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22

February 22 • 2018

jn

his fall, many recent high
in family names like Tailor, Cooper or
school graduates headed off
Smith. Even today, many children go
to college. There, each will
into the family business or take on the
attempt to discover a life purpose that family profession.
will make them happy, motivate them
The movie Punchline, starring Tom
to achieve some higher goal
Hanks, demonstrated this real-
and help them discover
ity well. Hanks’ character is in
their self-worth. Indeed,
medical school only because
finding a purpose in life is a
everyone in his family are doc-
task for all of us.
tors. Unmotivated as a medi-
To seek your purpose, ask
cal student, he aspires to be a
yourself some questions:
standup comedian. Similarly,
What challenges me? Do I
Sally Fields plays a stay-at-
have an untapped passion
home mom who also wants to
Daniel
or skill? What areas do I
move beyond her humdrum
want to explore — including Rosenbaum,
life to make standup comedy
those that involve a different Ph.D., LMSW
her life purpose. Eventually,
direction than previously
both choose comedy despite
considered? Is there a per-
what their families think.
son or event that has inspired me to
Ironically, some people don’t think
pursue a specific course? What do I
they have much to offer, so they
find enjoyable or exciting?
never explore the idea of a life’s pur-
As many who have tried can attest,
pose. In fact, they often reject such
finding a life purpose can be difficult.
a search out of hand. They may take
You may be surprised when or where
low-level positions below their abili-
a life purpose reveals itself. A person I
ties to assuage any fear of success.
know watched a TV special about alu- Yet, desire and ambition can counter
minum, which, prior to the show, was
self-doubt. Especially at entry-level
a topic he had never thought about.
positions, hard work and a positive
He quickly realized that he had no
outlook can bring untapped talents
skills or education in this area; he
or instincts to the fore.
required knowledge in metals and
In our time, most people have the
experience in sales to advance. To
freedom to choose their life’s purpose
gain the necessary background, he
with little question or influence of oth-
acquired an internship that helped
ers. Selecting a purpose can be scary,
him confirm that he had found his
particularly if one’s choice conflicts
particular purpose. Besides educa-
with family expectations or others’
tion, he also sought out a mentor
opinions.
who had already found success in
Some people yearn for that “one big
his desired field.
break” and find it hard to imagine that
Beyond knowledge and skills, you
there will be numerous opportunities
need appropriate demeanor and
to realize their purpose. Many change
attitude. That is, having a tempera-
direction multiple times, even in older
ment that is proportionate to the job
age. Others find an encore career, their
demands, as well as being tolerant
real purpose, when they approach
of others who are not as far along on
retirement. Artist Anna “Grandma”
their search for a purpose.
Moses, for example, didn’t begin to
Moreover, learn to become a self-
paint until she was 78.
starter who demonstrates initiative
No matter where you are in life, find
and motivation. Show that you are
a purpose that will provide you with
someone who can work independent- happiness and esteem. When you
ly with little or no supervision. Any of
invest in yourself, you can achieve the
these competencies will expand your
goals on which to construct your life.
opportunities, moving you closer to
Take on this challenge. •
your purpose.
Dr. Daniel Rosenbaum is a clinical social
For centuries, children have fol-
worker at Counseling Associates Inc. in West
lowed in the line of work of their for-
Bloomfield, where he counsels children, teens
bearers; their purpose, therefore, was
and adults experiencing family or personal
predetermined. This is easily noted
psychological problems

