How to Find Your Purpose: Embracing Happiness as the Key
January 16, 2025
Last night, my Grab driver in Bali asked me: “What’s your purpose?”
I froze. I was at a loss for words. How could I possibly sum up something so deeply personal and complex in a way that felt clear and true (especially since he barely spoke English)?
Awkwardly, I fumbled through my words, rambling on about wanting to help people break free from illusions, societal conditioning, and raise collective consciousness. Honestly, I’m not even sure what I said—it probably didn’t make much sense to him, lol.
And while those sentiments are genuinely close to my heart, the words felt forced—like I was trying too hard to sound important or profound.
It became clear to me that I have a lot of ideas about my purpose, but I didn’t know how to articulate them in a way that felt real or authentic.
I turned the question back to him: “What’s your purpose?”
“Happiness,” he said. Just that. Simple, beautiful, and straight to the point.
He further explained that when he’s happy, he’s less angry and kinder to others. That hit me straight in the heart and made me smile. Why couldn’t my purpose be that simple too? Why did I feel the need to make it sound so grand? Why did I feel the need to prove my worth—to myself and others?
After we parted ways, I couldn’t stop thinking about our conversation and ruminating on those questions. It stayed with me through the night, nudging me to reflect on my own beliefs about purpose. Somewhere along the way, I had adopted the idea that my purpose needed to be big and complex—a reflection of how much I could sacrifice or how selfless I could be. The bigger my purpose, the more worthy and special I’d feel.
So, during my morning Kundalini Yoga sadhana, I meditated on the essential question: What is my true purpose in this life?
I cleared my mind, and the answer came to me:
My purpose is to live a vibrant, healthy, and happy life.
In Kundalini Yoga, there’s a concept of beej mantras or “seed mantras.” These are simple, one-syllable sounds that hold the essence of something much greater. This purpose—vibrance, health, and happiness—feels like my seed mantra. It’s simple, yet within it lies infinite potential.
From this seed, everything else flows. From this seed, anything is possible.
So, what makes me happy? For years, I’ve been peeling back the layers of what I thought happiness looked like. I used to believe it was tied to external accomplishments—something outside of myself to gain. But after years of chasing achievements that left me unfulfilled, my priorities began to shift.
At my core, happiness comes from my love of learning, soaking in new information, and constantly seeking ways to unlock my potential. These passions don’t just fuel my happiness—they are the truest expression of it.
The byproduct of my love for learning, growing, and self-actualization naturally extends into helping others. It’s from this place of happiness that I can spread kindness and uplift others—whether through teaching Kundalini Yoga, my career, supporting my community, or simply being present with the people I love. The details don’t need to be defined because they are already held within the seed of my purpose and will naturally unfold.
This shift in intention feels freeing. My purpose doesn’t need to be lofty or complicated. It can be as simple and profound as choosing happiness.
So, to all of you searching for your purpose: Let this be your permission to let go of the pressure to make it “big.” Start with happiness. Let it guide you, and trust that the details will unfold in ways you can’t even imagine.
And for those who don’t yet know what makes them happy (like I didn’t), be curious. Explore what excites you and how your purpose might express itself in your life. Happiness is the seed of infinite, magical potential.
Sometimes, the simplest intentions are the most powerful.
With love and light 💫
Syd
