Your Purpose Is Found Where Your Heart Breaks

What's something in the world that breaks your heart a little? The thing you can't look away from. The thing you can't just wait for someone else to fix.

For me, it's seeing brilliant immigrants shrink themselves because they're afraid their accent or background will hold them back.

I've been that person too — sitting in college classes, afraid to speak because I thought no one would understand me.

And it's seeing how the political climate can shift, making people who came here with dreams wonder if hard work will still be enough.

It breaks my heart to see people who followed the rules, studied hard, contributed at work and in their communities — only to feel like all of it might still not be enough to stay in the country.

It's like training hard, playing your heart out at a soccer game and halfway through, the goalpost is changed to the size of a basketball hoop.

I've been there. Before I became a U.S. permanent resident and later a citizen, there were seasons when things looked bleak, and I felt helpless and hopeless.

I remember this when I talk to people in that position today, and it breaks my heart a little.

I recently came across Jay Shetty's commencement speech to the Princeton Class of 2025, where he said: "Your purpose is found where your heart breaks."

I have been reflecting on this. We think purpose should feel like excitement. But most days, it just feels like responsibility.

I'm no Jay Shetty. But I do what I can. It's why I write and share my own journey. It's why I mentor. It's why I started a podcast. To share stories and encouragement for anyone navigating this journey, and to remind them that their voice matters and they can do it too.

So if you're searching for your own purpose: look closely at the thing that breaks your heart a little. That's not your weakness. That's your assignment.