Peace and Purpose

I’ve recently started signing off every newsletter by “wishing you all peace and purpose.” But what do those words really mean to me?

Peace and purpose are deeply personal—unique to each individual. For me, peace is the absence of stress, worry, and anxiety. It’s when I’m fully present, immersed in whatever I’m doing, and content with the moment as it is.

Purpose, on the other hand, is still a work in progress. Funny enough, I’ve come to define it as progress itself recently—and I like that way of thinking. It removes unnecessary pressure. If I wake up and write a newsletter or go for a run, that’s a purposeful day.

I believe purpose can lead to peace, but it can also disrupt it. Perhaps they are two separate journeys.

Both require sacrifice though—letting go of past beliefs, friendships, or even old versions of myself. Over the past year, I’ve felt that shift firsthand. My interests have evolved toward reading, writing, walking, and learning. I find both peace and purpose in these activities because they keep me present while also contributing to my growth.

They offer me an outlet for progress and reflection.

This semester, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my ability to focus and comprehend lectures. Even the bland lifeless ones. Correlation isn’t always causation, but I’d like to think that my reading and writing habits have strengthened my long lost ability. Be gone phone!

I have a feeling this next season of life will be purpose-driven. My academic career is coming to a close, and while that’s bittersweet, I feel ready for the next chapter. There’s a lot of uncertainty ahead, but it doesn’t scare me the way it used to. I’ve come to accept that difficult times are inevitable, and I expect them. I try and welcome them best I can, so they don’t catch me off guard. “Stay ready, so you don’t gotta get ready” as Spice Adams always says.

I find peace in that mindset—understanding that not everything will go my way.

The bigger question for me now is: What kind of game do I want to be playing?

Previous me only focused on one thing. Money. But my perspective has shifted. While money matters, I now understand it doesn’t solve everything. You can have all the money in the world and still feel empty. You can have money but no one to share it with. You can have success but sacrifice your health in the process. Everything in life comes with trade-offs, and there are certain things—my relationships, my health, my peace—that I’d rather not sacrifice for another dollar. Plus like most things, the excitement fades and that brand new shiny object probably won’t mean all that much to you in a year or so.

I want to play the game that favors a good story. One that is rich in kindness, connection, intention, and adventure. A story where I embrace challenges with courage, seek growth in every experience, and uplift those around me. I want to live with purpose, finding joy in both the journey and the people I share it with. In the end, I hope to look back and know that I lived fully, loved deeply, and left the world a little better than I found it.

Wishing you all some peace and purpose :)