I am one of the rare few that LOVES my job. I have passion for being a therapist. It is an amazing career and believe it or not- I have known I wanted to do this from age 12. My parents divorced when I was ten, and I started counseling shortly after. It was a great experience. I remember one day coming home and telling my mom that I wanted to help people the way my therapist was helping me. At that point I had a vision and passion for helping. My passion grew as I aged. While traveling the world on missions trips, I worked in one of Mother Teresa’s homes in India and held children in a Chinese orphanage- I knew my calling was to have compassion for people in pain. These experiences “moved” me. It struck me at the core of my soul that I was made to do this. It is my purpose.

I talk with many people who are missing this in their life. They are seeking meaning and purpose in life and struggle trying to find it. I often give them an exercise to help them discover what moves them by asking things like, “When have I felt confident that I had something to offer?” If you struggle finding this kind of meaning in life, it is important to experiment with different options. It may not mean a career change, but maybe in the form of a hobby or volunteer work. Start your internal assessment today and take an inventory of the times in your life where you can pinpoint an ounce of enjoyment. Now start exploring it. There is no reason that you need to settle for a passionless life. It’s time to start living your purpose today!

Teri Claassen MSW, LCSW is a licensed therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Teri enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, couples and relationship counseling. Teri also does family counseling, child counseling, and adolescent counseling.  Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area, including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, and Westfield.