I remember when my Grandma was diagnosed with bone cancer.  She was traveling back to New Jersey to prepare for treatment with family and friends around her.

le: inherit; font-size: 100%; font-family: inherit">  I was so happy to see her and to spend time chatting with her about her life.  Sitting with Grandma in her time of passing, she began to share her life.  I quickly realized that she had many regrets.

A year later, my Aunt (“Auntie” we called her) was terminally ill lying in her hospital bed.  Auntie was deep in thought, and I asked her, “What are you thinking about?” She said with a hollow breath, “I wish I would have danced more in life instead of being so serious!”  Once again I realized that she too had regrets.

These two situations stirred a passion in me to pursue a life without any regrets, and to motivate others to do the same.  Sitting
in church one Sunday, I noticed in the bulletin that a young woman died
of cancer at the age of 35, leaving behind two children (ages 2 and 4).  I began to ask the question, “Did she have any regrets, and did she know her purpose for the time that she was here?  How did she live her life?” These questions rang through my head.  Being
that I’m getting ready to turn 35 like her, made me ponder the big
question – this time reflecting on myself, “Am I living with no
regrets?”    When I went home and began to think more and more on the subject, my heart began to ache.  If I died today, did I do all I could to inspire those around me and those that I don’t know to pursue a life with no regrets.

Did I do everything I could to help people see that from the very beginning that God created a purpose and plan for our life?  In the case of my grandmother, her purpose was to give birth to her children and to be a mom.  In my Auntie’s case, her purpose was to be a huge support for her family.  For the young woman, her purpose was to give birth to two beautiful children and to love her husband.  Three
women when faced with death all had a purpose for their lives – two not
knowing clearly their purpose, and one operating fully in it.  The
older woman lived life half living, while the younger lived full and
understood her purpose as a mom, which was evident in her involvement
with MOPS (mothers of preschoolers).  My heart skipped a beat because at that moment in reflecting on their lives, I found mine!  At that same moment, I understood my purpose!  It was to inspire women to live with no regrets by pursuing their purpose.  When I speak of purpose, it can be in the form of vocation, home ministry or answering a call to end social issues.  Purpose comes in many shapes and forms. 

Reflection questions that I have asked myself to discover purpose:

 1.    What did I dream of doing when I was a little girl?

 2.    Am I doing it?  Is it fulfilling?

 3.    If I didn’t pursue it, why did I let it go?

 4.    Am I living a regret state of  “what ifs”  -- asking myself "what if I
would have pursued my dream, where would I be today?”

 5.    What
do I have a passion for – meaning what social issue or event do I connect with emotionally?

 6.    What drives/motivates me to succeed?

Once I answered all of these questions and reflected on them for a couple of days. Then I did some research to see what social issue I could advocate or what career area I could pursue to become fulfilled.  Once I understood what it was – then I pursued it.

If you are having trouble answering these questions or trying to narrow it
down – or don’t know how to pursue your purpose-- or have resources to help others-- or life experience to add- PLEASE BLOG HERE.