When my  husband and I were in college, we got the biggest thrill out of digging through the “trash” students left behind after they vacated campus each summer. Because many of them traveled home via airplane, they discarded the larger items they had accumulated throughout the year because, I assume, they didn’t want to go to the trouble – or expense – of shipping them home.

Their loss was our gain! Our dumpster-diving excursions yielded treasures like a Nintendo gaming system (with about 10 games included), a like-new microwave and mini fridge, a vacuum cleaner, and various furniture pieces and kitchen gadgets.

Although I don’t do a lot of dumpster diving anymore (my kids would disown me), I still brake for treasures I find along the road.

Free chairs

But more importantly, in the same way my husband and I bravely dove through those dumpsters during college, we all need to do a little soul rummaging now and then to uncover the treasures inside us that should be cultivated and contributed to the world.

In today’s podcast episode, I explain how to search for clues from your past and present that will reveal your deepest passions and help you find your purpose in life. I firmly believe that living out our divine calling is one of the keys to a joyful, fulfilling and peaceful existence.

Ready to dive into today’s podcast?

Click below to listen to the full, 27-minute episode.

Download Episode #005: Dumpster dive to uncover your life’s purpose

Episode 5 notes and resources

• Psalm 139
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Psalm 37:4

“Creating your personal life plan” by Michael Hyatt

Evaluate your life with these six questions: (To get the free worksheets that accompany these questions, see Pages 17-19 of my e-book.)

1. What have I accomplished that has made me feel significant?
2. What projects/moments have brought me joy and satisfaction?
3. What have I been praised for?
4. How would I like to make a difference in the world?
5. What causes/situations have moved me emotionally, compelling me to take action?
6. What do I want people to say about me at my funeral?

Explore patterns of opportunity

1. When was I called upon as a subject matter expert or asked for advice on a topic?

Look for time sinks

1. What could I do for a long time without paying attention to the clock?

Assess your natural talents, skills and strengths

1. What do I seem to be good at doing?

Don’t forget you can now subscribe to my podcast in iTunes, so you never miss an episode and can listen at your convenience on your mobile device.

Subscribe in iTunes

Feedback

Launching the Living Rich on Less podcast has been a growth experience for me. I am working hard to get better with each episode. I welcome your feedback on how I can improve. And I’m always looking for fresh topics for future episodes.

I hope you’ll consider rating my podcast in iTunes and leaving me a review. And, as always, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section of this blog post.

Are you ready to do some dumpster diving?

I’m linking this up to Women Living Well.