Meaning and purpose...

It is a tough world out there.  Violence, hatred, sexism, racism, ageism, all the other “ism’s”.  On top of the numerous obstacles life throws our way like COVID, cancer, autism, accidents, financial problems, job loss, family issues, deaths, etc.  We can easily get caught up in the negativity of it all.  

I sadly read a social media post from a high school friend (who was always super positive) this past week where she shared a beautiful picture of a sunset.  Just a wonderful beach photo with the sun, water, beach…  Her caption mentioned that she had been waiting a year to post this incredible photo because she did not want to appear tone deaf to everything going on around us affecting so many people.  On one hand she is absolutely correct, but on another we need to continue to live and try to make this world a better place for the short time we are here.

“The purpose of life is to discover your gift.  The work of life is to develop it.  The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” (Viscott/Picasso)

A simple quote with three focus points: discover, develop and give back.

What are our unique gift(s)? Understanding the answer to this question sets the table for developing our gift(s) and then sharing and giving back our gift(s).

We need to start at the beginning and understand what did we love to do as children?  What activities excited us?  What did we enjoy the most?   Fast forward and ask ourselves similar questions about today.  What are we passionate about? What makes us pop out of bed in the morning?  What things do we submerge into and lose track of time?  What gets our heartrate going?

Also, what is important to us ABOUT life?  How do we prioritize things like family, career, relationships, health, development, religion, recreation/hobbies, etc.?   And … what are some consistent themes IN our life?  Are we an achiever (for me, yes), an activator, a communicator, a competitor, a fixer (another yes), a strategic thinker, etc.

Lastly, what is important with our “tribe”?  Think of your 5-7 closest friends/family members (our personal Board of Directors) and what are their gifts that are unique to them?  Why do we value their relationship?   Ask them what they think our best gifts are?  What makes us valuable to them?

Once we’ve identified our gifts, it’s time to put them to work by exploring ways of building and developing our life around them. We can do this by understanding what we’re good at and getting creative with how we can use those talents to serve ourselves and others. But what does this actually mean? How can we tap the energy of our greatness and use it to make a positive impact on others? (Chopra)

At the end of the day, who we are, what we do, and how we show up is unique. Everything we share—whether it’s our bright smile, our compassionate heart, our sharp intellect, or our quality of presence—has a ripple effect on everyone around us and beyond. We matter to others in more ways than we might realize. To find our gift(s), the life we were meant to live, we must look inside. It's there, waiting for us to clear away all that is NOT me—the fears, beliefs, and wishes others have imposed on us, the defeatist attitude toward overcoming obstacles to our vision.  Find our gift and then work to develop it.

Once we discover our gift(s), we have to begin developing them to their full capacities. “If [our gift] is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:8).   Simply put, once we discover our gift, develop that gift to its full capacity to share with others. 

We often want praise for our gift without paying the price to develop it. We want the dream without the discipline. We want the platform before we’ve become proficient. We must remember we were given the raw ingredients of our gifts, but our responsibility is to add discipline and practice to those gifts.  (Remember the adage that in order to do something well, we must do it at least 10,000 times.)  We need to have the discipline and practice to refine our gift and allow it to make an increasingly positive difference with others.

Our talent isn’t born, but it’s developed and taken care of. As we’re living in technologically advanced and information rich times, we also get the tools we need to develop and impress. We’re only limited by our boundaries and there’s no better time for greatness but now.  Our world needs positive impact from all of us (especially now).

We should all have the chances, the determination, the talent and the will to reach our goals. Our inspirations may be so various, from writing to speaking or family. As long as we found our talent and we’re trying our best, we’re one step closer to becoming a better person.  Sharing our gift with others make us that much better.

So how do we give back?

Are we a savvy businessperson or entrepreneur?  Instead of giving away 10 percent of our money, give 10 percent of our fantastic business ideas to nonprofits (an idea from Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul).

If we’re an avid reader, pass on a book that could change someone’s life. The right book could help someone start a business, improve a relationship or provide a confidence boost.  Share what you learned. Read to children at a local library or school.

Love fitness? Sign up for a charitable walk or run and give to a cause we care about. Or, ask someone to work out with you and be a fitness mentor.  Ask a friend to take weekly walks.

Are we an animal lover? Consider fostering some four-legged friends from our local animal shelter. Offering to watch a neighbor’s pet.  Volunteering at our local pet stores.

Expert swimmer or diver? Volunteer to teach children how to swim or dive at our local pool or YMCA/YWCA.

If we have skills as an event planner, we can donate our time and talents to a fundraising event for a worthy organization or cause.

Are our thumb green? Lead a community garden project or teach kids how to care for flowers and plants.  Volunteer to sponsor a garden at a local elementary school.  Or are we a talented teacher or an expert in a specific subject such as writing or math? Talk to a local school about volunteering to be a tutor.

If we are highly empathetic? We can use this powerful emotional tool to lend an ear to someone in need. Look into organizations that work with at-risk youth or with teens who have gone through the juvenile detention system.  Or battered women shelters, etc.

Have a little extra cash in our wallet? Think about buying something for a stranger. Pick up the tab for the person behind us at the coffee shop or at the tollbooth on the bridge.  This is one of my favorites.  It pays forward.

Do we have a knack for photography? Offer to photograph a friend’s wedding, a home someone is putting up for sale, a child’s sports game, or the birthday party of one of our friend’s kids.

Love to cook or bake? Volunteer our talents at a local soup kitchen, food bank.

Give back.  Kindness is currency … it truly is.  Make an impact, strengthen your community, meet and support others, take the lead on giving back, share our expertise.  Step up and step out … because it just feels good.

Together.   We.   Win.