I was reading the other day about the six good doctors we need in our lives to stay healthy. As I was reading through the list it occurred to me that these six doctors are particularly applicable to our mental health. They are:

·       Fresh air and sunshine

·       Exercise

·       A good diet

·       Sleep

·       Friends/community

·       A Purpose in life

Looking down this list it’s easy to nod wisely and then move on, but it’s worth taking the time to evaluate all these things and see how our lives measure up. This week: the last one, A Purpose in Life.

All of us need a reason to get up in the morning. I remember, some years ago, a man who worked in the fruit and veg area of our local supermarket. Without wanting to be snobbish about it, he seemed an unlikely sort of person to be working there. I discovered he had been a senior civil servant who had taken early retirement to look after his ailing mother. On her death, he had nothing to do, no purpose in life. He took the supermarket job, he said, because it was better than staying in bed until noon and drinking a bottle of sherry every day.

A purpose in life, I would suggest, is more than a job; although, if you are lucky enough to combine the two, you are blessed beyond words. Many years ago, I was lucky enough to work with Richard Jacobs, who has written the excellent book, “What’s Your Purpose? Seven Questions to Find Your Answer.” I would highly recommend this book. In working with him and answering these questions, I discovered that my life’s purpose is to create beauty and generate joy in service to others. That might sound a bit nebulous, or even idealistic, but I have found it useful. When I worked as an image consultant, I was creating beauty – or rather, uncovering it – in my clients and bringing them joy as they saw their beauty for themselves. I did this in service to them. When I make my greetings cards, they are as beautiful as I can make them and a source of joy to those who receive them. I try to write these blogs as well as I can and hope they do some good, even though they are not always joyous. They are certainly in service to Moodscope. These things bring enormous satisfaction.

Since giving up work, however, a lot of that sense of purpose has deserted me. I try to keep busy – my house is cleaner than it has ever been – but the days drag. This is why I will be looking for a job in the new year. I need a reason to get up in the morning. I hope I can find one that fulfils my particular purpose.

Do you have a reason to get up in the morning? If you are retired, or unable to work, have you found something that gives you purpose? I don’t think we necessarily need to love what we do, but it must be meaningful to us.

I hope, in whatever job I find, I can create beauty and generate joy in service, even if it is just giving my customers a smile on the checkout till at the supermarket.

Mary

A Moodscope member