Have you been to a theme park? Disneyworld? Legoland? SeaWorld? Universal Studios?

The purpose of them all is roughly the same. It’s Joy, or at least, it’s entertainment. But the “theme” is so very different. Disney’s “Tomorrowland” has a science fiction theme. The “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios has the magical theme of the Harry Potter books. A theme comprises the sights, sounds, activities, background and characters through which this “joy” is created.

Our lives also have purpose. Each of us expresses our many gifts to the world in the form of a purpose statement or divine quality. For some of us, it has details such as:

• to create a safe and loving environment for my family.
• to help people find their perfect home.
• to write and sing songs that uplift people’s lives.
• to care for children born into adversity.

For others, the purpose may have fewer details, but be just as powerful:

• to love and be loved.
• to be happy, joyous and free.
• to make a difference.
• to live in harmony with all.

In addition to the purpose, most of us also have a theme. As with a theme park, a person’s theme is generally made up of the sights, sounds, activities, feelings and background of our lives so far. It is the lens through which we see life. Some themes that I’ve seen at work in people’s lives include:

• hard luck in a hard world (a victim’s theme)
• I can do anything if I put my mind to it
• I have to work hard to get somewhere
• nobody notices or understands me
• I’m a poor kid from humble beginnings
• it’s summertime and the livin’ is easy

Now the fun part. Put a purpose and a theme together. If they support each other, you have a great theme park (in a human).

For instance: If your theme is “to create a safe and loving environment for my family” and your theme is “I can do anything I put my mind to,” then I want to go to your theme park. You have a wonderful purpose and a theme that will support you.

But if your purpose and theme are at cross-purposes, look out! What if your purpose is “to love and be loved,” but your theme is “nobody notices or understands me?” Do you see how this is a recipe for love-lost or love misunderstood? I’d avoid that theme park.

A purpose is a hard thing to change. It’s our gift to the planet or the reason why we live. Life’s purposes do change, but generally over many years or as a result of profound introspection.

But a theme can be more easily changed to match our purpose. We have the power to change how we view life. We have the power to change the “sights, sounds, activities, feelings and background” through which we create our lives. Do we have a sad theme because of past sad experiences? Let’s change it—the future doesn’t have to be sad. Do we have a “Poor Me” theme? Let’s look around and see the abundance of God’s gifts that are available us and create a “Rich Me” theme.

We’ve all decorated our houses for a celebration or party. We know how to do themes. Let’s make an equal effort to make sure that our life themes are positive and reflective of how we wish to accomplish our purpose on this planet. When our purpose and themes are in alignment, the result is success!

If you were a theme park, what would you be?