Purpose in Life

Duration: 50 minutes

Materials: Paper, pens, colored pencils or crayons

Group Objectives:

  • Encourage self-reflection on strengths and values

  • Promote creative thinking about purpose and impact

  • Build group cohesion through shared discussion of meaning

Session Structure (50 Minutes)

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

  • Brief mindfulness grounding or a check-in prompt:
    “What’s one thing that gives your life meaning today?”

2. Introduction to the Activity (5 minutes)

  • Explain the three-part fold activity:

    • Left Column: Your strengths, gifts, talents

    • Right Column: Problems in the world that concern you

    • Middle Column: Creative ideas for how your gifts can address those problems

  • Emphasize: No pressure to be perfect—just authentic and open

3. Individual Work Time (15 minutes)

  • Distribute materials

  • Encourage participants to work quietly and reflectively

  • Prompt if needed:

    • Gifts = “What do people often thank you for?”

    • Problems = “What makes you feel angry, sad, or inspired to help?

4. Creative Visualization & Drawing (10 minutes)

  • In the center of the page, participants draw a vision of one of their ideas as if it already succeeded

  • Use color and symbols to express impact and hope

  • Optional background music to foster focus

5. Group Sharing & Discussion (10 minutes)

  • Invite volunteers to share part of their paper

  • Questions for discussion:

    • “What did you learn about yourself?”

    • “What idea excited you the most?”

    • “How could we support each other in taking one small step?”

6. Wrap-Up & Closing Reflection (5 minutes) 

  • Reflect: “What is one word you’re leaving with today?”

  • Thank participants for their openness

  • Option to hang drawings or keep for personal reflection

Facilitator Notes:

  • Normalize all kinds of responses—some participants may struggle to name strengths or may get emotional when identifying global issues

  • Be gentle, affirming, and curious

  • Offer a quiet opt-out space if needed

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Haiku Loop Group