Day 7: Focusing on What Brings You Meaning and Purpose in Life

@Hope

The picture in my room is a twin landscape with both southern and northern trees...

It reminds me of my grandparents maybe and how they used to travel down south.

And it reminds me of my upbringing that is so tied to the trees here in the north.

So weird that there is a place where the pine and palm meet. Maybe I need to go to Cali...

@communicativePond1728

That is interesting! I would not have noticed the difference between the trees if you had not pointed them out. 

@Hope

@Jon7cups

Hi Hope! 😊 ❤️ Thank you for this thought provoking forum post. 

For me, what brings me meaning and purpose in life is leading a life that is filled with intentionality. Kind of like...what are you going to do today? Who are you going to be today? 

I have choices in life just as anyone else does. Can I wake up in the morning and choose to be the same person I was yesterday, someone that strives to have integrity? Of course I can! It's a mindset. It's keeping commitments to others as well as to myself. 

@Jon7cups can attest to this one, lol 😊 I have said many times here on the platform that I check my very own profile page/bio from time to time. When I first came here, those are the things that I wrote. Words have meaning. I see those things as commitments that I have made to others as well as to myself on how I will be, how I will think and how it is that I will conduct myself.

I look at my own bio from time to time to keep myself in "check". It's part of being highly self governed. Can I have integrity and keep to those words? If I can't then I either need to take a step back and consider if I have "lost my way" or either edit/remove items because it's standards that I can't keep myself to or perhaps my belief system has changed. So far, so good. I haven't removed anything as of yet. 😊

It seems as if the proof is in the pudding. For many months there was a problem with my feed and mine was the only one on the platform that was experiencing this. We kept waiting to see if it would filter out after other coding. Everyone scratching their head? What is it that is so highly unique about Gizzies feed? 

Ta-dah! 💡Jon figured it out. I read my own profile page as a healthy reminder to "self ", ergo, it caused the glitch with only me. Thank you for fixing that Jon. *high fives* 😊 and big *hugs* ❤️

Just as with my bio here, in real life I call it "begin as you plan to continue" so I try to lead a very purpose driven life, keep commitments to myself as well as to others. 

I certainly have not had an easy life and I imagine there would be very few that claim to have had one. It's one of the reasons that I truly love the quote that you provided "Man can suffer any how as long as he knows why".

I choose to give purpose, meaning and reasoning to any suffering that I have had. It hasn't been in vain if I choose to use my suffering in an effort to help others. I despise "unnecessary suffering" and I have seen quite a bit of it in my life time. 

Bad things can happen to good people and if I use what I have learned in an effort to help others, well...I will leave a legacy and maybe one that I only know in my heart that changed someones life, that changed the course of history, that ended or at least mitigated someone elses suffering in the moment. 

Again, I see things as a choice. Will I be bitter or will I be better? I choose better! 😊

Thanks again for the great forum post. This was a meaningful moment here with you.

*high fives* 😊 and *hugs* ❤️

@SparkyGizmo

That makes sense, being intentional in how we interact with all that life presents can add meaningfulness. 

I agree all sorts of things happen to all people, bad, good, great, terrible. It is all a part of life. 

@Hope

❤️❤️❤️

@Hope

1. Think of a picture you would like to have in your room, where you can always see it. You don’t get to take it down at any point and it must resonate with who you are and what you believe in. 

• It's a picture of me and my best friend.
• Because I really love my friend!

2. To find your Ikigai, ask yourself the following questions:

What am I good at? I am good at providing support to people

What does the world need more of? More people that care about one another.

What can I get paid for? For all the hard work I put.

What do I love? My room and plushies and friends!

@KateDoskocilova

What a beautiful picture to choose! Thank you for partaking in the exercise

Thank you for a thought-provoking post and encouraging reflection!

What am I good at? - I am good at cooking and listening! Sometimes I use cooking as a way to listen to myself too!

What does the world need more of? - Definitely more love and nurturance 

What can I get paid for?  - The love I share in therapy for everyone who is just looking for themselves

What do I love? -  I love my family and my kittens!

@JuiShankarPhD

Enjoying cooking is a useful thing in life! We gotta eat. I am glad you have found a profession that has helped you pursue your ikigai

Thank you for this post, as it helps when taking a moment to reflect on my day, year, and overall life.

In my office, I have a picture of my vision board from years ago. It reminds me of the progress I've made in my life and helps me to reflect on ways I was able to accomplish my goals.

What am I good at? Inspiring others

What does the world need more of? Compassion

What can I get paid for? Helping others help themselves

What do I love? My family

@AshleyCoxLMHC

The vision board sounds like a good way to reflect on your progress. Thank you for partaking in these exercises

@Hope

1. 

This is a picture of a sunrise. It reminds me that each day starts again. Failures, regrets, disappointments don't exist here. It's a reminder of everything that can come with a new day and a fresh start. 

2. To find your Ikigai, ask yourself the following questions:

What am I good at? Connection and making sure everyone has a place and feels included

What does the world need more of? Kindness and connection between people 

What can I get paid for? Helping people find that connection with each other and learn to find their own value and self worth through therapy. 

What do I love? Seeing people grow and find their true self through through their own life goals and connection with the world around them.

Thank you for this post and reflection. It was a wonderful way to start the morning. Have a wonderful day. 

@DanielleJohnsonLMHC

I love that picture and I love sunrises. Your reflection reminds me of this quote

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

@Hope Very interesting exercises! I have not done it in a very long time.  I would like a picture of a forest with the sun kind of low on the horizon (not dusk) shining a gold warm light; with full grown trees, grass, maybe a river or a lake where I'd be sitting down and watching my child play with our dog and cat; a comfortable fire near us. 

And the Ikigari....well, that was kind of hard. I guess my purpose might just be to help through therapy and dogs/cats. But the best answer is more of that I am still looking.  Thank you for these reflections! Loved the exercises!

@PaolaGiordaniMA

The picture sounds really soothing and hopeful. It looks like you would like to be close to nature!

@Hope its bakers how useful this is. 

For me the image I keep in my head that spurs me on is the image of my forever garden. The place where I will retire to and spend the rest of my days making a garden thats full of life and magic. 

Bonkers not bakers ha!

@GrahamBarroneICHP

It has been a while! Forever garden sounds motivating. I hope we get to see that garden some day

@Hope  I have three pictures on my desk that all have meaning for me... One is a Mandala that a friend gave me that symbolizes Gratitude.  This picture reminds me to be grateful on a daily basis for so many things that I have in my life!  Good health, a loving family, a job I enjoy and running water are a few of the things that I am grateful for.  

Another picture is of six rocks balanced one on top of the other!  This reminds me to maintain balance in my life between; Family, Relationship, Work, Friends, Spiritual Belief, Exercise and to appreciate how all of this contributes to My own Well Being!

Finally I have a picture of a sunset in Arizona, where I grew up, and it reminds me of places and people and times gone by that were and still are very important to my story.

I thank 7 Cups for instigating this exercise and I will be back before the time is up to write some more!!

@MariaWasielewskiMA

The pictures sound so meaningful! It's so important to actively appreciate and cultivate gratitude for the blessings we do have, even on difficult days.

I know the picture you are talking about (the rocks) but I never looked at them from this lens!

@Hope

Great post, thank you! This would be an example of a picture I would think about.

• The picture represents the healing power of nature to me - just the forest and me, no urban sounds but the sound of water making it's way through the forest, the leaves whistling in the wind, the smell of earth. 

2. To find your Ikigai, ask yourself the following questions:

What am I good at?   I'm quite creative

What does the world need more of? Love and compassion, places to go to for support

What can I get paid for? Maybe producing something creative

What do I love? Supporting others here as much as I can and learning about mental illnesses

@amiablePeace77

That is a beautiful picture! 

Thank you for partaking in the exercise!!

I'm in the blue triangle 😩

@Hope, Thank you for the wonderful post. I appreciate the exercises as they prompted me to take a moment and contemplate my life.

The mental images that consistently occupy my thoughts are those of beautiful houses. I opt for such images because I place a high value on aesthetically pleasing homes, associating them with comfort and an overall sense of well-being. The visual of well-designed homes makes me feel positive and fosters feelings of relaxation and happiness. I also value comfort and happiness. 

What am I good at?  I am good at establishing connections with people.

What does the world need more of? I believe it is Empathy and Compassion

What can I get paid for? I get paid for providing therapy which  brings me satisfaction

What do I love? My love for my family and home holds a special place in my heart.

@SmitaJoshiPG

What a unique take on the exercise! I never thought of a hope for this picture but that makes sense. 

This is a wonderful exercise, thank you!
For me, the picture I actually do have in my room, is of big old trees. Old growth trees to me feel safe, sturdy, and wise.
I am good at empathy.
The world needs more people to have compassion-both for themselves and others.
I already get paid for holding space for people-for witnessing and supporting them. 
I love reflecting back to people how courageous they are.

1. There is a picture I had painted myself, it is a mountain side with a pier, and a beautiful lake. I chose this picture, because I have always felt connected to nature, water and serenity. An the picture that I painted represents what my ideal version of serenity looks like. 

2. Finding my Ikigai, I am good at painting, drawing, and being able to use my empathy in a very unique way. I feel the world needs more people that are willing to help others, rather than chase after materialistic means, especially nowadays materialism has taken such a strong effect on marriages/relationships or even family connections. I get paid in love and compassion for my emotional support towards my fiancee and toddler, I also get paid physically for helping the elderly get the insurance they desperately need. I love myself, my daughter, my fiancee, my in-laws, my grandparents, my apartment, my job, my cat and most of all i love my sister

@Hope

Very cool prompts. I enjoyed reflecting and weaving these together.

A picture that resonates with who you are and what you believe in. 
it'd be some kind of powerful quote, then every time i see it it serves as a mantra

2. To find your Ikigai, ask yourself the following questions:

What am I good at? Helping people

What does the world need more of? Understanding and sincere effort to try

What can I get paid for? A human touch technology just can't replicate

What do I love? Creativity, art/media, philosophy, psychology

I would like to share an idea that I first saw in a Jack Canfield book and that I have shared with many of my clients and my own family and friends as well.  I encourage people to find a rock that feels particularly good in the palm of their hand... I keep a small bag of rocks in my office for anyone that would like to take one or they can find their own on a beach or a hike...  Then I encourage them to hold their rock on a daily basis, (I prefer the morning when I wake up or at night before I go to sleep), and while they are holding their rock and feeling the texture and weight of it, I encourage them to say 5 to 10 things that they are grateful for.  I find that having my grateful rock in my hand, as I think of and say out loud the things that I am grateful for, gives me a greater sense of the impact of my gratitude.

Right now I am grateful to be part of this thread.  Thank you for reading...  

@MariaWasielewskiMA

I like this idea of a grateful rock as it acts as a good reminder to focus on all the nice things we have in life but also to help us stay anchored in the present.  Thank you so much for sharing!

From ChatGPT4…

"Ikigai" is pronounced as "ee-kee-gah-ee." Here's a breakdown:

• "Iki" (ee-kee): The first syllable "Iki" sounds like the "ee" in "see" and "kee" as in "key."
• "Gai" (gah-ee): The second syllable "Gai" has a soft "g" sound, as in "garden," followed by "ah" as in "father" and "ee" as in "see."

The emphasis is typically on the first syllable, so it's "EE-kee-gah-ee."