Purpose Wellbeing
Keeping your Sense of Purpose
Written by Morgan Maynard, Auburn ‘08
As a military member or military spouse, the ever-changing environment, requirements and expectations can leave us feeling adrift. Find your people who have a common sense of purpose.
The Challenge
Create your own set of core values and build a community that enriches your value set.
In military life, we move constantly, away from lifetime friends, family and job opportunities, and then again, away from the new friends we’ve made into family at our duty stations. How do we keep grounded when we’re constantly being uprooted and replanted? The US Navy has three core values: Honor, Courage and Commitment. When we live with these core values in mind, we live the Navy ethos and stay grounded in our purpose as a Sailor. The people we work alongside also embody those core values, and when we hold each other to that high ideal, we stay rooted and keep our sense of purpose. Build a community that aligns with your core values the same way that all Navy Sailors hold the same core values.
Create your own set of core values. What ideals do you value the most in life? When you have a moment of question on what your purpose is, go back to those core values and check in with your feelings and actions.
Build a community that enriches your value set. Find your people, be it through spouses’ clubs, work friends, or actively reaching out to build your network. Alpha Xi Delta alumnae associations are a great place to start! In military sororities and veterans groups, female veterans can find a common sense of purpose with women who understand their background and commitment to service.