Finding Purpose in the Quiet Times

Do you know what your purpose is? A couple of months ago, I agreed to help chaperone a youth retreat for high schoolers at my church this past weekend. I had helped out last year and because I was very involved in my own high school youth group, I figured I could give back in this way. Anyways, the point is even though I was there to keep the teenagers in line and be someone they could talk to about life and whatever else... I still found myself with ample amounts of time for self-reflection.

I think it's so important to get away, to quiet ourselves to find out what our bodies, our souls are really saying to us. This is great for any aspect of life, not just matters of spirit but even in your career. When you're on vacation, shutting off the iPhone or Blackberry for a week can help you reflect on your career, where you are going and what your purpose is.

It's funny that at the end of the retreat, the last session is to open it up and say what part you really found most memorable. Most everyone said having quiet time. Even teenagers realized that it's so good to clear your head and just let yourself be quiet and think about the good, the bad and the ugly. Life is so loud and busy and fast in the everyday. There's always deadlines, traffic, rushing to the next event and people to please.

For me this weekend I realized while I don't think my purpose lies in youth ministry - while I enjoyed myself and was very impressed with the teenagers - not something I could do on a regular basis, I found other things about myself that I need to work on, readjust and refocus some areas of my life. All by unplugging for 2.5 days.

Take some time - even if it's one hour - to just sit and be quiet. No TV, no radio, nothing. Just breathe and reflect on what at this time in your life is making you happy? What is making you unhappy? What is your purpose? And how can you fulfill that purpose?