The Path of Purposeful Projects
A True Life Example (Part 2)
In yesterday’s article, I left you wondering what my coach said about including my ‘imaginary’ Life On Purpose enterprise as one of the resources in the Yoga Journal article. Let’s pick up the story right there. Her reply:
"Sure, why not?" With that encouragement, I included Life On Purpose in the sidebar. A couple of months later, when the August '96 issue of Yoga Journal arrived on the newsstands, I was surprised to see that "Living Simply in a Complex World” was the cover story. I savored this unexpected exposure then, like any ambitious freelance writer needing to put food on the table, I turned my attention to my next assignment. Consumed by another fascinating Purpose Project profile, I even forgot that Life on Purpose had been introduced in the article.
I still remember exactly where I was sitting in my office the day the phone rang. Pausing from editing a piece that was due to be submitted in a few days, I answered the phone in my accustomed way, "Hello, this is Brad."
"Is this Life On Purpose?" an enthusiastic voice asked.
I paused, momentarily confused, and looked around my office. Well, yes, I guess it was. "Yes, this is Life On Purpose. How may I be of service?" I replied. The caller was a California psychologist who had just read the Yoga Journal piece. The message resonated with him, especially the idea of living a life of service, simplicity, and spiritual serenity.
"Could you send me some information about your organization?" he asked.
Again, with just a brief hesitation to cover my shock, I replied, "Sure. I'll send something to you in a few days." Of course, I didn't have any printed marketing material about Life On Purpose, not even a business card or brochure. But I did have a lot of ideas, and pages and pages of notes on my computer. I spent the next several days bringing Life On Purpose into existence.
After this first call, I began receiving emails and letters from people all over the world. They had read the Yoga Journal article and were attracted to the ideals of living on purpose. Over the next couple of years, Life On Purpose grew into Life On Purpose Institute. But I would never have brought this dream into the world if I had not followed the breadcrumb of my passion, fueled by the inspiration I received from the many people profiled within Project Purpose. Each time I received a new Project Purpose assignment, it was like receiving a booster shot for my own dreams.
For example, as Life On Purpose was coming together from just a spark of an idea, I met and interviewed Carol Porter. I learned that her dream also started with a spark while visiting a local McDonalds’s and noticing children rummaging through the dumpster for food. She didn't wait until she had a full-scale facility. She started feeding hundreds of hungry children from her home kitchen. I realized I didn't have to wait to move forward with Life On Purpose; I also could start from my own home.
Some of these everyday heroes gave me specific advice and coaching. Greg Braendel of Career Dreams, Inc. counseled, "Always remember, you have a gift for writing, so as you pursue your dreams of making a difference, don't forget to continue your writing." As you can see, I took the coaching. But enough about me. Let me introduce you to some incredibly gifted and committed individuals—these people on purpose.
Bo and Sita Lozoff of The Human Kindness Foundation. With few resources besides their own commitment and compassion, Bo and Sita have been shedding light and love into some of the darkest corners of the criminal justice system.
Chitra Besbroda of Sentient Creatures, Inc. For decades, Chitra’s compassion for all life has fueled her drive to help the ‘junkyard dogs’ of Harlem.
Other people you’re likely to meet in the files of Project Purpose include unsung heroes like:
- Carol and Hurt Porter of Kid’s Care, Inc.
- Sunny Jacobs: Unjustly confined to prison for 17 years, Sunny used yoga and meditation to keep her spirit free,
- The founders of the Human Service Alliance who used HSA as an experiment in service while assisting thousands to live better lives,
- Norman Vaughan who has led a life of adventure most of us can only dream about, and
- Bill Irwin who, along with his dog, Orient, was the first blind man to walk the entire Appalachian Trail.
You’ll also meet some ‘sung’ heroes including:
- Marianne Williamson, American spiritual teacher and author of seven New York Times bestseller,
- John Robbins, activist and author of Diet for a New America and Reclaiming Our Health,
- Ocean Robbins, John’s son who co-founded the nonprofit, Yes, at sixteen years of age, and
- Daniel Quinn, author of Ishmael and winner of the Ted Turner Fellowship Award
Read about many of these purposeful people in the Project Purpose articles at https://wbradfordswift.com/purposeproject/.
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