What Breaks Your Heart?
Have you ever witnessed something unfair, heartbreaking, or deeply wrong and felt like you had to do something about it? Maybe it was an injustice, a cause, or a group of people in need. Sometimes, purpose isn’t just about what we enjoy—it’s about what we can’t ignore.
The things that move us the most, that stir something deep inside us, often hold clues to what we’re meant to do.
Finding Purpose in What You Care About Most
Many people find purpose not by asking, What do I want to do with my life? but instead by asking, What breaks my heart?
For example:
Someone who has seen animals suffer may feel called to advocate for animal welfare.
A person who has experienced discrimination may dedicate themselves to fighting for equality.
Someone who grew up in a difficult home environment might feel a deep responsibility to support children in similar situations.
Purpose often comes from a sense of responsibility—not because someone told us to care, but because we can’t imagine not caring.
Jane Goodall: A Life of Protecting What She Loves
Jane Goodall, one of the world’s leading conservationists, didn’t set out to become famous or change the world. She simply loved animals.
As a child, she was fascinated by wildlife and dreamed of living among them. That passion led her to Tanzania, where she studied chimpanzees and made groundbreaking discoveries about their behavior. But the more she learned, the more she realized they were in danger—facing habitat destruction, poaching, and mistreatment.
She could have remained a scientist, simply observing. Instead, she became an advocate, dedicating her life to protecting chimpanzees and their environment. Her purpose wasn’t something she chose—it was something she felt deeply responsible for.
Her story is a reminder that sometimes, purpose finds us when we pay attention to what we care about most.
Purpose often comes from a sense of responsibility—not because someone told us to care, but because we can’t imagine not caring. Purpose doesn’t have to start with a big action. It often begins with a simple decision to care—and to do something, no matter how small.
What Do You Feel Called to Protect?
You don’t have to be an activist or a scientist to make a difference. The desire to protect and care for something can shape your everyday choices.
Consider these questions:
What situations or issues make you feel angry, sad, or deeply moved?
Is there a cause or problem you find yourself thinking about over and over again?
If you could help one person, group, or cause, what would it be?
Sometimes, the things that trouble us the most are the very things we are meant to help change
Identify What Moves You
Take a moment to reflect on the questions above. Then, write down:
One issue, cause, or problem that deeply moves you.
One small way you could contribute—whether that’s learning more, volunteering, or supporting someone working on the issue.
Purpose doesn’t have to start with a big action. It often begins with a simple decision to care—and to do something, no matter how small.
Wellbeing Assessment
Your wellbeing matters. Take five minutes to learn if you are suffering, surviving or thriving in five essential areas of life and what you can do to improve your wellbeing. Try it now.
Our Services
Our Emotionally Focused approach to Counselling Therapy will help you recognize how situations trigger emotional reactions so you can respond to problems and challenges and enjoy life more fully.
Emotionally Focused Couple and Family Therapy therapy helps families understand attachment needs and fears, repair bonds, and communicate in more helpful ways.
Derrick McEachern is a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) in Nova Scotia, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. He specializes in providing mindfulness-based and emotionally focused therapy. He offers workshops and webinars and consults with businesses on ways to improve employee wellbeing and mental health.
Derrick McEachern, M.Ed., RCT, CCC
Counselling Therapist, Owner
Five Star Wellbeing Counselling and Mental Health
tel: 902 698 1194
derrick@fivestarwellbeing.com
https://fivestarwellbeing.com
