By Sarah Card

Do you ever find yourself asking, “Am I truly living the life I was created for – or just the one I settled for?” Have you buried your real dreams and desires because life, fear, responsibilities or the weighty expectations of others convinced you it was too late? What if that restlessness you feel is not something to ignore? What if it’s actually your true purpose calling to you?

As a child, I had big dreams. I was obsessed with music, movies, and anything that involved dancing. Being immersed in a great song would carry me away to my own perfect world, and I just knew I was going to be the greatest performer the stage had ever seen. I loved to sing, dance, and act. When I was in my element, I would light up the stage. I was that one kid who stole the show and drew everyone’s eye. Seeing an audience filled with joy made me feel alive. Looking back now, I realize those moments were the truest expression of who I am. Performing was living out my purpose.

Regrettably, like many, I let “real life” to take center stage. After high school, I jumped into being a productive member of society, checking all the expected boxes: getting married, raising a family, starting a career, buying a home, building businesses – all the things that looked successful on the outside. Yet whenever I slowed down long enough to breathe, I felt restless. Something was missing. I knew I had settled. Somewhere along the way, I stopped dreaming. I lost that fearless passion I had as a little girl. I lost sight of who I really was, what I loved to do, and who I was created to be. I lost my purpose. Have you lost yours?

What is Purpose?
The dictionary defines purpose as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” Have you ever asked yourself why you exist?

The Bible tells us: “We are God’s handiwork, created in Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10) Our life’s purpose was literally prepared before we were born. It’s the very reason we exist. How cool is that?!
In his book Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life, Bob Proctor reminds us that we are all hardwired to do something great and have been given enormous talent and ability to achieve it. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, many of us become disconnected from our purpose – but that ends today.

Step 1: Believe You Are Worthy of Living a Purpose-Filled Life
I believe most of us struggle with feeling like we aren’t enough – that we don’t deserve the rewards life has to offer or have anything worthwhile to give. We put others on pedestals and convince ourselves they deserve what they have and we don’t. We whisper lies: I’m
not worthy of success. I’m not beautiful enough. I’m not strong enough. Someone can do this better than me. Let me tell you right now – that is complete BS, one of the biggest lies the enemy has convinced us to believe. When we internalize unworthiness, it prevents us from fully showing up in the world. It robs us of joy and denies others the gift only we can share.

Most of us have experienced rejection or hurt, and as a result, we’re terrified to shed our armor. We hide ourselves to avoid that same pain again. As Tim Storey puts it, we live “a discount version of ourselves.” The result? We withhold the very thing we were put on this Earth to offer.
We must reframe rejection and take our power back. In her book Worthy, Jaime Kern Lima writes that rejection is actually God’s protection: “I haven’t been rejected. My Creator hid my value from them because they’re not assigned to my destiny.” That perspective changes everything. Looking back through that lens, I now see moments of rejection as gifts.

Here’s the truth: there is only one of you. You are unique, and while your gifts may resemble some else’s, no one else can share them in your distinct way. The world needs your purpose.

If you ever doubt your worth, try Jen Gottlieb’s “Badass List” exercise from her book Be Seen. Write down every accomplishment you’ve achieved, big or small. I’m serious – pause your reading and do it right now. Keep the list handy. When unworthiness or self-doubt creep in, pull it out and remind yourself of the badass things you’ve already done.

Your words are powerful. Choose them wisely and intentionally. Speak life over yourself. Tell yourself every day: I am worthy. I am enough. Even when you fail, even when you stumble – you are still worthy. Believing this truth is the catalyst to greatness. Our world desperately needs what only you can give.

Step 2: Rediscover Your Purpose
Deep within all of us lie desires, passions, and missions greater than ourselves. But over time, we bury them – dim our light, dull our sparkle and live on autopilot because the pain of circumstances or hurtful words have killed our dreams and convinced us to believe lies about who we are.
As a child, I was often told I was “ too much” – too loud, too in the way or too energetic. I believed those words, shrinking myself and digging a deep grave for my purpose. Past hurts made me afraid to be vulnerable, so I concealed who I really was. The devastating impact wasn’t just losing my identity – it was withholding the unique gift I had to offer the world.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay stuck. You can break free.

If you feel lost, disconnected, or unsure of your purpose, try this exercise: For the next 10 days, set aside 10-15 minutes daily. Sit quietly without distractions and ask yourself: What do I really love to do? What brings me joy? What inspires me to get up in the morning? What motivates me when things get hard? Write down whatever comes to mind – without judgment or analysis. Just let it flow.

This quiet reconnection will help you rediscover your true self. And when you do, you’ll rediscover your purpose. You were created for greatness.

Step 3: Step Into Your Purpose and Live the Life You Were Created For
Now that you’ve rediscovered your purpose – let the fun begin! I’m over here cheering for you, beaming with pride and joy at the journey you’re about to embark on. It’s time to step into your purpose and start living it in all of its glorious fullness.

Yes, it will feel awkward at first. Yes, it will take time. A house isn’t built in a day; it’s laid brick by brick. You didn’t bury your purpose overnight, so don’t expect to perfect living it overnight. Be patient. Give yourself grace. Just start laying bricks – and don’t quit.

Each morning, commit to one action that aligns with your purpose. Over time, momentum will build. Stop limiting yourself. Remind yourself every day you are worthy to live out your purpose. I start every day speaking power statements like: I believe in who I am becoming. I do hard things. I finish what I start. I am worthy of success. This sets my mindset and energizes me to live out my purpose.

Another key step? Set goals so big they scare you – and chase them! Until recently, I never would have called myself a writer. I hadn’t written anything of substance since I was in elementary school. But that’s the beauty of rediscovering your purpose. Through soul work, you get really honest with yourself, and find these small embers that used to burn you up with passion. They were never fully snuffed out and now you get to fan them – and reignite a full blown blaze! I’ve rediscovered my passion for writing. Now, I’ve set a big, scary goal: to be a New York Times best-selling author. Does it terrify me to put that out there? Absolutely. But fear no longer gets to hold me back – because writing and sharing my message is part of my purpose.

Here’s the reality: you owe it to yourself to stop playing small, rediscover your purpose, and step into your full potential. Yes, rejection and disappointment may scare you, but wasted potential should absolutely terrify you. Settling for less than your purpose is the most expensive decision you’ll ever make – because it costs you you.

And that is a price no one should be willing to pay. So stop settling. Start living fully alive. Right now.