Cover image of Life On Purpose

Life on Purpose

How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything

Victor Strecher

HarperOne (2016)

  • Emotional, Spiritual
  • Book, Premium Content, Resource Summary

Key Takeaways

  1. Purpose fuels resilience: A clearly defined life purpose lowers stress, sharpens focus, and helps you rebound from FND symptom flares.
  2. Values point the way: Naming and living your core values clarifies what matters most, guiding daily choices even when cognition or energy dips.
  3. Self-transcendence heals: Looking beyond yourself—toward family, community, or faith—can reduce inflammation and improve heart-brain health.
  4. SPACE habits sustain you: Prioritizing Sleep, Presence, Activity, Creativity, and Eating supplies the energy a purpose-driven FND journey requires.

The Essentials

Victor Strecher’s deeply personal narrative shows how embracing a self-transcending purpose can turn life’s hardest moments into motivation. Blending philosophy, neuroscience, and behavioural science, Strecher argues that when you align your daily habits with a bigger “why,” you gain measurable health benefits—from better sleep to stronger immunity.

For people living with Functional Neurological Disorder, these insights are more than inspirational. Purpose acts like an internal compass when symptoms disrupt plans or sap energy. A clear “north star” reduces decision fatigue, buffers stress responses, and keeps treatment goals meaningful. By pairing purpose with the SPACE lifestyle practices, readers learn practical ways to replenish willpower and move toward whole-person wellness.

Why This Matters for FND

Living with FND often involves uncertainty, fatigue, and feelings of dismissal. Strecher’s framework offers a concrete method to reaffirm that your life has value beyond your diagnosis. Cultivating purpose has been linked to lower inflammation and improved cardiovascular health—two areas frequently implicated in FND research. Implementing SPACE (Sleep, Presence, Activity, Creativity, Eating) habits can be scaled for low-energy days, making them realistic even during symptom spikes.

The Essentials

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Practical Applications

For Individuals with FND

Low-Energy Days

  • Spend five quiet minutes revisiting your purpose statement; jot one micro-action (e.g., send an encouraging text) that aligns with it.

Building Long-Term Wellness

  • Schedule daily “SPACE check-ins” (sleep log, brief mindful breath, gentle stretch, creative doodle, balanced snack) to keep energy reserves steady.

For Care Partners

Supporting Your Loved One

  • Ask open-ended questions about their values and purpose, then help them protect time or energy for the activities that express those values.

Caring For Yourself

  • Create your own mini-purpose statement and follow the same SPACE habits to guard against burnout.

When This is Most Helpful

  • Right after an FND diagnosis, when identity feels shaken
  • During symptom-management planning, to anchor goals
  • For caregivers seeking sustainable motivation and self-care

This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. It is not intended to replace professional consultation or treatment. Always consult qualified providers regarding your specific circumstances, symptoms, or questions.

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