Finding My Purpose Outside of My Full Time Job

I was never one of those people that knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I have never felt like I was put on this earth to be anything specific – a teacher, astronaut, a politician… At a fairly young age, I remember my dad asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said, “I don’t know, I just want to take care of my family.”

So here I am quickly approaching 30 years old, and I have learned that I find my purpose in life outside of my Monday to Friday job. I am very thankful for the company I work for, and for the most part I enjoy the day to day of my job. But it doesn’t feed my soul and I don’t wake up in the morning excited and ready to make a difference in people’s lives while at work.

How I find my purpose is through volunteering. I believe that I was put on this earth to love people where they are, not where I want them to be. Over the past several years I have found that volunteering through my church and other outlets is where I find my purpose. Now I regularly get comments about how I never have down time and that one day I will regret always doing something. I have a secret to tell you: I won’t.

When it comes to my children, I want to show them by example that it is our job to give back to the community. I will never regret seeing the look of pure joy come across a teen’s face as they get to slam a whipped cream-filled pie in someone’s face. I will never regret hearing my 6-year-old daughter explain to her friend “it’s okay, that is what we are here for – to help people!” after seeing our friend ask a homeless woman to join us for lunch.

There are many organizations around us that are constantly looking for volunteers. I would like to encourage you if you are like me and your “regular” job doesn’t make your heart beat a little faster – look for places to serve! Find something you are passionate about and help that organization move forward! I promise you won’t regret it. As parents, our kids watch us and learn from our example. I want my kids to know that we are helpers, the ones making our community a little better. Maybe you can’t change the entire world, but I promise you can make a difference in the part of the community you choose to serve.

Maybe one day I will figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and my two paths of taking care of my family and serving the people in my community will come together. Until then, I will continue to give my time to people – to love and serve every day that I am able. I need to feed my soul just as much as I need to feed my stomach. There is a lot of need out there, but we can each do something that will make a huge difference to one person.

I encourage you if you are not already doing so to find your passion, your organization, your place to help love and serve the people in our community.

Tiffany
Tiffany is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Desmond. Together they get to play the roles of Mommy and Daddy to Micah, a gifted Math Wiz of a teenager who is always making people laugh, and Keilyn, a spunky, flower loving, dancing girl who will stop and talk to anyone she meets. She was born and raised in Baton Rouge and has Cajun blood running through her veins. She works full time outside of the home in business administration. She started the journey of motherhood young but wouldn’t have it any other way. Her children have taught her to laugh, play and that sometimes it’s ok not to have a plan! She has a passion for teenagers and is an active mentor in her church’s youth group. In her rare free time she enjoys shopping, coffee, and date nights with her husband. She believes that everyone has a story to tell and enjoys meeting new people, making people laugh, and spending time with friends and family.

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