Living with Purpose

Purpose...this one thing separates the happy people from the unhappy people.  Living with purpose is really the point of living.  Many people believe that it has to be big and showy and recognized by the crowd.  This isn’t the case at all.  In fact purpose, true purpose is small. 

There is something powerful about actually sitting down and finding what is your purpose by sorting through all the things we think are important.  We all have responsibilities;  bills to pay, others to answer to, things that must be done to keep life moving on, but what is it in your life that really drives you or makes you care?

There are corporations built on the dreams of one person or a group of people and that have achieved great things; shoes for the shoeless in foreign countries, clean water for those without, food for the hungry, etc., and all these are amazing things, but…not everyone can do those things because there are so many needs to be fulfilled in this world that these things are only, in the big picture, a small part.

I think sometimes we get overwhelmed with the idea that we don’t have much to offer and so give up on the idea that we have anything at all to give the world.  Change this perspective!  In fact, look for little things…

Today I walked the dogs at the beach and spotted an ocean bird that was dying.  It was on the sand and obviously not healthy or even able to be saved, but it was shivering and right at the water line and vulnerable to dogs and people, as it was a beautiful and busy day with tourists.

I took the two leashed I was holding, attached them to the fanny pack, (poop bag) that I wear and took two poop bags (who knew they were so handy?) and put one on each hand and picked up the suffering bird and took it to a rocky ledge and placed it in a nook up high where it would be warm and safe until it could either live or die.

I was amazed at how at a beach full of people, no one noticed this little bird sitting smack in the middle of the beach.  What was even more interesting is when a woman with five dogs surrounding her is fumbling around with something wearing pink bags on her hands, how that didn’t attract some attention!  It wasn’t a big thing, but I hope I made a difference in what was probably the last day of that bird’s life.  I know I have other things to accomplish in my life, but today, that was my purpose.

Sound goofy?  Maybe, but take a few minutes and sit with the idea of what you think you do well that makes a difference.  Maybe you are a great story teller or an amazing problem solver; maybe you have a way with kids or animals.  Are you a good listener?  Do you make the best pancakes or prettiest bouquet?

I know a woman that has a talent for making people feel special.  She always sends a card no matter what the holiday, even St. Patrick’s Day.  She remembers the birthday of her manicurist!  Her husband has a talent for taking care of people, especially the elderly and loves to be of service to those in their church.

I know another woman who is a great writer and likes to show off her local community and tell others about how special it is.  I work with a woman that is amazing at detail and really knows how to set atmosphere and make people feel special.  There is someone else I know that always has something funny to tell me and make me laugh.  A handyman I used to know would do incredible work and pay attention to detail; he made a simple stool one time for a client and the way he did it was beautiful.

I could tell you something special about every person I know.  Believe it or not, you make a difference every day and in ways you probably aren’t aware of.  Sometimes you look for it and sometimes is finds you.  It can be big, like saving a life but usually it will be small, like smiling at the homeless person on the curb or picking up litter on the path, but it makes a difference…to the world and to you.

 

---