At this time it has been a week since I introduced a shortened version of my seminar Dare Yourself to a Toastmasters group in a local correction center. I co-facilitate the group with another Toastmasters member. We meet in a room provided by the State operated facility for men that are incarcerated for minor crimes. They could be there anywhere from 1 month to 5 years.

In the middle of my presentation one of the inmates asked me this question, What is my purpose and how would I know it when I do it. It was a very profound question in which many of us seemed to be lost in the state of confusion. Keep in mind that these men ended up there because of poor choices they had made along the way of their journey; poor choices without knowing any different.

I pondered for awhile before I answered that gentlemans question. Here is what came through as I was in Spirit (inspired). People have purpose and conviction mixed up.

When you were born into this life, that was your purpose. There isnt going to be a lightening bolt come down from the sky and say with a deep voice John, or Jane, this is what your purpose is supposed to be. From the time you were born everything you did or do is on purpose.

For example, you eat on purpose to stay alive. You exercise on purpose to stay healthy. You put gas in your car on purpose to get from point A to point B.

There is a misconception about the word purpose. What they are really missing out on in their life is conviction. I tried to help him understand by explaining it this way; when you do something on purpose, it is followed by a result. Conviction is where you take charge of the choices and follow through with your heart. This shows your passion which equals a result----therefore your purpose. Purpose is nothing more than the true result of your conviction.

Tony Masiello 2006