Did you do that on purpose?

Embrace the power held within.

Everything in life has a purpose.

School, which most likely was hated by most of us.

The grades our parents put us under so much pressure to get did or most likely did not affect where we are in the world to this day.

All of it had a purpose.

All the lessons we learned in those years and the relationships we developed led us to how we see the world today.

From that early apprenticeship to your present place of work, the jobs we have been in, that summer job when you had so much money you couldn't keep up with the list of things you planned to buy. The ones you hated, maybe you are in one right now. What is its purpose?

All the retail stores, bar work, local shops, deli counters, and restaurants have all had a purpose of getting us to where we are right now.

Even that horrific break-up. The one that tore you up inside.

Now, trying to console that friend or "cheer them up" and saying there is a lesson in this, you will look back and laugh (we have all heard it and most probably said it too).

Most probably will NOT be met with a response such as "why thank you for those wise words, you are so right."

But in time, on reflection and after doing some inner work, we all look back on these sad times and realize that very moment has made us the person we are today.

We ourselves have been a purpose to someone in our lives.

What type of purpose to others is our choice each day?

Do we help people grow?

Be that bright spark that makes someone's day?

Inspire someone to be a better person or to take a leap of faith?

Be so honest with others, and make decisions for the better good, even if it means upsetting them?

That "someone" needs to be YOU before anyone else.

Lose the idea that putting yourself first is selfish.

Practice what we preach, treat ourselves the way we wish to be treated by others and have that self-worth to know what YOU deserve.

Of course, it is harder to look at things that have hurt us during that grieving period and see it as a lesson.

Those friends you thought were your friends, and their purpose was to help you discover the type of people you want to surround yourself with, to allow you to be the best version of yourself.

With that comes some uncomfortable times and decisions.

And these are not easy, and these take time.

But what's also important is finding the things that give you a purpose, the things that make you smile, laugh, and get out of bed each morning.

Be it a sea swim, a walk in the park, listening to a podcast, meditating, yoga or hiking, or maybe doing some charity work? Find those things and do them repeatedly, for we are the only ones who have the power to make our happiness a daily thing.

We have the power to help make those around us happy and support them, inspire and encourage others to do the same.

Be the best version of yourself and do that on PURPOSE.