Living your Purpose?

   For a couple of decades now I have been reading self help books and other material which urges you to live you life's purpose. They are all written by people who have come up against adversity and more or less been forced to change their attitudes and turn their lives around. I often used to think that it was alright for them as things had turned out well but what about those who are struggling within a situation that cannot just be dropped to the floor and run away from. 
   In this respect I always felt it was harder for women to accomplish not only their goals but also to get into the right frame of mind to allow themselves to have aspirations. So often, whether they willingly accepted the role or not, women are responsible for home, family, nourishment, extended family, entertainment and not least of all also to have a job that pays part of the mortgage etc. The very thought of breaking free meant disaster for those around as they would have to readjust their own expectations and life styles to 'fit'. The inevitable reactive forces of those involved often create a massive backlash of discontent all of which is aimed at the woman concerned. 
   Perhaps this is the 'weakness' of women - putting others first, regardless of the burden and stress it causes. The 'strength' of women however, is to pull through no matter what. This is the power behind every throne or indeed 'successful' man.
Despite these words I am not particularly a feminist. What I do see and feel is a great need for cooperation rather than competition and not just between the sexes. 
   It is possible to achieve a greater sense of freedom through positive and supportive partnership than may be achieved by going it alone. If each person utilises their skill to the best advantage of both/all then so much more can be attained, including a sense of freedom from the life limiting constrictions that our culture imposes upon us. I believe we are at a tipping point where this is concerned and a new future is rapidly dawning on us. 
   It is incumbent upon us all to build our societies upon cooperation and magnanimity then we shall free not only ourself but all others to a life well lived. It will thus be possible to find one's life purpose, at present buried deep under layers of 'duty', and not only live it but also celebrate it in each other and ourselves!