DOZEN IT: Stop Seeking Purpose
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator ... advancing Character Leadership and Education ... to move forward together, stronger ... engaging change.
This is the next installment in The Dozen It Series. Last month, Dozen It dove into Appreciating What We Hate. In August, Dozen It explored the importance of character. In the July 2020 issue, we dug into how to keep a promise. In June, we explored 4 Questions for Commitment. In May, it was some thoughts on self care. Way, way back in April, in the first issue, I offered thoughts around Confidence. I suggest they are all worth a bit of a deep dive as they are responses to questions I have had over the years. And, Dozen It is a monthly series addressing questions I have gotten over these years. Today, we are on to purpose. Purposefulness is a virtue.
Consider it. Read the card. Reflect on it. For me, I have long been reminded... and have long suggested ... that Purposefulness is Joyfulness.
Emily Esfahani Smith might suggest meaning is happiness.
The proverbially late and great Sir Ken Robinson might suggest it is the "element".
I know that over these 40 years in my work, I have been asked about purpose and developing a sense of same. To be honest... somehow, inherently and innately, I have always believed in purpose. I think, deep down, if we are courageously truthful and open in listening to our Soul, we all believe; and we know it.
When I was 22, I was exposed to the work of Richard Nelson Bolles and What Color is Your Parachute? Get the book. I have multiple copies as it comes out afresh each year. I have more often than not ... listened to its Wisdom. That said, in answer to why purpose matters, here consider:
- Life is difficult. Not just for me or other ALS patients. Life is difficult for everyone. Finding ways to make life meaningful and purposeful and rewarding, doing the activities that you love and spending time with the people that you love - I think that's the meaning of this human experience. Steve Gleason
You can decide whether meaning matters. I believe it does, deeply. But, if so, how do we find it? I suggest that it finds us, if we but put ourselves out there. We cannot be guided unless we move. To move, we must find our Hell Yeahs.
My Purpose found me after my stroke 5 years ago ... in starting to blog on LinkedIn. It found me in this pandemic in the new video work I am ever increasingly loving to do; for which I am certain and thankful. It finds me in my own lifelong and ever winding exploration of my own sense of Justice. It finds me when I notice my Watchmen.
Indeed and in deed, I increasingly find that it is about moving and stillness ... and being aware in both. You see, I suggest that your purpose is not found as some life changing and shattering and defining event, but in following the tracks and the blood... all along the way. And it keeps finding you. It is a lifelong hunt... but it is hunting you... and it is best done each step being aware of same. Being out there and living, it finds you.
That requires Courage.
It requires character, period.
I humbly suggest we each must practice such. That has been my practice and observation over the years. Each moment, being aware if I feel called to something, and accepting it's invitation if I do. The times I have done so have offered brilliance. The times I have not, not so much. Oh, I have had my moments where I did not rise to the call. They are lessons for me. I have had many more where I did... and I am thankful. They too have taught.
That said, my own purpose still unfolds and finds me.
I need continue to listen; to move and be still.
There is Wisdom in both.
Movement and stillness.
There is Mindfulness, Perceptiveness, Truthfulness, Honesty and Openness in both.
There is character in practicing both. It matters. It really does.
To rise to our little calls along the way requires such, and results in us taking those steps necessary for purpose to find us. It is not some mountain top where we see everything. It is found in taking each step with Trust.
And, we need more Soulful Purposefulness in this world.
As I spend this weekend both relaxing and working, I am ever more clear on my own personal sense of daily mission unfolding... ever aware of its enduring capacity to find me. I know that I deeply seek to explore the art and science of character leadership for a better world. This grounds and founds me personally and professionally... my work and play and life. While I see myself as no "master" ... but a student... I think this is the path LP Jacks suggested desirous in life.
- “A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.”
So, in answer to why is it important... check out the above. In answer to how do we find our own. Get out there and live... try, listen, observe and be aware of the hunt. Purpose is looking for you. Remember:
- “What you seek is seeking you.” ― Rumi
It will show up.
And hey,,, slower ain't bad at all.
... peace, passion and prosperity.
Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage
Lead, inspire, educate, and unite. Move forward together, stronger. My work is about bringing campuses, companies and communities together, moving forward stronger. I work with educators, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders to do just that. My work is about character leadership and education and its role in helping individuals and organizations build a better world at school, work, business and community. I deliver on it through speaking, coaching and development in character leadership and education. My expertise is character leadership and education. I advance unity in diversity by moving the needle on leadership and education that is high character and results forging. I speak, teach, coach, facilitate, lead, write, sing, dance, cartoon and create on that. In 1980, Professor Rolf Hattenauer changed my life. A highly respected expert in Human Resource Management, he expected much of us and he believed much in us. He was an educator and leader of high character. He was extraordinary. To this day and beyond, I try my darnedest to honor his spirit with my own work. That is another story. But I hope I did him service here.
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