Looking for a higher purpose is almost antithetical to the goal of a higher purpose. It is like looking for something to come find you when it has already been there all along for you to discover. Most of us walk around not understanding or knowing we have more to live for than what we are doing in the moment. If you are doing what gives you life and breath right now, meeting goals, and finding purpose, then you are on the right path. For the rest of us, it is often more difficult to focus attention on what it means to seek a higher purpose and how to know what to do when we find it.
Self Reflection
A person who is introspective looks deep within themselves to understand how they got where they are and where they are going. When you look in the mirror, you see yourself reflected. That means nothing other than you see yourself as others might see you, but only on the surface. Introspection is kind of like that in that it only goes to a certain level, then stops. It can drive the ego to think you really have been doing deeper, harder work than you have actually done. There is less learning going on than you realize. Self reflection, on the other hand, is about looking in so you have a more broad perspective. You become a more authentic person when you know more about your true identity.
Addiction Recovery
When you are in recovery from addiction, you will do a lot of therapeutic work early on. This may be an ongoing process for many months or even years. The challenge is that you will seek personal truths, deeper understanding, and hope for the future with an understanding that you are the only person who can uncover your own truths. The point is that everyone has an internal mirror that reflects how we see ourselves. What you see determines your behavior. These distortions can keep you from honest self-reflection. If you spend too much energy on being someone others want, you end up feeling worried, anxious, stressed, and overcome with guilt when you cannot meet their expectations. Releasing that helps you see yourself for who you are and what you can offer to others. This is part of the healing journey of recovery.
Get to Know Yourself
The first thing you can do to get to find your purpose is to learn more about yourself and how you work. You can begin by asking yourself some simple questions. These include:
- What goals and values you find true for you
- What you want to do with your life in recovery now
- What things did you leave behind when you are addicted you want to pick up again (music, art, hobbies, etc)
- Letting go of what is not helping you move forward (people, places, things)
When you begin by asking yourself these questions, you start to think more about how you can uncover who you really are underneath the word recovery. You are not simply someone in recovery, you are a person with skin and bones, goals, and a purpose. Once you begin to answer some of these questions, you can start unraveling who that person is underneath it all and begin to discover yourself, possibly for the first time.
We will help you find your true purpose in life after recovery. Oceanfront is a safe space to be vulnerable and seek the harder questions about who we want to be in recovery from addiction. Our therapists and treatment professionals help you navigate rehab and aftercare services for long term healing. Call us to find out how we can help you navigate addiction recovery: 877-279-1777
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