INSPIRING PURPOSE IN LIFE

“The Courage of Integrity” defines two pillars of success – benchmarks that any of us should leverage as we make life-changing decisions and chart the road upon which we might wish to travel. In all that we do we should recognize that “The highest courage (we can exhibit) is daring to be ourselves in the face of adversity.” How many times do we take the easy path rather than choosing the “road less traveled?” How often do we seek the path of least resistance rather than taking a stand for what is right – for what we know to be true – regardless of the personal cost? Being true to yourself by openly expressing your ideals and honestly revealing your beliefs to others – regardless of what they may think about you – is not always the easiest route to take BUT it almost always returns the greatest rewards.

Recognizing that “There is never a wrong time to do the right thing” is the foundation upon which ongoing and sustainable success should be built. Individuals attempting to portray perfection in whatever they do or say spend much more time avoiding what is wrong than they do striving to accomplish what is right. Trying to identify (then implement) all the things we feel are necessary to be an exemplary leader (partner or friend) often places artificial roadblocks along life’s path that are difficult to avoid as we may never meet our self-fabricated expectations nor maintain the standards that we feel should be displayed. Rather than simply leading (or living) by example and allowing people to see their true colors, far too many try to be someone they are not or do something they feel is expected rather than just doing what seems and feels right. True success is more a measure of who one is while nobody else is looking…of living consistently and transparently rather than concealing our true thoughts or lingering within the shadows…than it is a testament to the things that we do in public to receive accolades or recognition.

We need not look far to find other motivational messages that can help to provide purpose in life. Some would include: 

• “We cannot lower the mountain so we must elevate ourselves.” This is sage wisdom for an individual seeking to climb the ladder of success. We cannot expect mountains to become molehills on their own – we must rise to the top of every challenge, continuously moving forward even though we may fall temporarily back, as we aspire to reach the pinnacle if we are to succeed. Some seek recognition by actively diminishing those around them…by tearing others down rather than building themselves up…ultimately discovering that their own position has not changed as their floor was lowered but their ceiling (potential) did not move. 

• “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Many people find satisfaction in bringing the hopes and dreams of others to fruition. Others find such satisfaction hollow – preferring to realize their own dreams. If one never attempts to accomplish their individual dreams, he or she will never fail or be disappointed. Rarely will a person having insignificant goals or setting low standards for their own performance ever be happy with their accomplishments If we do not establish a target – formalize a dream – we will never taste the success of individual accomplishments. 

• Some people say things and say “Why?”  Others dream things and say, “Why not?”  To life for what might be POSSIBLE rather than settling for what is PROBABLE, NEVER blindly accept things as they are (or appear to be) without question. Always seek what could be “if only” or what might not yet have been realized in life. Doing only what others request or seek defaults your boundaries to the limits that can be set for you. Asking “why” or “why not” expands your boundaries to the limits established within your own mind – stretching the probable into the possible as you travel new roads and experience unconsidered adventure. 

• Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. Life is an ongoing series of events whose purpose is revealed only when we exhibit the courage to remain singularly strong in the face of adversity – when we make a conscious and intentional decision to do what is right rather than being concerned about avoiding what is wrong. We should always look ahead – take every step with purpose - as we keep our focus forward (towards where we are going) rather than back (finding satisfaction only in where we have been). Though one can never get lost if he or she has no idea where they are going, they will never know if they have reached their destination until it has been purposefully (and publicly) expressed after being intentionally determined. 

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  One can be invested without being committed but once committed it is difficult to uninvest. A chicken and a pig walked past a diner one morning and saw that it was offering eggs and bacon for breakfast. The chicken was proud of her investment in the meal as she spoke loudly of the eggs she provided. The pig was quiet until he finally said that “the chicken was invested in the meal” when eggs were gathered BUT that his contribution required him to be committed fully as there was no turning back on the provision of bacon. One can change investments easily, but it takes much more thought and consideration to change course once fully committed.

Much can be learned from our past…from building upon the blocks we were given in kindergarten as we move towards a future far more complicated and full of choices. More, however, can be gained if we identify our dreams and acknowledge their existence (and taking intentional action to bring them to fruition) than will ever be accomplished by taking the easy road or accepting the first option available. We must simply believe in ourselves (and in those we hold dear around us) to move forward through life. We must accept nothing but our best – and expect the best from those around us – to experience sustainable and long-lasting success. Life is what YOU make of it…what YOU do with the tools and resources you were given when born. Do not find yourself living the dreams of others…doing the bidding of someone else…doing only what has been tested and proven successful…if you wish to make a difference in this world. Finding purpose and living life as it was meant to be requires one to live life beyond what comes easy and do more than considered necessary by those around them.