How Do You Know what Your Purpose is?

This is a question I get asked all of the time… How Do You Discover Your Purpose?
The answer is much more simple than people think…
You discover your purpose by being present in the moment. Listening to
your inner guidance. Paying attention to the messages you are receiving
at any given time. Being aware of the feelings in your body when certain
things awaken a desire within us. And being absolutely mindful of our
thoughts. If purpose is within us, and you desire to discover consciously
what your purpose is, then we must understand that spirit speaks to
you in present moment. You cannot hear the message from spirit when
thinking about the past or thinking about the future. Spirit speaks to
you in present moment. It is a now experience.
Exercises to Discover Your Purpose
Here are some simple exercises to help you discover your purpose. These
can be used daily, weekly, or any time you feel like something is shifting
within you and you need more clarity or guidance.
Automatic Writing /Journaling
This exercise can be done at any particular time when you are in need
of clarity or guidance. As I have mentioned, your purpose is constantly
changing as you change and grow and expand. So, this exercise may be
helpful at any given time along your journey of life. Automatic writing
will help you to be conscious of what is calling to you at this particular
time in your life so that you can live intentionally and consciously.
Let’s Begin:

• Create a space where you will not be interrupted for at least an
  hour. (No cell phone or computer either.)
  Have a couple of sheets of paper and a pen. No computer for
  this one, please.
• If you feel so guided, take a moment to ask the God of your
  understanding, your angels, spirit guides or any other spiritual
  deities for assistance in discovering your purpose. If this
  is new to you, you can ask Archangel Michael, who helps with
  Life Purpose and/or Archangel Uriel who helps with seeing the
  greater vision, for support and guidance.
• At the top of your paper, write: My purpose is …
• Now write anything and everything that comes into your awareness.
  Write without editing and without stopping. I call this
  stream of consciousness writing. It can be words, sentences, or
  phrases. It does not have to be complete sentences. As you write,
  observe your emotions and the feelings you have in your body.
• Continue writing until you either feel empty, it has been over
  a half hour, or you have a lot of emotion.
• Go through your list and mark the ones that brought up the
  most emotion in you. The ones that you could really feel in your
  heart. The ones that resonated with you. The ones that made you
  cry. The ones that gave you the chills. These messages, words
  and sentences are our purpose. So now that you have the words
  you will know what your purpose is … for now.

Meditation
Meditation is a technique that is often used to receive guidance, focus
energy and gain clarity. There are various forms of meditation and each
person connects with meditation in a different way. Some focus on the
breath, others an affirmation, others a vision, all to attain stillness.
For when we are still, we are present, and when we are present, the
purpose of the moment, day or our life can be revealed.
Let’s Begin:
Create a space where you will not be interrupted for at least a
half hour. No cell phone or computer. Nothing to distract you
from the stillness. Make sure this is a safe and comfortable
environment for you. You may want to have some sacred objects
beside you, such as crystals, deities, incense, or a lit candle.
It is your space, so create it to fit your energy and personality.
I would suggest having a journal and a pen beside you for
notes afterwards. A computer is fine, but have it off during the
meditation.

• Sit in a comfortable position. There are many suggested ways to
  sit. Many of them are also uncomfortable. Sit in whatever way
  is comfortable for you. On the floor or on a chair, even laying
  down is fine.
• If you feel so guided, take a moment to ask the God of your
  understanding, your angels, spirit guides or any other spiritual
  deities for assistance in discovering your purpose. If this
  is new to you, you can ask Archangel Michael, who helps with
  Life Purpose and/or Archangel Uriel who helps with seeing the
  greater vision, for support and guidance.
• Clear your mind. Release the tension from your body. Relax
  them both by focusing on your breath. Take a nice deep breath
  in, hold for 7 seconds, and out for 7 seconds. Let your breath
  become your focus.
• Now just observe. Be a witness to your thoughts and feelings.
  Allow them to just drift in, and out, like clouds. With
  the thoughts coming in, you are now aware of what is always
  already there hidden by the thousands of other thoughts and
  feelings that you are feeling on a daily basis. The more aware
  you are, the quieter your mind becomes so that you can really
  be in touch with the quiet purpose within. So as you breathe
  in and out just let the everyday thoughts drift away, allowing
  yourself to go deeper within, reaching that stillness where spirit
  speaks to you, and reveals your purpose.
• When you feel complete, recharged, disconnected, take a few
  deep breaths, return back to your space and open your eyes.
• Now take a moment and write down anything that stays with
  you, anything you feel deep within, this is the guidance of your
  spirit. You can do this every day, keeping notes on what the
  messages are as you continue the meditation.

Please remember, with meditation, the more you do it the deeper you
will go and the easier it will get. Practice, practice, practice and as
that stillness comes to you and through you, with commitment and
consistency, your greater purpose can and will be revealed.
Please share your experience with automatic writing or meditation in the comments section below.  – SDJ
Excerpt from Living Your Purpose by Sunny Dawn Johnston & Friends