Purpose is a major driving force in our lives. I would rather term it a major pulling power, though: we are pulled towards something greater than ourselves on a higher level or plane. And rather than being driven or pushed, we are rather pulled, helped supported to attain heights that ordinarily would be difficult to achieve. We may have a definite sense of purpose or we may ascribe to ourselves a perceived sense of purpose. Many years ago I wrote in my journal: my (perceived) purpose is to help myself and others be happier, healthier, more positive and optimistic, more Creation-conscious, more open and receptive to giving and receiving love, more successful, better in whatever way.

A while back I conceptualised POP, which is an acronym for: People On Purpose, or Power Of Purpose. It was in the context of a networking organisation whereby people with a sense of purpose would be guided to work towards achieving their goals utilising the organisation as the vehicle. This fell through but the idea remains very strong for me. The idea of being drawn towards our purpose, our soul purpose even, is very attractive. When purposeful people work together the results can be amazing.

What is your Purpose on earth? If this is unclear at present, what can you do to begin the search? Please comment below.

Thanks for taking the time to read my recent posts on SANE MAP for recovery and beyond!

Regards, Rex
Source: A SANE MAP - My Journey in Recovery from Addiction.
Click to get my new book: "Last Round. Cheers! From Alcoholic Insanity to Hope. A True Story."

Without action, very little happens. Whereas the A in MAP originally stood for and, it became the letter for Action, something distinctly lacking in my life; so this certainly became a higher level consciousness. And while my action is still somewhat tentative, it is a far cry from the tendency to read and write to the exclusion of activity. 

Theory is necessary, but unless put into practice it is not all that useful. It is said that knowledge is power, but again unless it is either imparted to others or applied it remains just knowledge – interesting but not necessarily functional. On an individual level it is so that like in most aspects of life balance is beneficial. Action can be an art as well. It is all very well to just act immediately, but sometimes the better option is to ponder and consider before taking the step of action. ​

Question time: What small action can you start today, that will make begin a positive shift in your recovery? 

Regards, Rex
Source: A SANE MAP - My Journey in Recovery from Addiction.
Click to get my new book: "Last Round. Cheers! From Alcoholic Insanity to Hope. A True Story."

MAP
I woke up in the early hours one morning a few years ago with the word MAP on my mind. I was thinking about meaning and purpose, the importance of meaning and purpose in life and particularly my life. I enjoy hiking and wandering in Nature. In numerous areas there are direction finders, in the form of a cylindrical-shaped stone construct with a metal plate. On this is inscribed a rough map, a line-drawn description of the area with various routes that can be taken and paths that have led to that particular point. At that point there is an arrow with the words “You Are Here”. 

Originally MAP was an acronym for Meaning and Purpose. Later I changed the A to denote Action, something which has been less than my strongest characteristic. I believe that all the paths that have led me to “You are Here” have held meaning and purpose for me. And now I have the freedom to choose the paths I shall take from here and now.

MEANING
Meaning has just naturally taken on an ever-deepening tone, really trying to come into contact with more and more meaning in life by contributing more and more meaning. 

My original purpose: helping myself and others be happier, healthier, more positive and optimistic, more Creation conscious, more open and receptive to giving and receiving love, more successful better in whatever way, has become more specific. Interestingly I resisted becoming involved in the field of addiction for a number of reasons, but I have been led somewhat inevitably in this direction. And probably rightly so, as I did spend most of my adult life in this domain.

Rather than asking the question, “What is the meaning of life?” it may be more useful to ask, “What is my meaning to life?” By asking this question we can lead a more proactive life. We may wake up in the morning and decide that we are in any case going to have a meaningful day, no matter what we may be doing. Our every interaction with someone can be made to be meaningful. We can choose to be kind, or generous or helpful in whatever way, rather than just allowing life to happen to us.

What meaning could I possibly have when I am alone in a room and drinking myself into oblivion? It can surely only be some deeper, mysterious calling or whisper that reminds me that I do have a part to play in this world’s happenings. A thread of hope. A soul-felt reminder of the importance of life, and that somehow, just somehow, things will get better and the meaning of it all or some of it will become clearer.

What gives your life meaning? 

My next two blog posts will deal with Purpose and Action part of MAP, so please do visit soon.

Regards, Rex
Source: A SANE MAP - My Journey in Recovery from Addiction.
Click to get my new book: "Last Round. Cheers! From Alcoholic Insanity to Hope. A True Story."