I kid you not. One word. One question. Can help you live longer. “Why?” That’s it. “Why?” The truth is that study after study have shown that if you have purpose in life, you have decreased mortality. (One such study was in JAMA, May 2019, for example.) But here’s the thing. This idea of “purpose” is clunky. And as I point out in my book, Joy Is My Justice, it’s also biased and skewed towards individuals with resources. So what if we broadened out purpose so that all of us could benefit from it? What if you asked this question, “Why,” about something you do often in your week? Work, family, a side hobby, exercise, anything. What if you boiled down the Deeper Why to why you do this thing and created purpose instead of doing things without intention. I can tell. you that creating purpose and a deeper why helps you see the future path much easier. It helps you feel a sense of belonging and creates space for creativity. When I boiled down for myself why I am in Medicine, it helped me get through the long nights, the mounds of paperwork and ridiculous burdens of the failing system (I’m not saying those don’t need to change! I’m just saying my well-being shouldn’t depend on when it does.) My purpose in Medicine is to help others feel safe and at ease because I never did in my life. So each time I help others feel safe in their bodies, I see the possibility for me to feel safer too. What’s one thing you can investigate this week to find your purpose? And it doesn’t have to be your career. It can be the joy of gardening, walking, parenting, etc. Once you boil down this answer, you can create that purpose in these studies that gives us a sense of well-being and longevity as well. It’s a free tool without side effects so I would say it’s a prescription worth trying. If you do, share with us one thing you realize from this question. Or if you feel stumped, share that too. All challenges and triumphs welcome on this wet Wednesday in my Seattle neck of the woods! Sending you all much love…Tanmeet
Why purpose? For me, it brings unity.
Love it! Thanks for sharing. Have you always known that?