purpose - Living Expressions

Purpose is like the breath of life. For some, it could be more the breadth, depth, and width of life. We often think most about our purpose when we are struggling: as a teenager wondering what job we will do or which university course to take; when we become dissatisfied with our job, career direction, or course; and when we suffer trauma or health issues and lose the role we loved. I’ve been through all three, and the worst was the latter. When you finally find that role that fits you like a glove, you’re passionate about it, you love going to work, being part of the team, and then everything is taken from beneath you. Not only have I experienced it, but I’ve also witnessed and stood beside thousands of emergency services and Defence personnel going through this change once labelled ‘hurt on duty’ then medically discharged. How do we recover from this loss? Not only the loss of something we loved but the loss of our mental health, physical health, passion, drive, and purpose.

One thing I discovered on my journey is that my purpose was never truly lost; it just needed a new way to be expressed. It will certainly be different, and once we accept that, opportunities start to arise. Throughout my life, my purpose has always been education, motivational speaking, and supporting others to be their best. After my time in the police and navy, I found that my drive, passion, and purpose were still thriving. I just had to find the right avenue within my limitations.

After you decide to move forward, what happens next is truly amazing. It’s like the shifting forces of nature were engulfing your whole being beforehand. Most days felt like you were trying to move in the opposite direction through a massive windstorm. Then, the day it all becomes too much, sand flickers into your eyes, disabling your sight, and you feel totally exhausted—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It seems impossible to go on. At this point, we have a choice: give up or keep battling. But there is another choice. Let go. Let go of everything we are holding on to tightly. Allow the storm to pass. Rest our mind and body, then start working on the root cause slowly and steadily. Yes, it’s hard work, but the result is amazing. Things in life start to align again. We feel more connected to life, to friends, to nature, to the world! Indeed, we feel alive! We are survivors, becoming people who can empower others to reach that amazing place too.

Discover Your Purpose

Feeling lost or unsure about your purpose? Check out our feature article of the month on finding your purpose for more insights and inspiration. Ready to take the next step? Use Dr Mel Baker’s purpose-determining tool to uncover your unique path and start living a more fulfilling life today.

I stood at the crossroads of life, my footsteps echoing against the cold pavement. At 16, I found myself living on the unforgiving streets, a place where survival was a daily battle. And later, at 45, after my medical discharge from the military, I faced a different kind of struggle—one that tested my resilience, my compassion, and my very purpose.

The Yearning for JUSTICE and INTEGRITY

Within me burned a yearning—a fierce flame fueled by justice and integrity. I couldn’t accept the injustice of homelessness, the way society overlooked those who had fallen through the cracks. I wanted to understand their stories—the raw, unfiltered narratives etched into their weary faces. How did they end up here? What dreams had they once held?

HOPE held by COMPASSION

Compassion became my guiding star. I sat with a young man huddled in a cardboard shelter, his eyes reflecting lifetimes of hardship. We shared stories—the kind that don’t make headlines but shape lives. His name was John, and he’d once been a teacher. In the darkest corners, John didn’t make it. I held his hand for as long as I could into the night. Then returned to my shelter under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

PURPOSE held by LIFE itself

Life whispered its purpose to me. It wasn’t just about survival; it was about connection. On the streets, I tried to help other homeless people alongside volunteers—ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. We laughed, we listened, and we saw beyond the tattered clothes and worn-out shoes. Each person had a name, a history, and a spark of hope.

Award-winning short film Say My Name created by Dr Mel Baker

In the frame: SAY MY NAME (2023) short film

In my short film, SAY MY NAME, Kate Olivia portrays a homeless veteran—a haunting reflection of the struggles faced by those who’ve served our country. But the film doesn’t stop there. It weaves threads of hope and courage, illuminating the resilience that resides within us all.

Australia’s nights are haunted by 6,000 veterans – heroes who once wore uniforms and carried our nation’s pride. Now, they navigate the shadows, their battles far from over. But what about the teenagers? How many young souls wander these same streets, their dreams shattered by circumstance? Youth on the Streets report there was 40,000 young people homeless or displaced in Australia alone on any given night. We must amplify their voices too.

Our film: A beacon of HOPE

Say My Name isn’t just my story; it’s a collective anthem. It speaks of hope rising from despair, of courage in the face of adversity. Let’s share it far and wide—to empower others, to ignite conversations, and to remind the world that every life matters.

Follow our journey on Instagram: @say.my.name.film

If you would like to share your story and be part of empowering others in our live and online events and on this website, go here.

Your story matters. It’s a beacon—a lighthouse cutting through the fog of indifference. Thank you for sharing it, for weaving hope into the fabric of our collective existence.

Tag: purpose

Finding your Purpose: a journey of Rediscovery

From Despair to Hope: My journey through homelessness