Purpose moves us from anxiety to authenticity.
- Elizabeth Dixon
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
Purpose moves us from anxiety to authenticity.
One of the biggest drivers of anxiety in our lives? Comparison!
We live in a world constantly tempting us to keep up with the Jones'. We need more possessions, better promotions, higher positions—the list goes on and on. Where does route of comparison lead us? From my own experience, nowhere other than a downward spiral of anxiety.
Purpose can change that. When we live our own personal purpose rather than trying to keep up with someone else's, we're ultimately making a decision to live more authentically. And believe me, there's a joy that comes in being authentically ourselves.
There's a freedom when we choose authenticity over anxiety.
It's a powerful thing to encounter people who are living out of the strength of their foundation and purpose. When we hear their passionate, life-changing words, when we see their skills and giftings, when we interact with them in even the slightest ways, we experience the difference. While we may not know their purpose explicitly, we certainly feel it. We experience the shift from anxiety to authenticity when we experience someone living out of the strength of their purpose.
I had that experience with Chadwick Boseman. Did I personally know him? Unfortunately, not! But I felt his purpose in the work and words he shared with the world.
A couple of years before his passing, Boseman gave the commencement speech at Howard University. At the time, he was already playing the title role in Black Panther and fighting a private battle with cancer. Unbeknownst to the crowd in attendance that day, he was living out his highest and lowest moments simultaneously behind the scenes.
In truth, he probably could've said anything in that speech, and listeners would've hung on his every word. He just had that kind of charisma! But I think what inspired Boseman's choice of words that day wasn't his achievements, or his diagnosis, or his specific season at that time.
I think it was the authenticity that came from his sense of purpose.
"Graduating class, hear me well on this day. This day, when you have reached the hilltop and you are deciding on next jobs, next steps, careers, further education, you would rather find purpose than a job or career. Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill. Whatever you choose for a career path, remember, the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose...
I don't know what your future is, but if you are willing to take the harder way, the more complicated one, the one with more failures at first than successes, the one that has ultimately proven to have more meaning, more victory, more glory, then you will not regret it. Now, this is your time. The light of new realizations shines on you today...
As you commence to your paths, press on with pride and press on with purpose."
Boseman seemingly had every reason to compare his current circumstances to those around him. He had every reason to lead with anxiety. But, with purpose as his foundation, he chose a different—a better—way. He chose authenticity.
The entire graduating class of Howard University in 2018 recognized it. We all did! We all saw a man walking in the strength of his purpose.
We felt it with each word he said.
We experienced the authentic strength of his foundation.
That's the strength of purpose!
Ready to reduce stress and live out of intention? Get your copy of The Strength of Purpose: A Guide to Knowing and Living Your Reason for Being and the accompanying Handbook: The Strength of Purpose Handbook: A Guide for Crafting Purpose, Journaling Progress and Setting Goals To Live Your Reason for Being.
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