Purpose

I have had a crazy but amazing week. I’ve actually felt a little overwhelmed since completing that race I spoke about in my last blog. One of the most universal questions is “What is my purpose?”  In other words, “Why am I here?”  I ask myself that all the time. Of course, since I am a Christian I believe God put each of us here for a purpose beyond ourselves and He equipped us with specific gifts and talents to fulfill that purpose. In our own human-ness we, at least I, end up equating that with career vs calling. Am I called to be a sales rep or am I just passing time before I find my true purpose?

Well, this week some amazing things happened that helped me understand the answer. Again, this is my viewpoint. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be for now. Yesterday I visited an office I hadn’t been to for a couple of years. I went with a friend just to say ‘hello’ to my old customers. I had only called on them a little over a year before getting laid off so I wasn’t really sure if they would even remember me or how they felt about me. When they saw me, I was overwhelmed by the welcome or I should say, welcome back. One of the customers even led me to a back hallway where there was a whiteboard which said, “Anna Warner, My Lipstick Journey Through Cancer.” He said it had been up there for over a year and he tells everyone to read my book. All this from people I didn’t think would really remember me.

So here’s my thing, purpose is about the people. Yes, I will probably always struggle with the days of wondering about my job, but no matter what I’m doing or where, it’s about relationships. I got cancer which obviously was not part of my plan, but I have met so many people who have impacted my life in so many ways; some really deep and everlasting relationships. I only hope I have done the same for them. Former strangers, now friends. I believe there are no accidents and people come in and out of our lives for a reason; whether it’s to teach us to love more, to be more compassionate, or even to break our hearts and make us stronger. In the end, my heart overflows and I can barely contain it. It’s ok, I don’t want to. I think sometimes when we are searching and questioning where we should be or what we should be doing, we miss where we are. I am sitting smack dab in my ‘purpose.’ Sit for 5 minutes and think about where you are, think about all the people in your life. We all make decisions good and bad that lead us in different directions. I try not to have regrets. This is life.

Today I wear Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Pink Ballet. First of all, I love Bobbi Brown lipsticks. This formula is extra creamy because it has shea butter in it. The color is a soft pink which is appropriate for spring and summer and Bobbi colors are pretty much universal. I chose it because I love music and I am also a dancer. I danced through my youth and even through college. We live our purpose daily but if we can infuse our passion too, well, the skies the limit!

Tags: Anna Warner, Bobbi Brown, breathing, cancer, cancer survivor, external beam radiation, faith, family, friendship, hope, inspiration, life lessons, lipstick, My Lipstick Journey Through Cancer, thyroid, thyroid cancer survivor