must’ve REALLY needed this lesson, because I’ve now been through this same scenario multiple times. As soon as I get comfortable again, life kicks the crutch out from under me and says, “No. You’re going to do it alone.” It’s incredibly painful and hard, but I can also look back and see the strength I’ve acquired. I can also now recognize my tendency to need people too much and rely too much on the external world rather than myself.

It’s a leap of faith to reject our baser instincts that tell us they’re there to protect us and choose to bravely step foot into the unknown. Our inclination for self preservation is typically many times stronger than even our desire to succeed. But as Toni Morrison so succinctly put it, “You wanna fly, you got to give up the thing that weighs you down.”

3. Make Your Mission Bigger Than Yourself

   "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love this one. And the message is simple, but profound: contribute beyond yourself. My only beef with Mr. Emerson here is that I believe to live a life that is useful, honorable and compassionate literally is happiness. It is true, unshakable happiness that comes from within. I believe the “happy” he’s talking about here is the fleeting joy we feel from time to time that’s completely dependent upon our external circumstances, which I agree is far from good enough.

The result of every pity party I’ve thrown myself caused by the heartache of life not going my way is a humbling of my ego and realizing it’s not actually about me. Living for only yourself is honestly miserable. The smaller your scope, the less capacity for life to have great meaning. And it’s only when you switch your perspective to something greater than yourself can you even begin to find courage and joy.

4. Turn Your Purpose Into Your Livelihood

   "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." — Steve Jobs

It would be wonderful if everyone could integrate this into their lives. We all need to make a living; that’s the reality of our world. It’s even better if you can align your mission with your financial support. However, I’d like to caution you on a couple of points. Firstly, protect yourself and maintain a business-like approach, even if you’re driven by love and altruism. I’ve seen mission-driven individuals turn their passions into income, and they often operate at first from a state of love and trust (great Pearl Jam song, btw). They feel aligned with their partners and fail to safeguard themselves. Sadly, even good people can be ensnared by greed and ego. At the start, the focus is solely on the mission with nothing to lose. But as money, recognition, or influence come into play, priorities can shift. In our world of perceived scarcity, it’s easy for people to move from mission-focused to protection-focused, or the world of animality. It reminds me of my dog, Archie. He’s a sweetheart most of the time. You can pick him up, put him on his back, touch his ears, his tail, his nose, whatever. But give him a bone or a toy, and suddenly he’s a real dick. You can’t even sit on the couch 2 feet from him or he’ll start to growl.

My second piece of advice is to maintain integrity throughout your journey. This is, of course, crucial in all things, but especially when pursuing your mission. The universe has a way of ensuring that nothing unethical goes unnoticed. Stay honest and never justify doing something wrong, even slightly. From what I’ve observed, those who compromise their integrity for their mission often end up losing everything.

Certainly, it would be wonderful if we could all thrive financially by pursuing our life’s purpose, but that’s not always possible. Many people will have jobs that seem unrelated to their mission. However, it is possible to carry your mission into any job. Every legal and moral occupation is honorable and deserves respect. Unless you’re a crook, you should take pride in your work and find a way to incorporate even a small part of your mission. You can bring purpose and meaning into any role.

5. Prepare For Obstacles

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." — Henry Ford

In the journey to find your mission or purpose, obstacles are not just inevitable but essential. These challenges serve as crucial stepping stones that shape and refine your path, testing your resolve and commitment. Instead of begrudging these difficulties, embrace them as opportunities for growth and learning. You’re not being punished, you’re being forged in fire. That’s freakin bad ass. Each hurdle you encounter is a lesson in resilience, a chance to develop new skills, and an experience that deepens your understanding of your purpose. As Randy Pausch said, “Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

The important thing is that we never, ever give up, and never stop advancing. Everything is always in a constant state of flux, and the notion that anything is staying the same is just an illusion. It may seem harsh, but that means that at all times, you are either progressing or losing ground.

So never retreat a single step.

This has become my mantra that I write almost every day in my journal. The old me loved to quit when things got too hard or obstacle-y. I know it’s an urge we all have to fight. As Will Rogers once put it, "The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces."

Remember, the greater the hardships, opposition or troubles that arise along your odyssey, the more significant the mission you’re here to accomplish. So embrace the suck. And be proud that you came here to do big things. 🩷