I remember this very clearly, almost a year after I earned my Masters degree, when I felt like I had no purpose, as though I reached a point in my life where I was not growing. I was not working, not writing, I was simply not using my degree and time to do something productive. To be frank, it can be quiet daunting and depressing to live without a purpose, a goal or even a dream – for me atleast.
I have an undying passion for Journalism, everyone who knows me know that. I love writing , I love telling stories and I love engaging with people. It fills me with joy. The happiness and pride I feel every time any of my articles made it to the front page or any of the segments I worked on made it on live TV, is undeniably one of the best feelings I ever experienced. It is my niche, my journalism skills are my strongest asset and I pride myself without being egoistic at being good at what I do.
Fast forward 4 years later, two jobs, hopping from one hobby to another, I have become certain of the career I am after, the path I want to pave, where I see myself, where I want to be and what I want to do. I only came to fully grasp my true purpose after and during a number of times where I had to work in a different field than journalism. I felt hesitant, unwilling, demotivated and MANY times I would picture myself in a newsroom, with and around people and just the thought of it would make me happy. The feeling itself made me rethink many decisions and I would ask myself – Is this really what I want to do? Why am I doing this? Am I happy? is it worth it? should I reconsider?
A very, very, dear family member said something though that resonated with me when speaking of this subject – She said- “ Is what you are doing now building you for a career you are after in the future?” – and that is what put my mind at rest. Many times, where we are now is a stepping stone of where we are going.
Now, there is alot of talks and quotes online and on our daily feeds encouraging people to a degree to leave their corporate jobs and create their own “job”. This, for example although sounds motivating is not for me and I dont think I am the only one. Because the career I am after, is a personal goal, a dream, it has a purpose. It is my purpose, and not being the boss of myself is not what I am after, and that is ok.
It might not be now, but I know what I am building myself for. Although it aches me, that my options are somehow limited, and it pains me knowing how difficult it is to get yourself where you want to be at times- I believe whole heartedly that through the experiences I am exposing myself to, I will surely get to where I want to be in the future.
BUT, one must not leave everything to fate. There is alot that I learned from my husband, one lesson being to work and fight full force for your dream, what you want, what you deserve. So I continue to work hard in building myself, my C.V and my skills for that one day.
I think it is important that regardless of what you are doing, that you find time to do what it is that you love regardless of your job/role and lifestyle. For me, it is finding the time to write, which is why I started my blog 3 years ago, so that I can connect with part of myself that I felt was fading. Although, I am super inconsistent – behind the scenes, I write a-lot. I write randomly every now and then, some saved as notes on my phone, my laptop, notebooks and very few make it on the virtual world.
Yes, there is alot that I could do without a job in the field. But that option is not what I am seeking, it is not my purpose – creative writing is not it. It defeats my purpose, I want to write stories – far from fiction, stories about people not of people. I want to address issues, be the voice of society not my own.
I know how powerful the pen I write with is, but the words of people that fill my note pad is a different kind of powerful and I want to always give my community the medium to voice their stories, their concerns – I have a pen, a notepad , a recorder – they have the words – they are the true storytellers and I never stop dreaming of the day I am able to tell their stories, all over again.
Now tell me, have you found your purpose yet? what is your story?
Dhabya,
“Many times, where we are now is a stepping stone of where we are going”
That is true, and many times you have the worst days and think you want to quit whatever it is you are doing, and some days are the best which gives you an illusion that this is your path – don’t be fooled… if you know your purpose stick to it and continue working on whatever you are doing to get there. If you don’t know your purpose, you will know it through all these experiences.
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