Our Purpose Now

In our lives, many things will happen to us. Our strength is in how we respond to these things.

The death of our spouse is probably the worst thing that can happen to one of us. There are many ways that we can respond to this tragedy. We can live our lives alone with a hole in our life where our spouse used to be. We can give up and die of a broken heart. A few of us may take our own life. The rest of us continue on, maintaining, searching for how we will now live. Hopefully the majority of us will find or return to our God given purpose.

After my wife died, I prayed while at mass. I heard one word, "Write". In writing this essay, I asked God what I should write and He inspired me with "Purpose".

I wrote and gave a speech for Toastmasters about this phase of my life following the death of my wife. I described what I would build this phase of my life on. I included a comment that had come to mind in an earlier meeting, Learn, Teach, Help, Love, Laugh, and Dance.

I started writing with keeping a journal of my thoughts and experiences. I separated some of my experiences as they were signs. This was part of learning what to do in this next phase. Learn how to go on, then relate my findings to others in my situation. Help them by sometimes just being there. I also realized that there are alot of people around us that are going through situations that we aren't aware of, and that may make them difficult to deal with, but we need to show love to them regardless. I found that we also need to laugh. Nothing relieves stress like laughter. And if someone can make us laugh, that shows also that we love them. Then to dance, to enjoy living, being with people, doing new things. It may not be dancing, but it needs to be some physical activity.

As for the signs, many unexplainable things happened, which I found out from the grief support groups and my research, is not uncommon. But, like getting inspirations for your purpose or other things that you should do, you may find that these contacts from heaven will continue, so pay attention.

Go out. Do things. Get involved. Your purpose may find you. You will find also that life will keep feeding your purpose. Einstein said: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is."

Regarding my writing, the monthly NAMI lunches that I volunteer at, is presenting writing classes this year, following the lunch. Coincidence? No! Inspiration? Yes!

God bless.

Update - Our Purpose Now: A Life of Service

I recently heard in a sermon by the new pastor of our church, a quote from Mother Theresa.
The Fruit of Silence is Prayer
The Fruit of Prayer is Faith
The Fruit of Faith is Love
The Fruit of Love is Service
The Fruit of Service is Peace

We are now in a pandemic, the Coronavirus, COVID 19 Pandemic. This disease is showing us that we are all equally vulnerable, regardless of any difference between us. The rich, the poor, the princes, the paupers, the young, the old, the healers, and the otherwise infirmed. We are all human

It is easier now to relate to each other, to love each other, and to help each other.
Regardless of the governments or politicians.
It is also easier to judge others, though that is not our purpose.