Would You Like to Know How to Discover Your Life Purpose…In 5 Minutes or Less?

Now that I’m 51 years old, I can tell you that over the years I’ve read dozens of books about how to discover and live your life purpose. In fact, one book I read years ago was 364 pages long and had extensive exercises, charts, and visual aids to help the reader do this!

It always seemed like this “elusive” discovery that very few people ever could figure out.

Recently, we were at my parents house for Easter dinner which consisted of around 14 of us…my parents, brothers, their partners, my children, their partners, etc. I usually bring or make up some type of game for the family to play as we wait for dinner so this time I just brought my homemade magic wand, some yellow index cards and some pens.

I explained that we were going to play the “MAGIC WAND GAME“. It was very simple — everyone would write down a question and then ask someone in the group to answer it. It could be about anything they wanted. The person who was answering the question had to hold the magic wand and no one else but that person could be talking (it was really just a way to control my very loud Italian family so we could actually hear the person talking).

So the game began with some very interesting questions being posed:

Who was your first kiss with? How old were you? Was it enjoyable? Give Details?
What have you learned in your 30 years of life on earth?
What was your first car?
If you could hang out with anyone, dead or alive, who would that be?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What was your favorite job and why?
Do you have any regrets? If so, what?
And more…

Needless to say, we learned a lot about each other and we exchanged some really good laughs and stories!

One of the questions was asked to my father who is 78 years young and that question was: What was your favorite job and why?

Before I tell you his answer, let me give you a little back story about my pops (a.k.a., the greatest man that ever lived!)

My dad and mom have been married 55+ years! My dad worked his way up from a stock boy to a Regional Store Manager at Bonds Clothing, a men’s clothing store. Over the years he was transferred to different locations and received many promotions. My dad was NOT your typical “sales person”, my dad was just a nice guy who really liked people and truly enjoyed helping them. He never judges or criticizes people no matter what. He is also a chameleon and can fit in anywhere. He listens more than he speaks.

Growing up, we always had “different” people living with us. My parents would take in people who had no job, or no family or no where to go on the holidays. They usually came through our church. It was a very interesting childhood to say the least!

In 1993 my older brother Michael died of AIDS at my parents home in Maryland and it was a very sad time for our family. I never remember seeing my father sad or depressed ever in my 30 years of life until that moment. My dad subsequently quit his job in men’s retail (after almost 30 years in the business) and became very depressed. He did a few things to bring in money, but he was really just trying to “catch his breath”.

Sometimes we need a intermission from life to discover our mission.

One day, I saw an ad in the paper for a “water meter reader” and I have no idea why…but I cut out that ad and gave it to my father and suggested that he apply for the job. My father did apply for that job…and at 58 years old, he started his second career as a water meter reader. My father still works full time as a water meter reader, is in the best shape of his life, walks 5 miles a day, eats healthy, is down to his marine corps weight and looks for ways to help people every day of his life.

If you ask my father “When are you going to my retire” — his answer is always the same “Why would I want to retire? For what?”

So on Easter, when my father answered the question about what was his favorite job and why, he said “Being a water meter reader…because it SAVED MY LIFE!”

And that’s the TRUTH!

My dad was sinking in a deep depression because of losing 1 of his 4 children and that job literally saved him. It gave him a renewed purpose, it allowed him to stop wearing ties and suits and constricting dress shoes and instead it gave him an opportunity to be outdoors with nature talking to people and helping out where ever he can.

I remember one time a bad storm was going on and a tree fell in the middle of the road, the main light went out and traffic was a mess! My dad got of of his truck and started directing traffic!

When a plane crashed at the 14th Street Bridge in DC many years ago, my dad was out helping people in distress. My dad will stop and give you the shirt off his back, his coat, his shoes, his gloves and whatever else you need. That’s the kind of man and role model he has been and is to so many who have the privilege of knowing him! Everyone LOVES my father!

My dad LOVES being a water meter reader and obviously not because it is a high paying job. He took a big cut in pay to go from a Regional Manager of a men’s clothing chain to read meters, but it fills his soul each and every day…and no one can take that away from him!

He gets very emotional when he talks about his JOB.

So here’s what you need to know about discovering your life purpose:

It’s not a one and done event. It’s something that changes as you grow and change!
The key to discovering your “unique” life purpose is basically to look at all the possibilities you have and to chose those few that allow you to express the best of yourself!
Your life purpose always involves “choosing your SELF” and “Sharing your GIFTS with the world.”

I promise you don’t need to read a 324 page book and answer extensive questions and exercises to discover your life purpose. All you need to do is start removing the things in your life that “tire” you and allow what “inspires” you to take its place!

Start making room!

Here’s me and my Pops:

His job and his purpose keeps him going strong every day!!! He’s my HERO!

If you are in the mood to read about a book that will inspire you…try reading: “A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life” by Brian Grazer and Charles Fishman

If you’re confused about the direction of your life…

Just follow your curiosity…it won’t lead you wrong, and stay TRUE to yourself!

You are worth it! This blog post is dedicated to my wonderful dad who inspires each and every day to be a better person!!!

Thanks POPS!!!