Statement of the Research. Knowing that we each have a purpose and living our lives in fulfillment of that purpose provides us with a sense of confidence, of satisfaction, and of direction that guides the development of our values, the decisions that we make about our lives and the way that we conduct our relationships with others. Often, people struggle with the process of discerning life's meaning and many make great ongoing efforts throughout their lives both to unravel the depths of that purpose and to align their actions so that their values, their decisions, and their work represent a consistent manifestation of their authentic being. This research gathers wisdom from the stories of those who have engaged this search, seeking inspiration from their satisfaction and joy, insight from their challenges, and understanding about the nature of a journey of purpose to spirituality through work from the uniqueness of their individual experiences.

The Research Design. The design used in this research has its foundation in critical hermeneutics and the research protocol is drawn from Herda (1999). Heidegger, Ricoeur, and Kearney offer insight as the main theoretical writers shaping the analysis. The data gathered weaves the voices of the research participants with that of the researcher and is analyzed using the categories of authenticity, oneself as another, and imagination.

Implications. The implications include valuable insight for individuals who seek greater purpose in their work. They also contain critical recommendations for changes to organizations and institutions in order to better orient the discourse about this issue so that genuine value is placed on supporting each individual in his or her call to express that purpose holistically in the activities that comprise an individual life. These implications emphasize the importance of reassessing the way that this journey is approached, the valuable dual role of memory and imagination in achieving satisfaction, the necessity of embracing change through reflective spirituality, and means to effectively discern authenticity. Other implications suggest the necessity of making radical changes to the way that employment is structured, adopting a new approach to the role of motherhood and traditional definitions of work to move beyond the current conflict regarding the choices that mothers make, and the importance of providing tools to help with the discernment process so that every person has the opportunity to pursue spiritual meaning through work. With spirituality rooted in the divine and action rooted in care and solicitude, a journey toward spirituality through work will be inescapably purposeful and inevitably joyful.