"Would you tell me, please, which way I should go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don't much care where," said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.
"-so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.
"Oh, you're sure to do that," said that Cat, "if only you walk long enough."
~Alice in Wonderland~
In our life and in our recovery, we are often faced with the challenge of "getting somewhere." Whether it be a literal or figurative destination, a physical or mental goal, we not only have to know where we need to get to, but how are we going to get there. Knowing where we want to go gives us a purpose. And that purpose will shape our journey along whatever path we choose to reach our destination.
Having a purpose gives us a reason to support and appreciate our strengths. It gives us an opportunity to measure our success and to appreciate our successes, no matter how small. It gives us the opportunity to realize that a failure is not the end, but a chance to approach your path from a different perspective. A purpose gives us a chance to grow into the person we desire to be. It gives us a chance to set goals that will lead us to our purpose.
Having a purpose allows us to connect with other through shared experiences and future hopes. In striving to get to our purpose we can learn it is okay to ask for help from others. We build relationships through sharing with others and allowing them to help us reach the destination we chose, as we can also help them on their journey. We are able to open ourselves up to others and share in our success while also being there to extend a hand when we can.
We learn how to shape our purpose so that we can be a positive force in the lives of those around us. In my life, my purpose can be as simple as staying sober today, getting my shoulder healthy enough to play softball, or traveling to California. Maybe it’s to read the newest Game of Thrones book, to do the 12 steps in a recovery fellowship, or to become a personal trainer. Whatever I choose as my purpose today, it will give me the motivation and understanding and patience to get around those bumps and grow as I do. The experiences I have had while living a purpose driven life in recovery have been second to none and have helped to shape my life. It has allowed me to enjoy my life that much more.
When we give our lives a purpose, we have that much more reason to continue to trudge that road to a happy destiny.