Sometimes, your life changes in the most unassuming of moments. For me, it wasn’t a grand epiphany atop a mountain or a wise mentor doling out life lessons over coffee. No, my purpose revealed itself on a stage filled with glitter, sass, and a slightly inebriated Elvis impersonator. But we’ll get to him later.

Let’s backtrack. I’d always thought “purpose” was this elusive, gargantuan idea you chase like a mirage in the desert—a destination you arrive at after years of planning, heartbreak, and deep meditation. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t meditating. I was writing press releases for a local Vegas show and eating leftover buffet desserts with unrepentant joy. The whole “purpose” thing didn’t even cross my mind because, truthfully, who has time to uncover some grand meaning of life when you’re trying to sound excited about a show featuring dueling pianos?

But fate—or, rather, my boss—had other plans.

The Night That Changed Everything (Kind Of)

One evening, our lead copywriter called in sick, leaving me—younger, eager, and frankly too green to say no—to step in for The Big Show. My job was simple: manage audience interviews for a pre-performance video. The act was a campy, sparkly production involving magic tricks, vocal renditions of old Rat Pack tunes, and gratuitous feather boas. A historian might call it "classic Vegas charm." I called it “two hours of improvised chaos.”

Walking onto the stage with a microphone in hand, my stomach was doing Cirque du Soleil flips. The spotlight was blinding—which I interpreted as the universe saying, “Well, Aurora, welcome to the fire.”

“You look nervous,” an older gentleman in the front row said, chuckling.

“Not nervous,” I shot back, adopting a smile that could sell blackjack lessons on the Strip. “Just regretting my career choices. But thanks for noticing!”

To my surprise, the crowd roared with laughter. That moment, something clicked. It wasn’t the glamour of the stage or the sequins (though I’ll admit I didn’t hate them). It was the visceral energy of connection—finding just the right words, watching people loosen up, seeing them feel seen. I’d been trying to capture that magic in writing, but there was something electrifying about doing it live.

The Lesson Lurking Beneath the Glitter

Every step of the night was a masterclass in human behavior. People came alive under the lights, sharing everything from their first kiss stories to terribly cheesy marriage proposals. (Yes, someone tried to work “Viva Las Vegas” into a romantic commitment. No, it did not go as planned.)

I realized something profound somewhere between my fifth and sixth audience interaction: I loved listening to people. I didn’t just hear their words; I wanted to understand the layers—the nervous laughs, the unpolished edges of their stories.

By the end of the night, I was buzzing—not from the free champagne they handed out backstage, but from the connection. My purpose had been dangling in front of me all along; I’d just been too caught up surviving Vegas’s whirlwind to recognize it.

What I Learned About Listening (And Life)

Here’s the thing: most of us are too busy performing to notice the signals our lives keep sending us. For me, it took Elvis impersonators and a sea of rhinestones to realize what truly lit me up wasn’t just storytelling—it was connecting through stories. It wasn’t about applause or approval (though let’s be honest, applause feels nice). It was about resonance.

If you’re in the same boat, unsure of what your “calling” is or if that word just feels overwhelming, take a deep breath. Here’s what I’ve learned about uncovering purpose in the unlikeliest places:

  1. Practice Saying Yes: Sometimes, what scares you is what shifts you. I could’ve said no to that impromptu hosting gig because, let’s face it, nothing in my English degree prepared me for glitter cannons. But stepping into the unknown landed me right where I needed to be.

  2. Notice What Energizes You: Pay attention to what gives you an adrenaline rush—not the “I need more caffeine” kind, but the “I can’t stop talking about this!” kind. That fire in your gut? That’s worth exploring.

  3. Look For Patterns: When I look back, my favorite moments—whether writing, hosting, or even chatting with strangers in grocery store lines—always involved connecting with people in authentic, unscripted ways. Start noticing what keeps showing up in your life.

  4. Stop Overthinking Purpose: Spoiler: it’s not dependent on a job title, a paycheck, or a ten-step plan. Sometimes your purpose looks more like a hobby or even a feeling. Let go of the pressure for it to feel monumental.

Purpose Isn’t a Straight Line (And That’s a Good Thing)

Here’s the funny part: I didn’t quit my job that night and announce to the world, “I have found my calling! Clear the way!” Honestly, I don’t think I even fully understood my purpose until years later, when I transitioned into writing about relationships and human connection. But that night planted a seed. What I discovered in myself that evening was the magic of feeling alive when I leaned into connection.

It took time to cultivate that feeling into my career (and spoiler, I still occasionally second-guess it because—hello, human nature). But now, when I sit at my desk writing about relationships, I channel the same spark that hit me that night under Vegas’s glowing marquee lights.

Your Stage Awaits

So, what’s the takeaway? Purpose doesn’t always come with a flashing sign (though in Vegas, occasionally it does). It sneaks up during the messy, unpredictable moments—the awkward conversations, the surprising laughs, the risks that pan out differently than you planned.

This isn’t just an article; it’s your cue to keep showing up. Say yes. Take the mic. Make jokes about your questionable career choices in front of strangers if you must. But most of all, trust that sometimes the unpolished moments can lead you to the most dazzling discoveries.

Because whether we’re under a spotlight or just fumbling through the audience, life has a way of revealing its purpose. You just have to say yes to the unexpected.