“There is a fire inside. Sit down beside it. Watch the flames, the ancient, flickering dance of yourself.” —John MacEnulty

A friend and I went to see the movie “The Soloist” over the weekend. It’s the story of an L.A. Times reporter who befriends a mentally ill homeless man who has a gift for classical music. The reporter embarks on a quest to learn about this man who went from being a musical prodigy to ending up on the streets of L.A. If you haven’t seen the movie or read the book or if you ever wonder about your own life purpose or how to express or fulfill it, then this movie just might inspire you or lead you in the direction of your answer.

In the meantime, consider that your journey may not be about FINDING your life purpose but more about living your way into it. Consider that your life purpose has been right there all along and it’s rooted in what you are naturally gifted at and passionate about.

It’s a funny thing about your life purpose. Even when you don’t consciously know what it is, it can be present in your speaking. For example, what I hear in the way Mr. Ayers talks about his music is that his life purpose could be something like “To Schizophrenically fill the Skies of L.A. with Symphony”. Who’s to say? Thinking about his possible life purpose that way delights me, makes me laugh and inspires me.

What is clear is his passion for music. He played his music no matter what was going on inside, and a reporter heard something that compelled him to find the man who made the music and reach out to him.

A synergy emerged between the player of the music and the ears that heard and responded. That synergy turned out to be bigger and reach further than either of them could possibly have known. A lost musician found a friend and later, he found a community. A lost reporter found a cause. Could either of them have imagined how far and wide the ripples would flow from a single chance encounter?

What does this have to do with you and finding the Encore Career that lights you up? Here’s what I think. Just as the mental confusion felt by Mr. Ayers disappears when he’s playing his music, your own mental confusion disappears when you are engaged in doing what you are meant to be doing.

How does that happen for you? What brings you into the moment where you stop thinking about the economy, pandemics, global warming, the rent, or anything other than what you are doing? What makes you feel energized and vital? Is it gardening, cooking, flying an ultralight airplane, sky diving, playing with your kids, or is it a combination of things? Believe it or not, your life purpose and your encore career will be found in those things that make you feel fully alive and awake.

You may or may not find your primary income. What you may find is fulfilling volunteer work, part time work, fun weekend or summer gigs or other seasonal work, or an internet business. At the very least, you will be led to a fuller and richer experience of who you truly are. And you never know. Inspiring work that emerges from your passion and pays you delightfully well is always a possibility.

If you are reading this, then I believe you are at least curious about what could be possible for you. Being curious is a great way to start down the road to discovering your encore career. Allow yourself to dwell in curiosity without trying to force an answer. You might surprise yourself with what shows up.

Below is a video about the real Mr Lopez and Mr Ayers portrayed in The Soloist. As you watch it and think about what you are seeing, consider that no matter where you are in your life or whatever circumstances you are facing, anything is possible as long as you don’t give up and you stay true to yourself. With a little bit of curiosity, you may even find yourself living into your life purpose.

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Ready to discover how you can create an encore career that aligns with your life purpose? Contact Coach Sue today at 949-212-4345 or sue@threesquarescoaching.com and learn about our Fresh Start Coaching Program.