How a Pilates class taught me that purpose may be simpler than we think
On weaving meaning into ordinary, everyday things
There’s this idea that changing the world has to be revolutionary.
But often, the ways that we change the world aren’t grand or dramatic at all. They’re quieter. Smaller. Closer to us than we think.
How can you weave purpose and your essence into everything that you do?
Today I took a Pilates class, and the teacher wove mindfulness and education about Pilates into nearly every line that she spoke. She created a stress-free environment for us to come and just be for 45 minutes. She guided us through healing practices for both our body and mind, and you could feel the intention behind how she held the space.
I took the time to thank her afterward and let her know that her class impacted my day in a positive way. On my way out, I connected with one of my classmates and we laughed about how we always forget our locker combinations.
It was simple, but those little interactions shaped my morning into a positive experience. I left feeling inspired to weave a little bit more love and positivity into my own workday.
Sometimes it really is that simple.
What impact are you leaving when you interact with other people?
Do you even interact with other people? Start there.
Instead of thinking that our purpose in changing the world comes through big, grand gestures, start with the small ones. Start impacting the people around you. Start weaving purpose into your work — even if it’s not where you want to be forever.
Sometimes that can feel difficult, because doing the work is hard. It’s often easier to believe that everything will be fixed once we reach the next milestone, the next job, the next version of our lives.
But the truth is, how you do one thing is often how you do everything.
The way you speak to people.
The energy you bring into spaces.
The impact you bring to the work in front of you, just by being yourself.
Start now, with the tools at your disposal. Start with what’s in front of you. Start with the people around you. You have to start there before you can make the bigger impact you dream about.
And maybe purpose isn’t something waiting for us somewhere else.
Maybe it’s something we practice in the ordinary, everyday moments of our lives.
Where in your life could you bring a little more intention or care — exactly as things are right now?
I’d love to hear about a small interaction that shifted your day recently.
