Clarity and Purpose
When I hear the words 'clarity' and 'purpose,' I immediately enter a state of profound focus. These two small yet powerful words awaken my consciousness to a state of alertness because what follows them is likely to be profound and a perfect opportunity to learn something new. We must always be open to learning; we must remain in a state of growth, for without growth, we will soon wither away into complacency and mediocrity. Yes, these two words are near and dear to my life. I have only recently begun to understand and appreciate the level of consciousness associated with them.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines clarity as “the quality of being clear, such as the quality of being easily understood.” The Cambridge Dictionary also supports this narrative of being clear and easily understood. For the word purpose, both dictionaries state, “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” The definition of purpose is largely accurate and carries significant weight; however, the definitions for clarity sound a bit superficial and incomplete. I know there is much more to the concept. Yes, being clear is one aspect of clarity, but clarity does not stand alone; it does not emerge simply because a person has stumbled upon it. Clarity is seeing, which involves perceiving with the mind and subconscious, not just the eyes. It does not rely on the carnal mind or the senses that bring us joy and physical pleasure. It goes far beyond that; it is about a person deeply understanding who they are, where they are going, and why. Yes, clarity is inextricably linked to purpose. Without purpose, true clarity cannot exist; however, if you believe you have clarity but lack purpose, you are mistaken.
I know what you are thinking as you read this: “I didn’t know my true purpose in life, but I was clear on my intentions in life.” That may be true, but I’m here to tell you that without your true purpose in life, you lack clarity. I do not say this to cause frustration or create drama for my readers; I say it because I have experienced it. Looking back on my life, I recall times when I was lost and didn’t even realize it at the time. I thought I knew what I wanted to do; I had a sense of clarity that I believed was genuine: travel the world, party, and visit as many restaurants and famous landmarks as possible.
I felt complete when I did all that. I thought I was made for traveling and partying, feeling invincible and certain of who I was. One could argue that we experience stages of perceived clarity throughout our lives—engaging in activities and investing in ideas that we now look back on and think, “What was I thinking?” Is it a matter of maturity? Are we all grown up now, or have we truly discovered who we are and what our purpose is? It’s a combination, to say the least. We have matured, gaining more knowledge and experience to make better decisions and contemplate life on a higher level. This culminates in discovering who we truly are and what we are meant to be. Sometimes, individuals experience a moment of clarity when they endure major life events, illnesses, the loss of loved ones, or when they become parents. They become intensely focused on what is truly important in their lives. They begin to forgive old grudges, mending relationships as they are freed from selfishness and the seemingly small yet powerful philosophical systems that have kept them captive in their state of perceived clarity.
Yes, having kids was one of the things that changed me; I lost a significant amount of my selfishness and devoted myself entirely to my son during that time. He was my whole world. I was focused, determined, and knew exactly what I needed to do in life. I wasn’t worried about the “what if”; I knew I was where I needed to be. Being a father and a husband helped clarify my purpose, and my decision to give my life back to God solidified that alignment. Something greater than me, something that required faith, love, patience, resilience, obedience, and sacrifice, was tugging at my heartstrings. Another part of discovering my purpose was reflecting on my struggles in the military. My mentor always reminds me that “no man is an island.”
My journey with my mentors taught me that giving back to others was one of my callings. I was changed by the sheer amount of time, love, attention, and mentorship that was poured into me by those around me. A new level of selflessness was introduced into my world, and I was better for it. I now felt the duty to repay this tenfold, to give back to others just as it was given to me. And to my astonishment, the newfound duty of giving back brought a fantastic sense of purpose and clarity. Seeing the light come on in the darkness for so many people was life-changing. It not only changed those I came into contact with, but it also changed my life. It made me appreciate people more and created in me a sense of abiding by the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
I have recommitted my life to giving back to others, just as they have given to me and filled my cup. I was a lost young man, doing whatever I wanted and following friends who constantly exerted peer pressure. However, mentors and leaders provided the attention and direction I needed. Though I didn't want it at all, my mentors remained consistent in their pursuit of helping me become a man, discover my purpose in life, and experience the clarity it can offer. Simply knowing who you are and what your purpose is in this world is not enough to keep you on the path of clarity and purpose. I figured out who I was and what my purpose was early on, but I lacked the strength to stay on track.
Mentors, friends, and family, the people we surround ourselves with, are essential. Knowing who we are and living up to our purpose depend heavily on the company we keep and the friends we associate with. Have you ever noticed that you act differently around one group of friends than another? It may be subtle changes, but I noticed this whenever I hung out with my younger military friends from work; my cursing reached another level. However, when I was with more senior and seasoned military members, I talked less, listened more, and certainly did not curse as often. Are your friends influencing your bad habits? Are they pressuring you into doing things that you are working hard to overcome? Are they oblivious to your goals and aspirations? If so, it may be time to change your circle of friends.
To grow and seek clarity and purpose, we must be surrounded by fountains, not drains, as my mentor Jim Rohn once said. People can distract you from achieving clarity while instilling a false sense of purpose. Choose your company wisely; select those who will recognize your potential and encourage you to step out of your comfort zone toward success. Choose those who are also on a path of success and continuous improvement. Seek out those who inspire you to look within for clarity and select those who live their lives with purposeful action, thriving rather than merely surviving. After choosing those who can help nourish your life and promote growth, be prepared for those you left behind to call you names and guilt-trip you. Remain steadfast and strong in your decision; seeking purpose and clarity is never easy, and maintaining it certainly isn't easy.
The world is filled with numerous distractions, and we can find ourselves straying from our purpose and clarity in pursuit of superficial pleasures. We may wander into darkness without even realizing it because the carnal mind seeks pleasure and excitement. Be intentional about your decisions, engage in self-reflection, and ensure that you are making the right choices. Weigh each action against your principles, and ask yourself the difficult question: Why am I doing this? Is this leading me to purpose and clarity? Am I on a trajectory to reach and exceed my life goals, or is this just a fleeting moment? Yes, we may sometimes lose our way, but we must remain steadfast and confident in who we are and what we are meant to be. We must have faith and always remember that nothing worthwhile is easy, especially when it comes to goodness; it's never easy. However, it is invaluable to our purpose and clarity!
By,
Coach Terrence Pinnock
Your Mission Coaching