I am lost and have never known who I am or my purpose,how can I find myself and mature into adulthood?

Answer 1

Get behind a movement or an orginazation that you believe in. Make helping people your purpose. You can never go wrong with that. I try and help and get interested with the aclu, DNC, and barack obama, and I want to start helping with habitat for humanity. Even if you volenteer @ a homeless shelter you will feel better about yourself and have meaning, and learn a bunch of things about yourself and the world in the process. This also helps to put on your resume which helps you mature into adulthood. It also helps you to realize that no matter how low your life feels, that there are people who love to live even though they have much less and are worse off than you.

Answer 2

First of all, I recommend you take a DEEP breath and relax.

Why?

Well, I believe that the fact that you are able and willing to ask this question and begin this journey is an indication that you already have a good idea as to "who and what you are" (or aren't); or that to some degree you have already "found yourself"--and that you are, in fact, "maturing into adulthood"!? And, that you even know "your purpose".

How so?

As it relates to your 'purpose', you MUST at least know--or have come to the realization--that the purpose that you originally thought was the reason for your existence is now NOT!?

Yes or no?

I also believe it takes a great deal of courage to doubt ones self in this way, and to seek a higher or more satisfactory answer (or experience) than what you have already encountered.

This indicates a desire to change and grow.

Do you realize that most people are NOT aware that they are even lost--or that THEY need to do something in order to "find themselves" or to "be found"!?!?

Mostly this is because they believe they already know everything and know exactly who they are, where they are going, etc., etc.?

Warning: Should you choose to proceed with this part of your journey, you will soon discover that the more you learn and know...the more you will learn and know that you have more to learn and know. (grin).

As a jumping off point, try reading through these quotes at:

http://www.freeread.com/archives/what-we-are-quotes.php

...and see if you don't expose yourself to some new ideas and different perspectives on the topics you have covered in your question.

..and the best of luck to you!

Remember, that it's all about the journey and NOT about the final destination!!!!

Answer 3

When I was eighteen all I wanted to do was get away from home and the small narrow-minded town I grew up in. I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. All I knew was that I wanted to experience life beyond a small west Texas town. I joined the Army and soon found myself halfway around the world. It was the beginning of the long adventure that became my life.

I'm not saying you should join the Army to become an adult or find a purpose. I'm saying that as you experience a larger spectrum of life quite often your 'purpose' in life finds you. Your experiences can become the best education you can have.

Example: Say you're bored or aimless and don't know what you want out of life or what to do in life. While you're figuring this out you take a job as a clerk in some convenience store. Being a clerk exposes you to a large variety of life's more colorful and odd-ball characters, some of whom you develop friendships with. These new found insights into human nature could inspire you record your experiences in a book or on film (as it did Kevin Smith, the writer and director of 'Clerks.').

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that if you fill your life with as many options and positive experiences as possible the answers become more clear and often answer themselves.

Answer 4

The awareness of being 'lost' is the first step to empowerment. You will mature 'through' adulthood rather than into it.

You are only at the beginning of discovery. Pursue what you love as best as you can determine. One experience will lead to another and you'll progressively gain awareness of your true nature. On the path, "Give up what you do NOT want and keep what you do."

Doubt your learned defensive egoic self - everything you have been taught to believe about yourself and the world, for Reality will mirror those limiting beliefs. Even the good ones will make you stumble.

You are here for a purpose that must be REMEMBERED - the same as the rest of us. The goal of eternal aliveness is through "being, transcendence(ego), OR bliss." Choose one or all three. When the ego is dead - there you are.

Answer 5

It all comes with experience. the best way to mature into adulthood is to just get out there and experience life. If you do that in a few years I think you'll have a better idea as to what your purpose in life really is.

Answer 6

honestly it just takes time, Im 23 and I Just figured out who I am within the year or so. But dont forget your always changing and growing so relax. Just make sure you work hard at school and go to college and always work hard and take pride in what you do. You sound smart for your age, you know right from wrong, be sure to make educated decisions and do the right thing and before you know it people will be looking to you for help and advice, and you will figure who you are eventually. Like I said we are always changing, dont expect to wake up one week and notice maturity thats not how it happens. Many people in there late 20's and 30's still dont know what they want to do with life, job, family? You would be suprised. 30 is the new 20 these days so dont rush enjoy your youth. Trust me one day you will be in your 20's saying where did the time go!

Answer 7

THAT is your first problem. Do you expect to find yourself lying on a beach somewhere or in the pages of some book? You do not need to FIND yourself.

You need to MAKE yourself. You are the sculptor and you are also the clay. I'm sure you can find the suggestion of all kinds of things in an unmolded lump. But if you want to BE, then you must first DO.

Other people will probably try and poke their fingers into your work and turn it into things of their liking. But they will come and go. Only YOU will always be there. Just remember, you are always at the wheel, and if you want to see something else, all you have to do is give it one more turn.

Always.

Answer 8

I love the book " Purpose Driven Life" with Rick Warren. it helped me like millions of others to figure out " Why on earth I am here for".

Give it time. You do not have any shortcuts to maturity in spiritual matters.

Answer 9

you would not be capable of asking the question if you did not already have the answer within. This is one of those "life questions" that only you can know, & you certainly will not find the answer here. The question is designed to start you on your journey of self discovery, & the answer will change as you change & grow. As for maturity, it is a process, not an event, & you are in it. We all change, it is the only constant in life. To cease to change is to start to die.

Answer 10

"NBM" above said it well.

And because of restraint due to and space at this medium, I give it to you again here:

" The awareness of being 'lost' is the first step to empowerment. You will mature 'through' adulthood rather than into it. "

Well said indeed.