Have you ever wondered what your "purpose" is? I'm sure it's safe to say that just about all of us have, at one time or another, asked this very question. I know that I have asked this question countless numbers of times; to myself, to others, to God. And, it wasn't until relatively recently that I came to understand what my purpose was; what it is that I was meant to do on this earth.
Before I go ahead and give you the insight on my grand revelation, let me give you a little history about my quest in finding my "purpose". For as long as I can remember, I have thought that my purpose in life was to help and protect others. That is one of the main reasons why I joined the military when I left high school. It's also the reason that I applied numerous times with numerous law enforcement agencies after I left the Navy. For those of you that know me well, you know that it's the reason that I spent several years trying to get back into the military following 9/11. When I was unable to reenter the military for numerous reasons, it's the reason that I sought out other ways to "help" people. I worked as a case manager for a housing program for the homeless for a while. That was rewarding, but eventually the rewards became less and less. So I decided to try my hand as an adult probation officer. That sounded like a great job, I got to help people AND help protect the community. But eventually, that too began to provide me with less and less personal satisfaction. However, as luck would have it, it was right around the time that I started to notice less and less personal satisfaction as a probation officer that I learned why I was here; what I was meant to do.
Are you ready for the revelation? Drum roll please…. What I was meant to do, what you are meant to do, is to be happy. That's it. Seems simple enough doesn't it? Your purpose in life is to do what ever makes you happy. Man's purpose in life is to live the most abundant, full and happy life possible. It seems simple, yet so many of us spend our lives trying to find our "purpose." Many of us let the true purpose of our lives slip by in pursuit of something "greater." But I ask you this, what can be greater than fulfilling your true life's purpose.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Do you believe?
Wow, did you see the Super Bowl game last night? What a good game. Since my beloved Cowboys were out of it, I had just hoped to see a good game, and I definitely wasn't disappointed. This morning when I was thinking about it a little bit more, I realized that I came away with some very powerful thoughts after watching the game.
First, I am greatly reminded to NEVER underestimate the power of believing in yourself, your abilities, and what you can have and accomplish. All of the so called experts and professional prognosticators gave the NY Giants little hope of even making a game of this much less a chance to actually win. But the Giants didn't buy in to that. Why? I'll tell you why. I'm sure that every player, coach, and trainer, to a man, believed in themselves, their teammates, and their desire and ability to win and hoist that Lombardi Trophy in celebration. I can promise you that each of them pictured that moment in their mind; the moment after the win when they could hold that trophy up high. I bet each of them could actually feel what it would feel like when they won. It was that emotion coupled with their desire and unwavering belief that produced the victory. When interviewed after the win, Eli Manning said that they believed that they could win, even when it seemed that no one else in the country did. The Giants were a wild card team. They weren't supposed to even make to the Super Bowl much less win; according the all the experts. Remember what I've said before? It doesn't matter what your background or where you come from. No one puts limitations on you except for you.
Secondly, I think about the Patriots pursuit of excellence and the perfect season. I'm sure that none of the New England players were thinking they would lose last night. Even with less than a minute to play in the game, quarterback Tom Brady appeared to be cool, calm and faithful that they would win. Unfortunately for Tom and the rest of the New England players, the game of football has a clock that determines when play stops. New England didn't walk away with their first loss of the season because they quit or didn't have a desire to win; they merely ran out of time on the game clock. Lucky for us the "game" of life lasts a little bit longer than 60 minutes. But, there is a time limit on life, just like there is on a football game. Do you want to wait until the clock is winding down on your life to act? The time to act is now. The only time that we live in is NOW. There is no tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes.
Whatever it is that you want; whatever it is that you desire; YOU CAN HAVE IT. You just have to see it, believe it, and feel it in your heart. Don't believe me? Just ask Eli Manning and the rest of the NY Giants.
First, I am greatly reminded to NEVER underestimate the power of believing in yourself, your abilities, and what you can have and accomplish. All of the so called experts and professional prognosticators gave the NY Giants little hope of even making a game of this much less a chance to actually win. But the Giants didn't buy in to that. Why? I'll tell you why. I'm sure that every player, coach, and trainer, to a man, believed in themselves, their teammates, and their desire and ability to win and hoist that Lombardi Trophy in celebration. I can promise you that each of them pictured that moment in their mind; the moment after the win when they could hold that trophy up high. I bet each of them could actually feel what it would feel like when they won. It was that emotion coupled with their desire and unwavering belief that produced the victory. When interviewed after the win, Eli Manning said that they believed that they could win, even when it seemed that no one else in the country did. The Giants were a wild card team. They weren't supposed to even make to the Super Bowl much less win; according the all the experts. Remember what I've said before? It doesn't matter what your background or where you come from. No one puts limitations on you except for you.
Secondly, I think about the Patriots pursuit of excellence and the perfect season. I'm sure that none of the New England players were thinking they would lose last night. Even with less than a minute to play in the game, quarterback Tom Brady appeared to be cool, calm and faithful that they would win. Unfortunately for Tom and the rest of the New England players, the game of football has a clock that determines when play stops. New England didn't walk away with their first loss of the season because they quit or didn't have a desire to win; they merely ran out of time on the game clock. Lucky for us the "game" of life lasts a little bit longer than 60 minutes. But, there is a time limit on life, just like there is on a football game. Do you want to wait until the clock is winding down on your life to act? The time to act is now. The only time that we live in is NOW. There is no tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes.
Whatever it is that you want; whatever it is that you desire; YOU CAN HAVE IT. You just have to see it, believe it, and feel it in your heart. Don't believe me? Just ask Eli Manning and the rest of the NY Giants.
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