This is “Your Impact: The Podcast” Episode 5: How to figure out your life purpose”, and I’m April.

Today I’m diving into Benjamin Hoff’s book “The Tao of Pooh”. The Tao of Pooh is an international bestseller that has been regarded as a popular classic book introducing the Taoist concept of “effortless doing” through the characters of Winnie The Pooh.

One of my favourite quotes in the book is, “Enjoyment of the process is the secret that erases the myths of the Great Reward and Saving Time.” And when you remove arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that Life is simple; and the freedom to be childlike will show you that Life is in its essence, Fun.

I’m guilty of taking life too seriously, and often it comes in waves of contentment and dissatisfaction. I can look at my life, and look at someone else, and see that maybe they look better, they look happier, they are richer, and it makes me look at my life and think- how can I catch up, how can I do better, how could I be so behind, how can I be so lost, what do i have to do to have that too and make it last?

But one of the key lessons here is that the control of our lives - and thus recognizing the simplicity of life - begins with understanding who we are, and letting things be as they are.

You can’t know what your next move is, if you have little understanding of yourself, have little respect for yourself, and are easily influenced by others.

Pooh says it best in a rhyme:

“How can you get very far, if you don’t know who you are?

How can you do what you ought, if you don’t know what you’ve got?

And if you don’t know which to do, of all things in front of you, then what you’ll have when you’re through is a mess without a clue.”

In the story of the Ugly Duckling, when did the Ugly Duckling stop feeling Ugly? When he realized he was a Swan.

Instead of comparing myself to someone and trying to alter the course of my life to their path because I’m attracted to it; I need to figure out what I like, what I don’t like, who I am, and work with what I’ve got, following my own path.

Each one of us has something Special, hidden somewhere. But until we recognize that it’s there, instead of flailing around, work with what you’ve got figured out right now about who you are, trust your intuition, and then don’t lose sight of it. And remember, it is not a race, and enjoy that process of self discovery.

You just listened to: Episode 5: How to figure out your life purpose”. I’ll be back with new episodes every Sunday so I’ll see you there with more thoughts on how to live better and find your impact. Be well.