Sometimes, we struggle to see our own purpose because we are too close to it. It’s like living inside a picture frame—while others can step back and see the full image, we are surrounded by the details, unable to see the whole composition. We wonder if we have any purpose at all, not realizing that just because we cannot see it does not mean it isn’t there.
A tree does not consume its own fruit. It simply grows, stretches toward the sky, and bears what it was meant to bear. Others come to pick from its branches, enjoy the nourishment of its fruit, or take shelter in its shade. The tree does not question its purpose, nor does it need to see the direct impact of what it provides. It just exists, and in doing so, it serves.
The Illusion of Purpose as Something We Consume
One of the greatest lies we have been conditioned to believe is that purpose is something we should be able to experience for ourselves in a direct, tangible way. That if we are not reaping obvious rewards from our efforts, then we must not be doing anything meaningful. But purpose is not always something we consume—it is something we give. It is the way our existence ripples into the lives of others, whether we realize it or not.
We might feel lost, convinced that we are aimlessly moving through life without direction, when in reality, the impact of our presence is being felt in ways we cannot see. The kindness we show, the words we speak, the way we make others laugh, the way make others feel, the way we carry ourselves, our presence—these things shape the world around us. Just because we are not always aware of how we affect others does not mean our existence is without meaning.
Purpose Is More Than a Career
So often, we tie purpose to what we do rather than who we are. We are taught that our worth is measured by our productivity, that purpose must be some grand mission, a title, a career, a legacy that can be clearly defined and measured. And yet, purpose is much more than the work we do. It is also found in the being—the way we show up in the world, the way we hold space for others, the energy we bring into a room.
Some of the most impactful people in our lives are not necessarily those with the most impressive achievements but those whose presence made us feel seen, safe, or understood. We remember the people who made us laugh, who comforted us in times of pain, who simply existed in a way that reminded us of something true and good. That is purpose, too.
Recognizing the Purpose in Our Being
When we let go of the idea that we must see the impact of our purpose in order for it to exist, we free ourselves from the pressure of constantly searching for it. Instead of asking, “What is my purpose?” we can begin to trust that it is already unfolding through us.
We don’t have to force it. We don’t have to have all the answers. We simply have to live in alignment with who we truly are. To follow what lights us up, to embrace our natural strengths and inclinations, to be present in the moments that call to us. Purpose is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it is woven into the smallest acts—the way we listen, the way we love, the way we exist as ourselves without apology.
The fruit we bear is not always for us to consume. The impact of our presence is not always something we will fully grasp. But that does not mean it isn’t real. It is happening, right now, whether we see it or not. And when we trust that, we stop searching for purpose and start living it.
