A reader of my weekly Business Newsday Column recently emailed and asked:

Is there a proven system that exists in discovering the “why” in one’s life. It seems to me that in reality there are many “whys” depending on the stage one has reached in their life and circumstances surrounding it.

I made several attempts to answer him immediately but then chose to let it simmer for a couple of days.

After many years of searching for a perfect system for finding and discovering purpose, passion, and voice I realize that what I wanted was a simple method – with steps carefully outlined – that I could follow and arrive safely – living my destiny.

Instead what I found was other people’s systems where some fit, other parts were uncomfortable and some didn’t feel right at all. All I encountered was confusion, feeling alone as if I were the only person living without purpose, and to be honest – like a fraud. Showing up, doing stuff not not feeling like this was ME!

Maya Angelou says

Life is pure adventure and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art; to bring all our energies to each encounter, to remain flexible enough to notice and admit when what we expected to happen did not happen. We need to remember that we are created creative and can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed. Life seems to love the liver of it.

What I get from that is to no longer look OUT THERE for a system but to tap into our own INNER DIRECTION. Become thinker uppers/writer downers, as suggested by Stuart Avery Gold and Ron Rubin.

Make visible the providential burst that comes to you from out of whatever glorious blue and seize its excitement. Understand this: when God in her wisdom decides to send you a thunderbolt of creative unfoldment you better not let it get away. I promise you that what enlivens and excites can be momentary and ephemeral if pen is not put to paper. Meaning woefully: EVERYDAY WONDERS SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS.

It is that simple and that tragic. Everyday you MUST experiment, explore, prepare, adapt and evolve. And you must take notes, become more aware and look for patterns.

When the mind that plans is misaligned with the WHOLE person who creates, goals don’t serve us.

Instead of focusing on clear expected outcomes, attune yourself to YOUR system of inner signals. Then you’ll access the choice you can most easily commit yourself to.

Here’s a simple guide:

1. Keep notes of the steps you’re taking
2. Respect your intuition
3. Beware of logic getting in your way
4. Follow your energy.

We have all been put on this earth with many gifts. Some we’ve opened, some we are afraid to unwrap and some we aren’t even aware are there! Fulfilling our purpose whatever that is for us involves using our gifts, talents, and any other information that may come to us – but go like a streak, never to be willed back into being!

Your life is an adventure. Uncertainty is your friend. Creating is what you were born to do!

What are your thoughts regarding finding purpose?