At times I will write a post and not finish it and leave it alone until a later date. This post I wrote almost a year ago, but because of changes in my life it seemed no longer relevant. Lives can change dramatically in a short period of time and along with the changes so too can our thinking, our believes and attitudes.
A year ago, I had a minor surgery to remove a tumor from my bladder. At that time, it seemed harmless and nothing significant would come from it. I was wrong and this past year’s events I never imagined would take place.
The following words I wrote almost a year ago, when my life was healthier and I was looking forward to a future filled with adventure and fun –
Many times I have asked myself ‘What is my purpose in life?’

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If you have been reading about me for quite a while, you know about my early struggles in life with major depression to the point of attempted suicide. It took over a decade to overcome this depression that wanted to kill me. My purpose at that time was to overcome it and that I did.
I continue with struggles today, but certainly not to the extent when I was a much younger man – but I am far from perfect and not the man I want to be – I still struggle – I am a work in progress.
Again today I ask the question ‘What is my purpose in life?’
A little more than a year ago, Gary and I were in Mexico exploring a possible location to live. While there an event took place that upon our return home, I documented.
These are the words I documented –
How can I be responsible for supporting and helping someone when I have my own struggles? Several weeks ago in Mexico, Gary and I were with expats. I watched Gary as he told a story – and I see his mannerisms, his facial expressions and the words he used to tell the story – I saw his mom. It reminded me that maybe he will be like his mom, telling the same old stories, having the same struggles every day. He may exhibit the same emotions his mom goes through – anger, frustration, nice, rude, impatient, not understanding. It has been difficult for me spending time with his mom due to my lack of patience. I have learned some patience as a result of being around her and that is a good thing. I have more to learn, I want to be there for Gary, I want to be caring, compassionate and understanding. These are areas I fall short in, but feel I can I gain more of these traits. Maybe this is my purpose in life to learn these traits: understanding, listening and being there for Gary. I believe my life is about struggling and learning and being the best person I can be.
Gary’s mom has dementia and she struggles daily and sometimes I see her personality in Gary.
Back to today, both Gary and my life has changed a great deal this past year. I no longer think about what my purpose is in life. I do believe part of Gary’s purpose may be to help me during my difficult time. And who knows, maybe someday when I am better it will be my turn to help Gary during his difficult time.
You have great purpose! And you are carrying it out every day! ❤
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Thank you Jodi for your very nice comment. 🙂
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That is really what it’s all about
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Yes, I agree – thank you Derrick.
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Such a year for you. We never know what life has in store for us, but we do the best with it as we can.
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I agree, thank you Sarah. I hope you are having a great Monday! 🙂
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I am, and I hope you are, too!
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A wonderful post Terry! You are surely living out your purpose and are a great inspiration!
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Aw, thank you very much Lynn – you are very kind. 🙂
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xxxx
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There is no crystal ball my friend 🙂 Just be you. Just be real to yourself. Be the best person you can be, and keep trying, as I know you always are. You are a human being, we cannot always be perfect, but that is okay, just keep trying.
Everyday you are living your life’s purpose. Just be you, 🙂 x
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That is a very good way to look at it – ‘Everyday you are living your life’s purpose.’ Thank you Lynne, I appreciate you very much. 🙂
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You are welcome 🙂
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Great 👍 words and please keep up your good work.
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Thank you very much for your kind comment and for stopping by today to read. Have a great day. 🙂
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Thanks and welcome dear, happy day to you.
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So very well said. 🙂
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Thank you Victo! Hope your Monday is wonderful! 🙂
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It’s funny how life, and our perspective on it, can change so quickly. I think you both are living your purpose. 🙂
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I am thinking that also Lorrie and you are right, our perspectives can change very quickly. Thanks for reading and commenting – have a great day. 🙂
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Your posts provide great motivation for many people who, fortunately, have not had to suffer and struggle like you, nor support and care for someone the way Gary does now. If this isn’t your purpose in life, I don’t know what is!
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I would agree Dolly, I use to look for something I guess was tangible, but realize the everyday living and what we are doing today is our purpose. Thanks for your comment, I hope your Monday is wonderful. 🙂
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Thank you, and I hope you are making little, but steady steps towards your recovery!
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I link to a link to a link brought me here.
Off topic: Which are of Mexico were you looking at and what did you think? I’m strongly considering moving there but don’t know where to start. I had planned an exploratory trip, by car, to “Rocky Point” but was talked out of it for safety reasons (single, older, white, blonde, blue eyed, woman, in a nice car, with CA plates… all my immigrant coworkers said, “you’ll be robbed, by police, FOR SURE!” I could handle a loss of money but not feeling vulnerable.)
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That particular trip we were in the Yucatan Peninsula. We flew there and rented a car and drove around visiting different cities. We chose not to move because mainly of healthcare and decided to stay in the states.
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I have 2 issues: single female; I’m adamant about bringing my cats and I refuse to put them on planes.
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yeah man. what are we here for if not to help each other?
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Yes, I agree – thanks for stopping by today – I appreciate it very much! 🙂
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What a beautiful way to look at it! Have a happy week Terry!
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Thank you Paula, wishing you a happy week as well. 🙂
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Every human being is a work in progress and nobody is perfect. You are serving your purpose wonderfully, Terry… 🙂
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Thank you very much Maniparna, I appreciate your kind comment. Hope all is well with you. 🙂
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Your purpose is to get well and show others how to do the same with grace and commitment. Oh, yeah, and to collect virtual spoons.
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Oh, thank you Peggy for the very nice comment, I will do my best to live up to my purpose. And yes, I am collecting many of those virtual spoons. Thanks again, I always appreciate your comments. 🙂
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Such is life — and love. Just be you. ❤
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Very true – thanks Diane – hope you have a great day. 🙂
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I think by the comments that you indeed have a purpose in life, which may even change quite a few more times in the years to come. What I like about you Terry is your positive and healthy attitude towards life in general, even if it can be a struggle at times. XOXOXO
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Thank you Kathryn, many times I sell myself short in that I felt I needed to have a purpose that was significant. I am realizing each day, me being the best I can be and I as you indicate my positive and healthy attitude is a purpose in its self. Thanks for your comments, I truly appreciate them. Happy Tuesday. 🙂
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I like your article, very inspiring and thank you for your post
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You are welcome, thank you for stopping by to read and comment. I hope you have a happy day. 🙂
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Wow that was a question I asked myself for many, many years…I believe the first time the thought crossed my crazy mind was back in grade school…I just couldn’t get a handle on why, and what for I was put on this earth…..I still have many questions to my existence….???? I have been able to let that question slide to the side of my mind finally, I believe now that I will know the whys and how comes one day….I can look back across my life and see if not for me, my beautiful children would not be walking on this earth, and if not for me, old men and women I cared for over the years would not have touched my life and made me a better person and I would of not been there for them in there last days, to hold there hands and be present in there life’s…such a hard question, and to think as young children it was on of the most asked….what are you going to be when you grow up? What do you want to do to add to society ??? I heard my self asking my children the same question that haunted me for years and quickly stopped…..my purpose in life is to be your friend and you mine…..be here for my husband and you for Gary….I could go on and on and on….but we really do have a purpose in life…..I believe that and I hope you do to…..dancing in the moon beams is one of my bigger purposes on life….LOL xxxxxkat
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I have yet to put totally on the side of my mind, the whole purpose thing, but I am learning from myself and others such as you that the purpose does not have to be one big thing, but just a series of smaller things as you indicated, being in other’s lives. Thanks for your words kat, you always inspire me. 🙂
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as you do me….xxx
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finding the purpose of life can be difficult, challenging and sometimes painful but as this post shown everything happen for a reason. Sometimes steal has to be hammer hundred of times to become a sword.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, I appreciate it very much. I hope you have a happy day. 🙂
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