The Journey to Peace While Figuring Out Your Purpose
By Rae Karim
When I think of the journey to peace and purpose, the song “Beans & Corn Bread” by Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five comes to mind. I first heard it in the movie Malcolm X years ago, and the melody has stuck with me, echoing in my mind ever since. The song itself is a comforting mix, much like the balance between peace and purpose—two elements we often hope will go hand in hand.
At first glance, it seems logical that where there is purpose, peace should naturally follow. But what happens when you’re not entirely comfortable with your purpose? What if the path that feels right doesn’t necessarily feel calm?
For instance, in my own experience, I became a certified grief coach and founded Good Grief Now!™, an international 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to grief support. I’m deeply grateful for this purpose, for the opportunity to serve and help others. Yet, despite this gratitude, I haven’t always felt at peace with it. And I’ve often asked myself why.
Reflecting on this, I think of how I became what some call an “adult orphan.” All my parents—including my maternal grandparents, godparents, mother and father—have passed away. The most significant losses, my grandfather and mother, occurred just 16 days apart in 2017. Out of that grief, I created Good Grief Now!™—starting it as a day party, of all things. It may sound contradictory, but it was necessary; there was a lack of traditional support for grievers. I wanted to offer something different.
But despite this, peace remained elusive. How could I feel calm when I was still reeling from such profound loss? And yet, four years later, during the pandemic, the nonprofit expanded into what it is today. I was doing meaningful work, but still, I struggled to find peace.
Through this journey, I began to realize that finding peace while figuring out your purpose is not always straightforward. There are a few insights that helped me navigate this process…

