What My Purpose is Not!

I've been reading and referring to this book titled "How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci" by Michael J. Gelb for some time now. And I must say, its hands down one of the most effective and influential "self-help" books I've come across, especially as an artist. I did this writing prompt the other night which asks you to question what your purpose is NOT rather than what it is, so you can pinpoint the things in your life that you don't want to be and do not tolerate. So I tried it out, and definitely found some benefit and thought I'd share it here.

"My purpose is not being a slave to a human being. I don't respect nor revere anyone enough to do everything they say except the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and he is no longer with us. My purpose is not to be doing a job or act that deep down I know I do not want to or should not be doing. My purpose is not to live beneath my means or to downplay my knowledge and capabilities. It is not to be patient with those who deserve reprimand, it is not be unjust to those who deserve patience. My purpose is not to shy away from condemning evil, for if I do, then I commend it. My purpose is not to be a solitary individual. It is not to become a recluse who writes and makes art, and dwells upon that which he loathes and regrets. My purpose is not to be weak or flimsy in my beliefs and principles. It is not to be fake and inattentive, careless and wavering in regards to my life decisions. My purpose is not to be selfish. It is not to retain all good and provision to myself, nor to be ungrateful when provision is withheld. My purpose is not to lie about how I feel and to not act upon my intuition. It is not to be stubborn but also not to be so giving that I am stripped of dignity and respect. My purpose is not to quiet my person. It is not to shut up the parts of me that make me who I am, nor is it to be such an open book that even the low parts of my being are exposed."