How Do I Know What Is My Mission in Life? (I)

Question:

I've been told that each one of us has a specific, individual mission in life. How do I know what mine is?

Answer:

We begin our day each morning by saying the birchot hashachar – the morning blessings. One of these blessings reads as follows: "Blessed are you G‑d our G‑d, King of the universe, Who directs the steps of man." In this blessing we are acknowledging G‑d for a gift many of us take for granted--the ability to walk.

There is also an underlying message that can be gleaned from this blessing. This can be understood in light of the verse that the blessing comes from: "The steps of man are directed by G‑d" (Psalms 37:23). The Baal Shem Tov, who gave us a deeper insight into the meaning of Divine Providence, explains this verse in the following manner. Although we go about our daily tasks at what seems to be our own initiative and will, our steps are "guided" for a spiritual and loftier purpose. We end up in a specific place so that we will have the opportunity to do a mitzvah, help someone in need, or to pass on a positive message.

In short: You don't have to worry about finding your mission. G‑d will direct your steps to the location where you mission lies; He'll orchestrate the circumstances to ensure that you have the position and tools to execute your mission. The challenge is to seize the moment and utilize every opportunity you have to do more good. When you find yourself in a specific place and situation, that itself is the greatest indication that there is something for you to accomplish there.

Another important hint: it is specifically in tasks which you find most difficult to carry out in which you need to place the most effort. Because true achievement only comes through challenge, there will be many more obstacles and challenges placed in your path when a particular assignment is the one that you, specifically, need to accomplish...