“Pope, I thought becoming a doctor would give me meaning—but it hasn’t. I don’t know what I’m meant to do. I wake up, go to work, come home, sleep—and repeat. Is this all there is?”
That’s what a young Dr told me after doing everything “right.”
He had the degree, the job, the apartment, the status—even a beautiful partner. But something was still missing.
Not drama. Not money.
Meaning.
He wasn’t lost. He was just unlit.
And that’s the thing about purpose—it doesn’t always strike like lightning.
Sometimes, it’s a quiet whisper we have been ignoring for years.
You can have everything the world says you should want and still feel empty because having more of what the society values makes you successful. Success is external. Fulfillment is internal and comes when you live your purpose.
Is the “Grand Calling” a Myth?
You are not here by accident.
There is a reason you exist.
But we often expect purpose to arrive like a divine announcement:
A clear mission. A perfect career. A title that fits like a crown.
But what if purpose isn’t a destination?
What if it’s a direction?
Purpose isn’t always a job.
It’s not always a passion.
Sometimes, it’s a pattern.
– The way you light up when you teach someone something new
– The peace you feel in nature
– The joy you get from fixing what’s broken
– The fire that rises when you witness injustice
– The calm that comes when you’re creating
– The task you do without needing praise—just quiet satisfaction
These are clues.
Breadcrumbs.
Follow them.
🛤️ Purpose Is Found in Motion
You won’t think your way into purpose.
You’ll move your way into it.
– Try things—even the wrong things
– Volunteer. Shadow someone. Start a side project
– Say yes to what excites you—even if it scares you
– Say no to what drains you—even if it pays well
– Reflect. Adjust. Repeat
Purpose isn’t a perfect fit from day one.
It’s a relationship.
You grow into it.
🪞 Ask Better Questions
Instead of asking, “What’s my purpose?”
Ask:
– What breaks my heart—and what can I do about it?
– What do people thank me for?
– What would I still do, even if I didn’t get paid?
– What did I love before the world told me to be “practical”?
– Where do I feel most alive?
Your answers won’t be perfect.
But they’ll be honest.
And honesty is your compass.
🧱 Build It—Don’t Wait for It
Purpose isn’t hiding behind a locked door.
It’s built—brick by brick—through action.
– Show up
– Serve someone
– Learn something
– Create something
– Heal something
– Love someone
– Be honest
– Be true
– Strive to be your best self
Do that enough times, and one day you’ll look up and realize:
“This is it. I’m living it.”
🌱 Purpose Evolves
Your purpose at 20 may not be your purpose at 40.
And that’s okay.
You’re not a statue.
You’re a story.
And stories have chapters.
Don’t cling to an old version of yourself out of fear.
Let your purpose grow as you do.
🔥 The Purpose Trap
Beware of perfectionism disguised as purpose-seeking.
– “I can’t start until I’m sure.”
– “What if I choose wrong?”
– “What if I’m not good enough?”
These aren’t questions.
They’re cages.
Start anyway.
Clarity comes from courage—not certainty.
A Purpose-Driven Invitation
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be in pursuit. And ensure you are doing something meaningful to generate enough to take care of your responsibilities. It’s possible to be successfully fulfilled!
Purpose isn’t a prize for the lucky.
It’s a path for the willing.
So in 2026, walk it.
With curiosity.
With humility.
With heart.
And remember:
You are not behind.
You are becoming.
Peace and clarity to you.
