In this next exercise, we're going to take a look at finding purpose. Oftentimes, the question that I get asked the most often from people is what's my purpose? Oftentimes we find ourselves in jobs. And we don't know how we got there. It's almost as if our purpose was defined for us by family, friends, colleagues, obligations in our community. But rarely do we have time to consider what we want, what we want to be doing and where our talents lie.

And sometimes I think people would prefer if we could just say, this is what you should be doing. But in reality, while I can help guide people who are looking for clues, and can't tell them exactly what they should be doing, each person has to find it for themselves. Additionally, many people find that their purpose is not limited to one thing, it might be several things, and that purpose can change throughout a lifetime. So in this next mindfulness exercise, we're going to take a look at four areas are unique talents and skills, what brings us joy and fulfillment, how these areas can be applied to the work world. And last, we're also going to take a look at what we don't want, so that we can bring to awareness what we do want and seek those things out. So once again, I invite you to get comfortable and when you're ready, we'll begin this next very important exercise.

Take a few deep breaths, inhale through the nose and exhale. If you feel any buildup of tension and you need to de stress, feel free to take a deep inhale through your nose, open your mouth and just sign it out and then return to breathing in and out through your nose. With this visualization, I'd like you to imagine that you have an entire month free from work. You have unlimited financial resources. You have the time and you are in perfect health. How will you spend your time?

Perhaps there's a vacation spot you've always wanted to visit, or something you've always wanted to do, but never had the opportunity. You may have dozens of things come to mind. choose just one. Imagine yourself waking up on one of those days. How will your day begin? As you picture it, I'm going to be quiet for several moments.

Go ahead and imagine how this day will unfold. Good Now gently guide yourself back to your breath, noticing your inhalation and exhalation allowing your mind to be clear and relaxed. Now remember, you have an entire month on this journey. Is there something else you would like to do? Go ahead and pick one more thing. And once again, imagine yourself setting out to do whatever it is and simply watch with your mind's eye, how the dam unfolds.

I'll be quiet so you can picture this in as much detail as possible. Good. Now I'd like you to imagine that the day has come to an end and you climb into bed, and you're remembering all the wonderful things that happened on this day. Now gently draw your awareness back to your breath. We're going to change the story just a little bit. I'd like you to imagine you have enough money to live out the rest of your life without financial concerns.

You have all the time you're in perfect health. You can spend this time doing whatever you would like to do. Now, it may be tempting to imagine a life of leisure. The truth is, we all need purpose. We can't just simply go on a constant state of vacation. We need to seek out things that brings us meaning and contribute to our happiness.

So what would you do if money were not a concern? Is there a career you've always wanted to try? Is there a volunteer opportunity you've always wanted to do but just didn't have the time? Is there something you've always wanted to learn? So as we pause here and reflect on whatever it is that you would like to do, if you could do whatever you want, try not to limit yourself on time, money for talent. And imagine this in as much detail as possible.

Now when you're ready, returned to noticing your breath, the inhalation and the exhalation. Before we move on, I'd like you to take note of what skills you'd need to accomplish whatever it is you just pictured for yourself. And now I'd like you to think about the previous part of this meditation. When you were on vacation, what skills or talents or abilities Did you need to do? What Whoever it was that you were doing, compare the two and see if there's an overlap. Don't worry if it's not readily apparent.

However, do you notice any similarities between what you were doing and the joy that it brought you? For example, perhaps on vacation, you spent time with animals or were out in nature. Or perhaps your ideal job is working with animals or working outside. See if you notice any things that overlap that might bring you joy. And keep in mind, what you're doing, who you're doing it with, when and where you are. Are there a lot of people is it a little more isolated?

After this visualization is complete, you'll want to Write down whatever you notice and reflect on it. And it's okay to revisit this part of the meditation again in the future. So now we're going to change the story just one more time. Imagine that you're going to work on a typical day. If you're not working, imagine how you spend your day. Again, this is a typical day.

The first thing I'd like you to notice about this day, what skills do you bring to it? If you have trouble thinking of skills, think about the tasks that you do. For example, if you're in customer service, and you have to talk to an angry customer, and they leave happy and feeling as if they've been hurt. Communication skills are definitely something that reflect in your skills. It's a talent that you need to get through this day. Pick one final moment to access and think about the skills that you bring to your everyday work.

Now, I'd like you to reflect on the two previous meditations when you were on vacation. And when you were doing whatever career or task you wanted to do, simply start to notice what skills and talents may overlap. It's okay if it's not readily apparent, just reflect on it. Now, there's one more part to this. Let's go back to your typical day. What don't you like about this day?

For example, maybe you don't like dealing with angry customers. Or perhaps you have to present in front of people and it makes you nervous and you don't enjoy it. Take a moment to reflect on the things about your job and your day that you wish you really didn't have to do. Now, obviously, in work, sometimes we have to do parts of projects that we don't love. However, in order to explore your purpose, and to gravitate toward things that do bring you joy, I want you to imagine that there's kind of a filter in front of you. And anything that doesn't fit, the purpose gets filtered out.

So if there are negative things that come to mind, that you don't like about the job, begin to filter it out. If you imagine a perfect day, and there's something about it that you think, oh, maybe I don't like that. Go ahead and filter it. And when an opportunity comes your way that you love and Say yes, I would love to do that. let it pass through the filter. I'm going to be quiet for just a moment.

So to close this meditation, I'd like you to take yourself back to that favorite vacation spot. Imagine it and as much detail as possible. And you're welcome to now hold that image. Or if you'd like to practice, that no mind state of meditation, simply be without noticing. And when you're ready, go ahead and open your eyes.