Over the past year, I’ve spent countless hours in quiet reflection, often sitting by my window with a cup of tea, watching the world go by as I pondered one seemingly simple question: What truly fulfills us at our core? The journey to this answer took me through journal pages filled with memories, conversations with mentors and friends, and moments of silence where I could hear my own heart speaking.

The answer, when it finally crystallized, was both simple and profound… Purpose!

I remember the exact moment this truth settled in me. I was volunteering at a community center, helping a young girl with her reading. As her eyes lit up after successfully completing a difficult passage, something shifted within me. That spark of joy in her eyes reflected something deeper in my soul, a reminder that I was making a difference, however small. In that ordinary moment, extraordinary fulfillment washed over me.

We all long to feel that our lives matter, that we are here for a reason. This longing isn’t just philosophical; it’s woven into the fabric of our being. But in a world increasingly centered on appearances and self-interest, where social media highlights reels and achievement metrics dominate our attention, it’s easy to overlook a deeper truth; that finding your purpose and experiencing true fulfillment comes from serving and uplifting those around us.

The most beautiful part? We don’t need grand gestures or global platforms to experience this sense of purpose. We see it reflected in small, everyday acts; gently soothing a child after a nightmare, offering a steady arm to an elderly person crossing the street, listening with full presence when a friend is going through a difficult time, or mentoring a colleague who’s just starting their career journey. These seemingly ordinary moments remind us of the impact we can have on others’ lives, and in turn, they bring a profound sense of purpose to our own.

I’ve noticed that when I focus solely on my own achievements or compare my journey to others’, I often feel emptier, regardless of what I accomplish. But when I direct my energy toward serving others: whether through my work, my relationships, or simply being present for someone who needs support, I experience a richness that no personal success alone could provide.

So, amid the pressure to compare or compete, amid the noise that says you must achieve certain milestones by certain ages or accumulate specific possessions to matter, remember this essential truth: There’s only one YOU. Your experiences, challenges, triumphs, and wounds are uniquely yours, and so is your purpose. No one else can fulfill exactly the role you were designed to play in this world.

If you’re still on the journey to find your purpose, take heart, it’s not a race. Some discover their calling early in life, while others uncover it gradually through seasons of exploration and change. The path to serving others and finding true fulfillment rarely follows a straight line or a predetermined timeline. Be patient with yourself, notice what brings you joy and what problems in the world break your heart—often, your purpose lives at the intersection of these two things.

And if you’ve already found it, that’s amazing! But remember to look back and support others who are still searching. Extend a hand, offer guidance, create space for questions and doubts. Because true fulfillment isn’t just about discovering your purpose; it’s about using it to elevate others. Helping someone else find their path ultimately deepens our own sense of purpose and connection.

So today, whether you’re still exploring or confidently walking in your purpose, make space for others. Ask someone about their dreams. Listen to understand, not to respond. Celebrate others’ victories as enthusiastically as your own. Share your knowledge freely. Uplift, serve, and empower.

That’s how we create the world we want to live in, one purposeful connection at a time. And in that creation, we find the fulfillment our hearts have been seeking all along.

What small act of service might you offer today? How might you uplift someone on their journey? Your purpose is waiting to be lived, one meaningful moment at a time.