Recently, I was faced with an interesting challenge: defining ‘sense of purpose’ for our virtual classes. I was asked which classes I would consider falling under that category.

At first, my instinct was to say all of them. After all, every class we offer provides learning, friendship, and new opportunities – things that absolutely contribute to a sense of purpose. But as I thought about it more, I realized I couldn’t just paint every class with the same broad brush. I needed to be more intentional in my answer.

So, I took a step back and asked myself: What does it mean to not have a sense of purpose? That was actually easier to define. It’s not knowing what you’re doing or what your day looks like. It’s lacking a goal, a direction, or an understanding of the impact you have—on yourself, on others, on the world around you.

And that led me to the real question: What creates a sense of purpose?

It starts with taking care of ourselves. Waking up with a routine that sets us up for the day. Moving our bodies. Doing things we love, like making art or listening to music. These are the building blocks of feeling like a purposeful, productive person.

So when I came back to the original question—Which LubDub classes fall under ‘sense of purpose’?—I knew the answer was the classes that provide a foundation for our members.

For us, that means:

• Good Morning – Our morning routine class that starts the day on the right foot.

• Music, Art, and Exercise – The staples that keep us moving, creating, and engaged throughout the week.

• Signing to Songs – An extra special class where the purpose is clear: expanding our communication skills and connecting with others through language.

This whole process taught me something important: sometimes, to really define something, you have to take a few steps back and find its foundation. In this case, understanding ‘sense of purpose’ meant breaking it down to what makes us feel fulfilled, engaged, and with both feet planted.

Author, Shelley Murphy, Executive Director/Co-Founder