things left behind

i often wounder about what life. whats is the purpose and why am i here? why are we all here? i am sure you all have asked that question some point in your life also. but have you found the answer? i have been thinking about all the skills, talents and passions i have, and how i can use them. why i even have them. and why am i not using them all. do you have any that you don't use? i am sure you do.
my wife and i have been reading "the purpose driven life" by Rick Warren. the book has been sitting on my self for some time now untouched, i picking it up one night and reading the first few pages i thought man i am going to do this. there was so much good information that i need that i wanted to do it with esha. so one night i grabbed it and started telling her about it and now we read it nightly. so far i can relate to this book. things hit right at home when i read through the chapters. tonights was great. What drives your life? is it guilt,resentment and anger,fear, materialism, or approval? a little but of everything for me. but i woke me up a bit, the biggest one for me is to have the approval of others. and fearing what they think of me. am i living up to there standards? like for instance my tattoo. many people look down at them. mine is plain as day on my right forearm. its a cross with three nails in it. i found it to be a great reminder for myself to live for God. and also to stand up for what i believe in. some say that i should not need a reminder but i tell you it keeps me in check. and out of trouble... but down here i get looks. so i think to myself what are they thinking about? are they judging me?
i always fear what others think of me, trying to please everyone! i want to use all of my talents and passions but as i read (and from what others tell me) i need to stop. yeah i do have a lot to give, but i need to focus on what it is i am giving and how/who i am giving it to. a good question for me to keep in mind, is this work or use of my passion/ talent going towards work for God? if its not than i need not to do it. plus i need not to worry about what others are going to say because i am not going to do it. whatever it may be.
so far i am learning a lot form this book. i know it will continue. if you have not read this book you need to. when you have questions like why am i here and what am i doing with my life. it makes you think about everything that God has giving you, and is there a purpose for your life.