It’s a big deal. I don’t know why anyone would say it isn’t. But a pressure exists in our society to figure it out sooner rather than later and I can’t say I agree with that. What are you going to be when you grow up? We ask it of our little people, who (more often than not) respond with some pretty big ideas. They want to be a lawyer. Or a writer. Or (better yet) a balloon maker (this was my mom’s dream job at the tender age of four).
Then they start school, and the ideas change. The dreams continue to evolve, but the question doesn’t go away. What do you want to be when you grow up? A lawyer? A writer? (At this point you have matured enough to rule out balloon maker as a profession).
Then comes college where the pressure sounds the worst. What are you going to be when you grow up? Law school sure is expensive. And there sure is a lot of competition to become a writer. How about psychology? Or communications? Or financial planning?
Obviously us canines don’t really go through this whole debacle as we rely on our people to struggle through it on our behalf. (All so they can go to that place called work instead of play with us all the time – a concept I’ll never fully understand). Perhaps because I don’t personally deal with the distraction of the daily grind, I’ve noticed that regardless of where along the line a person ultimately comes upon their answer to this very big question, it has something very significant in common.
None of this matters without purpose. Without passion. I may not have a career, but I’m no stranger to thoughts on what makes up a purpose-filled life. I remember the first time I questioned my purpose right after I was separated from my birth mom and brothers. I feared I would never feel what it’s like to be a family again. I thought I found my purpose in protecting Jo from the man with the leather belt, but he didn’t like that purpose very much and solved that problem by leaving me on the side of the road. I feared I would never know home again. So I spent the majority of my time at the Oshkosh Humane Society questioning my purpose in life. I feared I wouldn’t know love again.
But I have found that fear (especially in our darkest moments) ultimately brings purpose to those who let it. My fears led me to purpose in becoming a valued part of a family in my forever home. I know now with complete certainty that I am fulfilling my purpose in something as simple as that.
“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being,” analytical psychologist Carl Jung suggested.
It is a big deal to find one’s purpose. To kindle the light. I don’t know why anyone would say it isn’t. What do I want to be when I grow up? Besides the fact I’ve committed to never actually growing up, I have found what matters. My purpose in life is to be a valued part of my family in my forever home. My purpose is to share joy from the ground up with whomever will take it. My purpose is to live, and bring fear to purpose for me and anyone who knows me. I know my purpose. What’s yours?
Wiley's Wisdom 
Oh Wiley, I love how wise you are. You have more purposes than you realize. Your wisdom always enlightens me every day and gets me thinking. We are thankful everyday that our Mommy does not work and gets to stay at home and be with us, takes care of us, play with us, and is always there when we need her. We are faithful to her and protect her throughout the day and we always look forward to when our Daddy arrives home from that place called work. We always greet him with such enthusiasm and he always smiles and gives us huggies and kissies. We really loved your post and are thankful for your wisdom. We would love to see some photos of your Mommy in your posts every now and then, as we have never seen any pics of her! You should take a pic with your Mommy & share it with us!
Wow. I think you made the hearts of my whole family smile with this comment, dear one(s). Thank you for your kind words, your thoughtfulness, and your encouragement. You should know comments like this are what keeps me writing – you fuel my creative fire and bring me a whole other special type of joy from the ground up.
You are indeed blessed that your Mommy can stay home and be with you when you need her, and your Daddy is so lucky to have all that enthusiasm and love to look forward to when he returns from that place called work.
My mommy has been a little camera shy these days (ala Battle Baby Bump Royale), but maybe I’ll talk her into something sometime soon. She has a hard time saying no to me, after all. 😉
Lots of love to all the precious members of Nikitaland,
Wiles (and family)
That is what it is all about Wiley! We inspire each other and bring out our inner creativity! Tell your Mommy to get some nice pics of the two of you – we don’t judge! Heck, my Mommy is always in sweat pants around the house! She says, “why do I have to fix myself up when I stay at home with the dogs?” No one sees me! LOL Lots of love & joy back to all of you!
Shhh. Don’t tell anyone I told you, but my mom likes her “comfies” too. She wears them a lot. I will definitely work on the pictures thing regardless. 😉
I think lots of us doggies have a similar purpose in our lives and our homes, Wiles. At least I hope we do. I feel blessed that my purpose is bringing smiles and comfort and cuddles and caring to my family and friends.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I know for certain you and I share a similar purpose, dear Cupcake. You bring much joy to your mom and all who you come into contact with – including little ole me! Thank you for bringing your flavor of joy into the world.
Lots of love,
Wiles
I agree =) Why does an answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?” have to be an occupation or some big dream? Can’t I just want to be happy when I’m older? Wiser? And not “making millions of money” or “criminal justice major”. My teacher once said that everyone lives in the “emergency room”. That they are always worried about something. We need to try and get rid of all those worries because that will be the death of most of us. Thank you for your post. Good read <33
Well hello new friend!!! You are absolutely right about these big questions and answers. That, and that fabulous analogy your teacher mentioned about us living in emergency rooms. I witness the worry and concern about so many things we can’t control on a daily basis and I wish there was a way I could pause it all and replace all the worry with love and peace. Thank you for your words. Please come back and visit me again sometime soon! I appreciate your thoughts and love new paw prints on my pages.
Lots of love,
WIley
“everyone lives in the emergency room.” Perfect! Thank you for that one!
=)) You’re welcome.
😉
I am with you, Wyles. Purpose is my passion – finding it and fulfilling it. To my surprise, we each have assignments when we come to this earth. That is what my meditations have told me… God just keeps up-ing the ante. I complete one assignment and I hear, “Congratulations! Do you want another?” I’ve been working on this one for…. well, since 1991 and it is a doozy. With no instructions on how to achieve it…. Hmm, it frequently makes me wonder if it wasn’t just to keep me busy trying to figure out just how to achieve it. Nonetheless, I can look back and see how far I’ve come. Love to you and your family, Wyles. HuntMode
It makes so on much sense to me that you take such care with such an important passion. Finding one’s purpose is never busy work in my humble opinion. Each is a step along the journey worth pausing to appreciate. You do this very well from what I can tell.
Lots of love,
Wyles
[…] Wiley’s Wisdom asked recently “What is your purpose?” What are you here to do from your Soul’s perspective? For Wiley, it is to give joy from the ground up. For me, I have had many answers, but it all comes back to, at the end of my days, facing God, and how I will answer, “Did you leave My world a better place?” […]
Well, now that’s interesting. I’ve never seen that happen before -usually it’s a pingback…. Purpose, Wyles, purpose everywhere and in every thing even something as small as a byte…. 😉
I too thought we’d have a pingback situation…instead we have this. I’ll take it. 🙂
Thanks, Wyles! As always you are a most generous host. 🙂
🙂
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
What do you want to be when you grow up? Jury’s still out for me. 🙂