I am someone who has been writing for a long time. In fact, much of the inspiration I use for this blog is from my past. So, tonight I’d like to share an entry that was part of a book I never published.
It’s April 8th 2008 today. I have had a major surgery since the last time I wrote. My appendix burst suddenly on January 20th. God’s timing was perfect, however, considering that that was the same day my mom came into town from Colorado for a visit. How lucky I was to have her by my side during those 5 long days in the hospital. I spent my 24th birthday at Good Shepard Hospital in Barrington, IL.
It’s interesting the things you think about when you are lying in a hospital bed. I thought a lot about what else I’d like to be doing with my life. Riding horses and hiking mountains were definitely some of the first thoughts on my mind. But trailing shortly behind was the desire to finish this book. Since my recovery, I have been way too busy living fully and enjoying life to write, but now I am ready again. The first quote that came to me one day came as I was driving down a country road listening to my country music loud, and singing at the top of my lungs. Without a care in the world, I heard a small still voice whisper; “My purpose is to have no purpose.” My purpose is just to be; to be right here, right now enjoying every moment on this earth.
A flight attendant recently told me to squeeze every pleasurable moment out of my time spent with loved ones. Not because life is short or you never know what’s going to happen, but for the simple reason of, why not enjoy what God has to give to the fullest? Regardless of the outcome, be here, be now. Searching for our destiny and striving to find the “right” path is not necessarily the way we end up “fulfilling our destiny.” Sometimes, we find our greatest life’s purpose in the midst of helping those around us.
Although it is wise to stay focused on our goals, and know when not to give in to temptation, sometimes by letting our hair down and forgetting about the end result, we find the answers we have been searching for. So, how to know when to “just have fun” and when to work hard? Now that is the question… I suppose, it’s not as important to know your purpose as it is to know yourself. In the movie, “Hope Floats,” the character who plays Sandra Bullock’s mom says, “My life has no special purpose, no meaning, but I am happy.” And that is what matters most.