In many of my adult programs, new students are led through a life skill process designed to help them discover what we call our Life Purpose. However, instead of attempting to tell you what should be important to you or what should satisfy you in the way of answers, beliefs, etc. (as is the case in many religions and self-help therapies) it's much more powerful if you go through a process by which you can come to "know yourself."

"But," I hear many of you asking, "why should I have a Life Purpose?"

The question itself suggesting that a Life Purpose is something that you can 'get.' But, that's not it at all. That would be like taking the phrase, "get a life" to heart when, in reality, you already have a life. No, the point is not to get something outside of yourself but instead to discover something that has been with you for at least a good part of your life.

What is your Life Purpose?

It's that part of you - that feeling in the deepest depths of your heart-of-hearts that, when it's fullfilled, sets your heart ablaze - makes you feel whole - complete - makes you see life as a place where you could truly be happy.

Your Life Purpose is just that, that thing about you that gives your life, well.... Purpose. It is the cause by which everything else in your life is done, measured, obtained, and sought. Anything that doesn't is a distraction.

And, it is the difference between living life intentionally, and living accidentally as though you had no control.

All warriors and those seeking to create the life of their dreams, have a 'cause' for which they are willing to fight and if necessary, willing to lay down their lives to protect.

What's yours?

Have you ever thought about it like this before?

What do you want your life to be about, to stand for?

What do you want to pass onto your children or others who look up to you as a role-model?

What guides your choices and decisions and what do you want others to remember about 'you' at the end of your life...

...after you're gone, and...

...after it's too late to do anything about it?

Do you need to know your Life Purpose? The answer is of course "No!"

Not if you want to live life, taking whatever comes your way with little or nothing to say about it.

But, if you are really...seriously...working on the concept of personal development, the question must be answered...

..."what is this 'self' that is worth developing - worth protecting?"

Because, after all, if there is nothing that you can do to control the development - nothing of value to protect - i.e. no you, then...

...why bother learning to develop or protect it at all?

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. Through their martial arts training, his students and clients learn proven, time-tested lessons designed to help them create the life they've always dreamed of living, and the skills necessary for protecting that life from anything that might threaten it. To learn more about life skills and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com To subscribe to his online newsletter, go to http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html