The 23rd Birthday Project. Day Five

Clarity of Purpose

“And when you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. Don’t just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, dead or the unborn couldn’t do it better” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Finding my way, what I wanted to do in life came to me in a less strenuous way than most people. From an early age, I knew I had a passion for Literature and Civil Engineering. The whole finesse of literature intrigued me; the ability of writers to take you on a whole journey by just putting words together seemed like a mystery to me. Also, there was Civil Engineering; the art of putting together solid materials to make beautiful, captivating structures that stood the test of time was marveling. Two different parts, yet both having their roots in creativity. 

I read a lot of books while growing up, although I didn’t start writing till my 4th year in school (2017). I remember attending Literature classes in secondary school while being a science student. I read their books and answered tests/exam questions. My passion for Civil Engineering helped me make a choice, especially since I can make a living out of it and have Literature on the side. It was along this path that I discovered I wasn’t only good at reading; I could write too (wow emoji). I had words floating in my head, taking shape and pouring themselves out when I put my pen to paper or my fingers to the keyboard. I would be asleep, walking or engaged in some activity, then I’d feel ideas rushing at me like a wind pushing to be written. I could express myself better when I wrote and it felt magical.

Now my Civil Engineering career is on its way, I had to ask myself two questions: What is my purpose? How do I achieve that purpose? To answer that I had to seek out my “anchor”, the Holy Spirit. I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and this has helped guide me through my path. As I’ve grown older, I understand it’s important to have beliefs to support what you stand for. Unbiased beliefs that preach progression, truth and love. So, in seeking out answers, I prayed and listened, and I got answers. The world had to see my light and in order to do that, I needed to have a voice. A good opportunity to let my voice out presented itself with the start of a new year for me. A self-revelation was required. 

The writing started, then posting, then the feelings of doubt started to creep and I started to gradually forget the purpose for which I started this in the first place. It is crazy how all this can happen in a matter of minutes or hours but seem like days. And today I’m back to myself, ready to follow through. 

Finding what we want to do with our lives is not always easy. I count myself blessed to be able to know what I want and to be fully aware of who I am. Everything we need comes from within. We have to reach for it consciously every day. You can only be what you can see. Trying out as many possibilities as you can matters in our journey to finding our direction in life. We all have different paths; we just need to find it and focus.