I‘ve been on a longtime quest to understand my Soul’s Purpose.
When I was a child, I wanted to be a writer. My parents didn’t think I’d be able to make much money that way, so I dismissed it (never a good idea).
When we ran through the various careers and how much they might pay (at that time), I decided that being an architect was a creative career that I would enjoy and that would pay well — $40,000 per year was what I was aiming for.
Ultimately I graduated with two master’s degrees in city planning and landscape architecture, but I found that the constant deadlines, client coordination, meetings, e-mail, plan writing, and marketing of the job simply didn’t suit my sensitive nature — or my creativity, for that matter.
I knew it wasn’t working, but I didn’t know what would.
My quest to discover my Soul’s Purpose continued.
I took classes, went to career counselors, and read books.
I equated Purpose with career — thinking that I would discover a specific, precise career that would be my Purpose.
I made a choice to between teaching/helping/counseling fields and applied creativity fields, which is what led me to where I am today as a life coach. Along the way, I discovered my Purpose.
My Purpose is to be a leader, guide, and mentor. I’ve known that for some time. I didn’t understand until recently that I am a mentor to leaders and visionaries, as well as a family and community leader, which I discovered through a powerful hand analysis session (I fell so in love with this tool that I’ve recently trained in it myself). My specific Purpose: “Big Shot Mentor plus Family/Community Matriarch.”
I also learned that I was put here to master and to teach the practices of Inner Knowing and Creativity — my Soul’s Lesson. Who knew? 
Here are five tips to keep in mind as you find your own Purpose and Lesson:
1. Purpose and career are connected, but your Purpose is the larger over-arching What and Why behind the implementation of your profession. There are many ways to live your specific Purpose.
2. When selecting your Authentic Work or defining your niche, refine your understanding of your Purpose by looking at your Life Lesson, gifts, and passions to hone in on the specifics.
3. Your Lesson is a recurring theme in your life — if you look at the pattern of your challenges, what do you see? A hand analyst can identify your Lesson (and your Purpose) from your fingerprints.
4. You teach what you were put here to learn — your Lesson guides the specific implementation of your Purpose.
5. Get help from a mentor if you need it. We are often so blind to our own struggles and confusion that we can’t see what we aren’t seeing about ourselves.
Without Purpose, We Are Lost
If you’re off wandering alone in the dark of confusion and uncertainty, let your Purpose be the light that illuminates your path home. So often we try to find the “right” career, without ever knowing or understanding our deeper Purpose — our very reason for being.
Tapping your Purpose is what creates satisfaction within; it evokes a deep sense of inner rightness that is unattainable elsewhere. Don’t discount the importance of knowing deeply who you are and what you were put here to do when it comes to making the decisions that shape your life.
What’s Jenna doing?
~> December 8th and 9th. Doing private hand analysis readings.
~> November 5th through December 14th. Wrapping up her course, “Six Steps to Take You from Struggling to Thriving as a Sensitive Soul in this Not-So-Sensitive World.”
~> Tuesday, December 15th. Holding the monthly Laser Coaching Call-In Hours for her Mastery Circle members.
~> December 16th through January 6th. Vacationing at home for the holidays.
~> December 28th and 29th. At a private retreat with her platinum coach Helen Graves.
~> January 7th through January 9th. Attending a platinum mastermind retreat with her platinum coach Bria Simpson.
~> Early February. Jenna will be leading a Virtual Workshop called “5 Steps to Get You Back On Track With What You Were Put Here To Do.” Watch this space for more details.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
After degrees and careers as mechanical engineer, industrial copywriter, clinical psychologist, I’ve been retired 15 years; write/recite poetry, create sculpture, mobiles and collages, dance all the ballroom steps, volunteer in several causes. At 83, I’m mostly fit, still single, reasonably-content, yearning for more happy moments in love, service, spiritual satisfaction. With a suitable female partner.
Hello Beacon
#4 has got to be the smartest thing I’ve read in a long time. It rings all the bells of my soul as only Truth can do. Thank you, for all that you do and are, Jenna. XOXO
Jay, best of luck to you!
Erika, I’m so glad!
Hugs, Jenna
Dear Jenna
Thank you for the article. As usual, at the right time. I have started this year in being on the track.It feels scary and exciting at the same time. It feels as well that I am like a little child trusting the and that has taken mine and is taking me forward. At times I really dont know what’s going on and at that point (like a child, but with my hand still in there) I pull back. If I was really honest it is to be with children, mentoring them learning life lessons of the soul and to be a watcher-over of other souls to help them through their ‘dark nights’ – a companion. My friends see me as a pied piper figure with children. I am in grace when I am with them So, now I am in the educational field. My life lesson(s)? To learn and maintain day to day living as that’s a continuous gap I have to fill which I notice other people find easy to do and sneer at my struggle to deal with it. When I look at that as a gift, I see that I have more compassion for those who struggle with it (children and young people) and can teach/share it.
So, that’s my response
Mabel
Jenna,
Where do we find a hand analyst?
Also, I find it difficult to move from the big ideas of life purpose down to — okay — what does that actually mean in practical terms? I’m a big idea person, but have a hard time knowing what to do in the physical world and understanding how to translate those ideas into something meaningful in 3D reality.
thanks!
sarah
Mabel, Awesome — it sounds like you have some wonderful ideas and self-knowledge guiding your purpose.
Sarah, I have just started doing hand analysis readings. If you’re interested in finding out more, you can email me for more details. And yes, moving down from the big idea into the practical terms is a process, especially for those of us who are big picture thinkers (I am too), but it is totally doable. It takes creativity, brainstorming, and staying out of fear/doubt as much as possible. Working with a coach or mentor is good too — I help people translate from the Big Vision to the practical reality through my mentoring programs.
Jenna, I just learned I am a highly sensitive person and recently was with a small group of people in a private home. The longer I was there the more sick I became. I came home and had a huge headache, nausea and was in a grumpy mood. I’m wondering if highly sensitive people take on feelings from a room or can take on the feelings of others. I have had similar experiences, but have written them off.
Linda, yes, this is absolutely possible (and common). ~ Jenna
Hi a friend of mind emailed me a list of sights on this topic. Today is my birthday and the information i’ve absorbed tonight is the most fruitful i’ve ever received in my life. This article was so refreshing to me. Finally someone who has experienced what I am going through now. Thank you
…Do you mind of i quote you on Facebook? “You teach what you were put here to learn”- Jenna Avery
Aja, I’m so glad! Happy birthday. I’m glad you enjoyed the article, and you can absolutely quote me on Facebook. And you can find me and friend me there, too! Warmly, Jenna
Dear Jenna,this is AWESOME .While searching for a 3D Artist called ‘SensitiveSoul’ Your Website came up. (I thought? what has this got to do with my search )? Until i started reading. The words i’ve found here, have touched my very soul, these words help me understand why i feel the way i feel in my life right now ; lost, confused Though i am working with a Life Coach at the moment, and he seems to be good, i still felt confused and stuck until stumbling on your website; it’s like Wham ! It feels like you are the one who’s been listening to me .I have always felt that i was searching for something but did’nt know what.I now know what i have been searching for
-My life Purpose -
It seems like a hand analyst will be a big help .Could you please tell me where to find one. Thank you Jenna for these words.
Valery,
I LOVE that you found me so fortuitously. The Universe works so brilliantly, doesn’t it?
I’m doing hand analysis and I would love to work with you. You can check out the details, here: http://www.highlysensitivesouls.com/handwithjenna.htm.
Warmly,
Jenna
i’m glad i came across your site as i’m struggling through such a difficult time, i’m a victim of childhood emotional, sexual and verbal abuse.. which resulted in many issues including an incurable disease which has caused severe hair loss damaging my already low self esteem.. i can’t figure out for the life of me what my soul’s purpose is.. maybe to be a healer? or to just live in the moment.. to manifest? it’s just really difficult.. any ideas what it could be?
RT, very often we teach what we are here to learn — and given what you’ve shared I wouldn’t be surprised if you are meant to be a healer. I’d be happy to do a life purpose session with you if you’re interested. You can read more here:
http://www.LifePurposeBreakthrough.com