While I agree with the comments posted about this exercise not being a magic elixir, I still applaud your post. Most people go through life not even asking the question, yet they wonder why they end up where they did. I say go for it! As Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”

Thanks,
Brian

Thanks Pam.

These are interesting exercises, and figuring out where my “happy places” are is certainly inspiring.

However, I can’t help partly agreeing with Morgan above: while this may give me hints as to what I should do to be happy in my free time, who I’d benefit from connecting with, and where I should think about travelling to in future, I’m not sure whether it’s of much help in determining a career path.

Just my two cents – but thanks for another thought-provoking read.

Best wishes, Rosie

—

You are right Rosie — this is just the beginning of a process of discovering what you are meant to do. The blog post title may be a bit sensationalist (if you can discover your life purpose by reading 500 words or less, you are amazing!), but it does start the process of discovery for many people.

What is important is reconnecting with the part of yourself that is open, creative and joyful. Once you get this part open, you can observe yourself, and the world, with new eyes. I explain a bit more in this follow up post http://tinyurl.com/yvjkqe and in my podcast interview with Martha Beck: http://tinyurl.com/2b6drk

For a more complete process, I always recommend Martha’s book, Finding Your Own North Star.

Good luck!

All the best,

-Pam

As I was reading your post, I began to think about my favorite movies, exhibits, music and then…I began to see a pattern emerging.

Thanks for sharing your insight, this exercised really helped me a lot.

To commenter Helen I say, liking alot of things is not a problem. I’m kind of a variety freak myself and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The fresh energy is worth the cost. Embrace your tendency to love a lot of different things.

The problem I have is that I love everything. I can’t choose. I want the mountaintop -and- the Parisian Café, I love Room with a View -and- Blade Runner. I make art, write, play music, parent. (not to mention 50 crafty and geeky hobbies). Barbara Sher’s ‘Refuse to Choose’ has helped a little, but there are only so many hours a day: does this mean I’m condemned to mediocrity? Or that I just haven’t found the right way to fit all my passions into a single vision?

Sing it to the tune of Grand Funk Railroads iconclastic song Were an American Band. Go on, sing it loud, Im still a Cubicle Man. Yeah, yeah! Unlike Grand Funk, this morning I dont have anything to…