Let’s face it, we all need a reason to get out of bed in the morning. As humans, we aren’t meant to merely trudge through life, living paycheck to paycheck or just accumulating more meaningless stuff. At some point, for many people, a “chasing the carrot” existence is no longer enough. We may yearn for a more meaningful way of life, a passion, or purpose that makes our heart sing, or beat a little stronger. Finding our purpose can provide us with a powerful motivation to rise in the morning with excited anticipation and maybe even joy.

Far too many individuals go through their entire lives without pursuing their true purpose or passion. Finding one’s purpose—a meaningful life—need not be a rarely attained luxury. In fact, living a meaningful life has even been linked to improved health and lowered stress, as well as improved well-being.

Would You Go to Extremes for Your Purpose?

Like most of you, I like a cozy, comfortable life, which I’ve experienced for much of my life—all the usual things we’ve come to expect in a North American lifestyle. Even with a career, though, I came to a point at which I still felt like there was an important key aspect that was missing.

Deep in my soul, I felt there was more that I was supposed to be accomplishing to help people, animals, the planet, or all of the above. That’s when my husband and I packed up our lives and moved abroad.

While at times, making a dramatic change can propel you into journeying into the inner stirrings of your heart, you probably don’t need to make such an extreme change in your life to fulfill your purpose. Your purpose may even be right under your nose.

Zeroing In On Your Heart’s Longings

What does your heart long for? Maybe you’ve been feeling an inner nudge that it’s time for a change, but didn’t know where to start. Perhaps it’s time to sit down with a pen, paper, or laptop and an open mind to dive deeply into your inner yearnings for meaning in your life.

When One Door Closes, Another Opens

Often the true fulfillment for which we’ve been searching occurs when a job ends, or another dramatic life change occurs. This may encourage us to rethink our current situation and consider whether it’s really fulfilling our deepest desires. Or maybe it’s just that dull ache inside that whispers, “I’m meant to do more.” Perhaps this is your soul calling out to you, longing for meaningful activity. Meaningful activity itself is associated with important basic psychological needs, including autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which we all need.

It’s Never Too Late

At 48, my close friend has recently decided to pursue law school to move forward on her dream of becoming an environmental lawyer. While it has long been believed that adult brain function peaks at around age 25, recent studies have exploded that myth. In one study, University of Cambridge researchers found that our personality and cognitive function stabilize or even grow from our early 30s through our late 60s. Through a process called neuroplasticity, neurons can even carve out new pathways to fire in ways that haven’t been used previously, especially if we maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Thus, being a mature, middle-aged, or even senior adult is no reason to forgo one’s dream of a meaningful life. In fact, as we accumulate additional life experience, it adds to the richness of our lives and assists us in narrowing down our true heart’s desires. Leading a meaningful life and having social support have also been associated with a higher degree of happiness, including among older adults.

The Soul-Searching Begins: “Life Crafting”

So, if this resonates, find a quiet time and place to search your mind and heart for your soul-stirrings. There’s even a technique called Life Crafting that may help you with the process of finding and pursuing your life purpose. Maybe it’s a secret talent you’ve been hiding or perhaps just a desire to make the world a better place. You are important, and this rapidly changing planet needs you. I’m confident you have your own special gift that you can share with others to help in a meaningful way. What better time than now to pursue your life’s purpose?

I believe in you.