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Every person has a deep purpose —a soul’s mission —waiting to be discovered. This purpose is not always clear. That is because seeing your true purpose requires a special kind of effort.
This effort is the commitment to living an examined life.
An examined life is one where you stop to think about who you are, why you are here, and what truly matters. It is to live a life of self-reflection and conscious awareness: looking inward to find your true path forward.
This journey is not about finding perfection, but being present and thoughtful. It is about asking big questions and listening for the answers that come from within. Take time to ponder these questions deeply as part of your journey.
As Servant Leadership Works explains, this process involves “listening to the messages that arise from our souls.”
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Self-Reflection and Looking Inward
The journey to an examined life always begins with you. Before you can understand your place in the world, you must first understand yourself. This means getting to know your strengths, weaknesses, values, and dreams. It means being honest about what brings you joy and what holds you back.
Self-reflection is the most critical tool for this.
For many, the first time they try self-reflection can feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar. It is the practice of sitting quietly with your own thoughts.
During self-reflection, you may notice that thoughts can be fleeting, chaotic, or even surprising, and observing their nature is crucial for developing self-awareness and personal growth.
This practice builds conscious awareness. You start to notice your habits and reactions. You begin to see patterns in your life.
Ondrejka highlights that “self-awareness is the cornerstone” of meaningful growth. Without it, you might live on autopilot, never questioning where you are going.
Self-reflection is often used in therapy to promote insight and healing.
Practicing Self-Compassion
Practicing self-compassion is a powerful way to support your journey of growth and self-reflection. Life is full of challenges and difficult emotions, and it’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned.
However, psychology shows that treating yourself with compassion—especially during tough times—can make the process of personal growth more effective and safe.
Self-compassion means recognizing that everyone has struggles and that it’s okay to experience setbacks. By being gentle with your thoughts and emotions, you create space for healing and learning.
Listening for Your Calling and Joy
Living an examined life means being open to a calling. A calling is that quiet, persistent feeling that you are meant for something more. It is your soul’s mission to speak to you.
Many people feel this call but are unsure how to answer it. Self-reflection helps you evaluate the direction your life is taking, and prompts can guide you to deeper insights.
Ondrejka shares a powerful idea: “Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood.”
You are not meant to be a copy of someone else. You are meant to be the truest version of yourself. Finding this truth is a central part of philosophical inquiry—the search for wisdom about life.
Developing a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning. Embracing this mindset transforms how you approach challenges and setbacks, turning them into opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up. When you focus on the process of learning—rather than just the result—you become more resilient and open to new experiences.
Self-reflection is key to developing a growth mindset. Take time to reflect on how you respond to challenging situations and what you can learn from them.
Seek out experiences that push you beyond your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. Each challenge you face is a chance to grow stronger and wiser.
As you build this mindset, you’ll find that the journey itself becomes more engaging and rewarding.
The Power of an Examined Life
An examined life is not something you do just on retreats or during significant life changes. It is a daily practice, and can also be a weekly routine. Even a few hours of self-reflection each week can be impactful, and daily self-reflection practices can be short yet still effective.
It is about bringing thoughtful existence into your everyday actions. How do you talk to people? How do you handle stress? How do you make decisions? Setting aside time each week for a deeper review of your experiences can help you notice patterns and progress.
Servant Leadership provides a simple daily checklist for this very purpose. It suggests starting each morning by setting an intention. Ask yourself, “How can I serve today?” Throughout the day, practice listening deeply to others. At night, take a moment for examination—reflect on what happened during the day, including your job or work.
Consider how events happened and how you responded.
Reflecting on what has happened can help you understand your reactions and identify any problems that need attention. Be careful not to miss important insights by rushing through your reflection.
Moving Forward on Your Path
Choosing to live an examined life is a brave decision. It takes courage to look inward and be honest with yourself. But the benefits are significant: increased self-awareness, fulfillment, and a more profound sense of purpose and connection. You stop just going through the motions and start living with intention.
Your journey is unique. Your soul’s mission is yours alone.
But you do not have to find it by yourself. Learn from the wisdom of others who have walked this path before you.
The journey of an examined life is the most important one you will ever take. It leads you to your true self and your reason for being. Engaging your mind and reflecting deeply on your thoughts, feelings, and motivations is essential to this process of self-discovery.
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As Ondrejka reminds us, this work helps us “lay healing paths for all of God’s children and support their inner work.”
Your journey not only transforms you—it allows you to positively impact the world around you.
Ready to begin your journey of an examined life and discover your soul’s mission?
Learn the principles of servant leadership and self-discovery, and buy your copy of Servant Leadership Works: Ethical, Engaging, and Effective by Dennis Ondrejka today!
