Brave Thinking Institute

  • MainMenu
  • Call us at 800-914-6958
  • Life &
    Transformation
    • Home
    • Programs
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Our Faculty
    • Success Stories
  • Love &
    Relationships
    • Home
    • Programs
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Our Faculty
  • Business &
    Leadership
    • Home
    • Programs
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Our Faculty
  • Health &
    Well-Being
    • Home
    • Programs
    • Events & Retreats
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • TranscenDance Tribune
    • Our Faculty
  • Life Coach
    Certification
    • Home
    • Programs
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Our Faculty
    • Success Stories
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Event
    Calendar
  • Home
  • Programs
  • Events & Retreats
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Our Faculty
  • Success Stories
  • Log In

The Surprising Way Living with Purpose Can Help You Live Longer

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
By: Mary Morrissey
Updated: December 5, 2018

A Simple But Powerful Way to Inject More Purpose and Meaning Into Your Life Starting Today

There are many ways to add years to your life, like eating well and exercising…

But did you know that knowing and living with a sense of purpose in life can also help you live longer?

Gain clarity about your life’s purpose in just 10 minutes
Free Guided Meditation

Science Links Following Your Life’s Purpose with Long Life

In a study published by The Lancet, researchers surveyed 9,000 people over age sixty-five. They wanted to find out who felt their life had purpose and meaning, and who did not.

Then, participants were monitored over 8 years to determine if the presence or lack of a sense of purpose had an impact on their quality of life.

What the researchers discovered was that the people who didn’t feel like their life had purpose or meaning scored low in the areas of mental and emotional well-being. They also had higher levels of stress hormones, like cortisol, in their bodies over time.

As you may already know, stress hormones can negatively impact brain function, heart health, mental health, immune regulation, and so much more!

Those who said they didn’t feel a sense of purpose in their lives were more at risk of bodily distress and illness. As a result, they were not likely to live as long as others who felt more clear and directed in their lives.

Common Misconceptions About Living With Purpose

You may know what your purpose in life is. If that’s the case, it’s wonderful!

But if, like many people, you don’t know exactly what your unique purpose is, it can seem like a daunting question to answer. 

First, I want to free you from the pressure of having to identify your one, single purpose in this life. Instead, consider that a commitment to living purposefully and with intention can help you create a life of ongoing meaning and fulfillment. 

To help you do so, let’s dispel a few common myths about “life purpose”:

  • Your life purpose doesn’t have to be grandiose, or involve becoming famous or incredibly wealthy. It can be simple, straightforward, and even surprising. It’s all about what’s most important to you, right now.

  • There is no deadline on discovering your life purpose. You don’t have to know your purpose by a certain age or stage of life for it to be profoundly meaningful. It’s never too late to choose to live with purpose!

  • Your life purpose can change over time. As you grow, evolve, and discover more about yourself, the way you define your purpose will probably change! In fact, you can have many purposes over a lifetime, or even many manifestations of the same purpose.

Discovering your life purpose doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. Finding and honoring your purpose in life means regularly doing and being what gives you an exalting feeling of ALIVENESS. It doesn’t have to be any more complex than that.

do you feel alive survey paper

How to Live a More Meaningful Life: Your Purpose in Life Makes You Feel Alive

If you’re unclear on what your life purpose is right now, you can start by paying attention to what makes you feel happy, inspired, and energized.

Is there a particular hobby you have that fills you with inspiration and joy? Or perhaps you long to do something you haven’t done before, like write a book or learn to paint?

You may even feel a desire to make helping others your life purpose, just as I have!

One way to generate ideas for what you can do, or do more of, that makes you feel truly ALIVE is to ask yourself a simple but powerful question:

What would I love?

When you ask yourself this question, really allow yourself the freedom to entertain the thoughts that come to you. Challenge yourself to refrain from focusing on perceived limitations or the possible opinions and reactions of others. 

As you explore, you may even want to journal your ideas!

To help you identify the things you might love… 

Think about the physical signs of being in love – your heart beats faster and you feel super energized. You might lose track of time or feel particularly content. Perhaps you’re calmer or less reactive, more at peace and less stressed or anxious.

So when you focus your attention on what you would most love to be, do, have, or give…

Pay attention to how the ideas you generate make you feel. Do you immediately perk up and feel a greater sense of vitality? If so, explore those ideas further.

Asking yourself what you would love is an important step in discovering your life purpose. And in doing so, you can begin creating a life you truly love living.

It’s never too late to find your purpose in life

I’ve been coaching and mentoring others in how to apply transformational principles to their lives for over 40 years.

My mother, Dorothy Manin, had always been aware of my work. She’d always supported what I was doing, but she’d never really participated in the work I did.

Then, when he was 85 years old, my dad passed. They had been married for 63 wonderful years, and losing him was devastating for my mother. She felt lost, lonely, scared, and not sure of what direction to take next in her life.

One day she called me and she said,

“Okay, Mary, what is this dream-builder thing you do? Let me try it. I guess if I’m still breathing there’s something more for me to do in this life.”

Her choice marked the beginning of what would become the most creative years of my mother’s life.

Not only did she live seven more years, well into her 90s, but she thrived during that period. This is because she followed what she loved, and it gave her a sense of overwhelming aliveness!

RELATED: 15 Questions to Help You Discover Your Life Purpose

My mother learned to paint china plates. She gifted her beautiful creations to our entire family, and she even showcased her work in a few art galleries!

She also decided to become a published author and wrote a successful, inspiring book. She donated all of the proceeds to a non-profit she started that helped the wives of veterans.

You might choose something entirely different. You might even choose many things to experiment with. 

The point is, my mother stepped into living with purpose and doing so gave her a longer, more joy-filled life.

So you see, it’s never too late to do something more or different with your life!

Once you take the step and ask yourself what you would love, ideas will start to come to you!

Opportunities will present themselves to you in places they didn’t previously.

When you know what gives you life, you’ll feel more energetic and driven to make time for what is most important to you.

What is one thing you’ve done in your life that has helped you to find your purpose in life?

What gave you that feeling of ALIVENESS? Leave a comment and let me know!

Find Your True Calling in 5 Days

If you’ve ever wondered, “What is my purpose?”…

Or, the idea of living purposefully and exploring what you would love leaves your mind blank…

The “Developing the Mastery of Intention,” is a free 10-minute guided audio meditation that would be perfect for you!

Normally, you can only access this audio download inside my Power of Purpose™ meditation series, but right now, this meditation is my gift to you, absolutely FREE!

Power of Purpose Meditation Blog Banner

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

About Mary Morrissey

Mary Morrissey

Mary Morrissey is widely considered the world’s foremost expert on “dream-building,” having invested the last 40 years into studying the art and science of transforming dreams into results. Mary has also written two best-selling books, addressed the United Nations three times, co-convened three week-long meetings with His Holiness The Dalai Lama, and met with President Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Through her books, live events and programs, Mary has helped empower millions of people worldwide to achieve new heights of meaning, purpose, aliveness and authentic success.

Learn More About Mary Morrissey

Related Articles

Title image: Gratitude meditation script

A Powerful Gratitude Meditation Script To Transform Your Life

November 30, 2023

Title Image: 101 Daily Affirmations for Gratitude

101 Gratitude Affirmations | Daily Affirmations for Gratitude

November 23, 2023

Title Image:111 Journal Prompts for Money Mindset

111 Journal Prompts for Money Mindset | Money Mindset Shifts

November 9, 2023

Comments

  1. Liesl

    August 4, 2023 at 10:14 pm

    Mary, thank you for meaningful and re-assuring answers on the big issue of a purposeful life. Thank you for setting people free from experiencing a life purpose as a burden.
    I do career guidance for scholars and a parent said that I give so much towards the future of others and I am helping to build the next generation. That was a beautiful compliment that I treasure because I really find meaning in what I do for a career – how blessed!

    Reply
    • Brave Thinking Institute

      October 23, 2023 at 7:47 pm

      Thank you for doing the beuaitful work you do in the world, Liesl!

      Reply
  2. Rhoda Amapakabo

    August 3, 2023 at 5:21 pm

    Thank you so much Mary. My purpose in life is seeing people live through life’s challenges and overcome these challenges

    Reply
    • Brave Thinking Institute

      October 23, 2023 at 7:48 pm

      A beautiful and important purpose, Rhoda! Thank you for being here!

      Reply
  3. Kare Anderson

    April 6, 2021 at 4:50 pm

    My purpose is to spur others to adopt a mutuality mindset so I can attract more diverse allies to collectively see more sides of a situation and thus make smarter decisions faster. It is vital to become more specific since specificity in communication boosts credibility and memorability – that path led me to be a paid keynoter on connective behavior and quotability and attract over 2.5 million views to my TEDtalk on becoming an Opportunity Maker

    Reply
  4. Kare Anderson

    April 6, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    My purpose is to spur others to adopt a mutuality mindset so I can attract more diver allies to collectively see more sides of a situation and thus make smarter decisions faster.As it is vital to become more specific since specificity in communication boosts credibility and memorability – that path led me to be a paid keynoted on connective behavior and quotability and attract over 2.5 million views to my TEDtalk on becoming an Opportunity Maker

    Reply
  5. Houman

    January 4, 2019 at 10:17 am

    My purpose in life is making others happy. I have done lots of volunteer work for the home less. Now I feel the urge to help helping people in need . Weather for Seniors,to single women with disabilities,of all ages. If they need a ride,, Someone to bring food,or cook, to help around the house. Im have been Blessed with a Gift- tallent, with great abundance that’s full of life. I feel that planting Special seeds in those in need will grow to something special and giving will give us purpose in life? ? ?. Who knows I hope to find my soulmate and trib full of kids?‍?‍?‍?

    Reply
  6. Jane Ward

    December 7, 2018 at 5:56 am

    I have been blessed with a strong beautiful voice for singing. When I am singing it’s like the whole world around me is listening, even when I’m alone.
    I also would love to make people laugh by the way of stand up comedy and funny songs. I don’t know how or where to get these talents on the go.
    This is what I love.
    This is what makes me happy.
    Thank you for your inspirational messages and Hope that things will come together for my family.
    Janegirl

    Reply
  7. Shulamith Koenig

    December 6, 2018 at 5:34 pm

    I agree with you fully .
    My purpose is to have every human being alive to learn
    Know own and act upon human rights as away of life
    I have been doing it for the last 30 years for which I received The UN Human Rights Award same as Mandela and MLK.
    Who ever wants to
    Join this effort please write to me.

    Reply
  8. Pinnerr

    March 16, 2018 at 8:44 pm

    Thanks for those answer, that makes sense.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • A Powerful Gratitude Meditation Script To Transform Your Life

    A Powerful Gratitude Meditation Script To Transform Your Life

    November 30, 2023
  • 101 Gratitude Affirmations | Daily Affirmations for Gratitude

    101 Gratitude Affirmations | Daily Affirmations for Gratitude

    November 23, 2023
  • 111 Journal Prompts for Money Mindset | Money Mindset Shifts

    111 Journal Prompts for Money Mindset | Money Mindset Shifts

    November 9, 2023
  • How to Know Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes or Less

    How to Know Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes or Less

    October 26, 2023

CATEGORIES

  • Life & Transformation
  • Love & Relationships
  • Business & Leadership
  • Health & Well-Being
  • Life Coach Certification
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Find us on Twitter
  • Find us on Instagram
  • Find us on LinkedIn
  • Find us on YouTube

Topics of Interest

  • Life & Transformation
  • Love & Relationships
  • Business & Leadership
  • Health & Well-Being
  • Life Coach Certification

Learn More

  • Programs
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Meet The Faculty

More Support

  • Contact Us
  • Speaking Requests
  • Log In
  • Become an Affiliate
  • Careers

Our vision is to help you bring your biggest dream into reality. As stipulated by law, we cannot and do not make any guarantees about your ability to get results or earn any money with our ideas, information, tools or strategies. Your results are completely up to you, your level of awareness, expertise, the action you take and the service you provide to others. Any testimonials, financial numbers mentioned in emails or referenced on any of our web pages should not be considered exact, actual or as a promise of potential earnings – all numbers are illustrative only, as I’m sure you understand. That being said, we believe in you and we are here to support you in making the changes you want for your life and giving you methods, strategies, and ideas that will help move you in the direction of your dream.

Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

Life Coaching Programs and Coaching Certification by LifeSOULutions That Work®, LLC ©. All Rights Reserved.
31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy, #A-364, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

×
By providing your information you agree to allow Brave Thinking Institute to contact you via text. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply STOP to cancel. You also agree to the Company's Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.