Purposeful Living Creates Life

"What's the point of anything?"

• Annie Butterfield
  

Purposeful Living Creates Life

My daughter Annie and I were having a conversation today. She's fifteen now and has lots of questions about why things are the way they are. So, why should she be any different than I was at 15? Why should she be any different than I am now? We all have questions. In fact, I haven't met anyone at any age that doesn't have questions.

But, Annie's question just seems so perfect for every person to think long and hard about. It is, "What's the point of anything?"

This is a question that must be answered by every person individually. And, if asked thoughtfully one must come to the conclusion that to find a personal answer will most assuredly lead to the discovery of purposeful living. My friend Quinn Heder told me a story that perfectly illustrates the "Principle of Purposeful Living."

"I had a hound dog once and he was bitten by a raccoon," he said. "He became paralyzed. The veterinarians all told me to put him down, but I just couldn't do it! All the dog was able to do was to lie on his side. He couldn't move most of his body so he couldn't hunt anymore. He couldn't even make a sound."

"I knew that my dog loved to hunt and that since he couldn't, he would very likely lose his will to live. If I wanted him to live, I had to do something soon. Then I noticed that when our cat walked past and began to drink from the dog's water bowl, my hound lifted his head and moved his mouth in a most profound effort to bay at the cat. And, as I watched I knew immediately that this innate purpose, of protecting his water bowl from a natural enemy, would give him the necessary will to become healthy and live again."

"As my dog regained his health and vigor, before my very eyes, the importance of purpose was forever written on my soul!"

So, I would ask you, what's written on your soul? Are you an artist? Do you dream of teaching your life's experience to others? Are you a creator of businesses? Have you looked so deeply inside of yourself that you can see the desires of your heart playing out before you as if on a stage? If not, what's holding you back?

Take some time to do some internal exploring. Explore your joys, your hopes and dreams. Distance yourself from the voices that have told you, and keep telling you, that you can't do what you want to do because it just isn't practical. Do what you want to do just because it is you! If you will, just like Quinn's hound, you'll soon find yourself able to overcome any type of paralyzing fear and create the life of your dreams.

Become Known For Something

"You are so courteous"

• Jay Yamamoto
  

Become Known for Something

I've been working with a specific Client a great deal lately and it's been a great experience for me to get to know him and his wife. My work with them, as is often the case, has caused us to spend long hours together and, as always, I've found that it's important to make sure I show as much thoughtfulness as possible. After all, being with someone you don't know real well, in stressful situations, can make the interaction even more stressful. Still, I haven't known what kind of impact this considerate behavior has had until this last week.

As we were working, Jay Yamamoto kept saying to me, "You're so courteous!" It was kind of him to make the remark and it made me feel good. I found myself thinking about this comment time and again even after he flew back to San Diego.

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that being known for something is very important. And, it's important to understand that this is a much different concept than being famous or infamous for something. The truth is that most of us will never become famous; but that doesn't mean that we can't become known for being something wonderful.

For example, as Jay and I were working we came into contact with another person who said to Jay, "It's nice to meet you. I haven't met Lynn before either, but I know him by reputation." Gladly his body language and the inflection of his voice led us to believe that this was a positive thing.

Now I invite you to contemplate what it means to be known for something. If you're known as a person of courtesy, honesty and goodness will you view yourself as a successful person? Success always requires one to be proactive in their behavior. So, here are some steps you can take to become known for something:

First, make a list of adjectives that describe the person you'd like to be. It could be anything, great father, friend, trustworthy, etc. Second, make a list of the actions you regularly take that demonstrate that you fit that label. Third, list some things you can do each day to speed up your reputation for being that person. Finally, when you've become proficient in that trait, begin to work toward success with the next positive trait on your list.

Benjamin Franklin was a master at using this technique and you can see the result today some two hundred years later. Now, I'm not saying this approach will make you a large figure in world history, but it will bring you increased confidence in yourself and will make you and those you come into contact with have a better and happier life. I hope you'll give it a try. And, if you get a moment drop me a message and let me know how it's working for you!

Become Your Best For the World

"I read an article about the Best Weaver in the World."

• Paula Maddock
  

Becoming Your Best

I was surrounded by a whirlwind of children. They were playing hide and seek. That meant the whole house had become their game board and everyone in it was a pawn. I watched as they giggled and squealed with delight during their play. Many of the little tikes rushed around with two fists full of cookies as if they were demonstrating a joy that was almost too much to contain. It was all one large canvas, a painting of growth and celebration.

My extended family had gathered to celebrate the birth of a little girl. She didn't know it then and still can't comprehend what she's become part of. I know I still can't figure it all out. So during this time of merriment I acted the part of teasing uncle.

I walked through three large rooms watching the interactions taking place between parent and child, great grandparents, uncles and aunts, grandmas and grandpas, cousins, and siblings all seasoned with a few family friends just to add a little spice. All these exchanges happening at once can quickly become sensory overload for the uninitiated. Since I am not akin to that lot, after these many years, I've been granted immunity from the chaos and can have a little fun of my own.

So, I sat in the middle of it all negotiating with one of my nieces. She's not more than seven-years-old and is trying to understand the process of making money. It's great for both of us because now I'm going to get my whole house dusted and she's going to earn one dollar for her work! In the end though, we both know that the dust will still remain comfortably resting on my furniture and the dollar will soon fly off to provide strength to someone else's wallet. I like being part of participating in the growth of these kids swirling around me.

Toward the end of my stay, the whirlwind carried me down a small hallway where my sister showed me a favorite saying she had lettered on her wall. It says something like, "Be the best for the world, not the best in the world." She read an article about the "best weaver in the British Isles" once and when the winner was interviewed, she was asked how it felt to be the "best in the world. " Her reply was that she didn't weave to be the best in the world; she weaves to be her best, for the world.

There I stood, surrounded by family and friends. We were all weaved together in differing patterns; interacting through shifting and ever changing relationships. But we were all working to help each other become the best we can be for the world. It's both instructive and interesting that such a moment of clarity can come out of a boiling pot of celebration.

So, even as it appears as if there is nothing but chaos all around you, celebrate your chance to become the best you can become for our world. You're part of a huge tapestry that will be more beautiful because of your unique and wonderful contribution.

Creators and Builders Needed

"It was like the earth came alive, it was rolling like a wave in the ocean."

• Jeff and Daphne
  

Creators and Builders Needed

It's easy to hear the news from distant places and just file the information away without giving it a second thought. But, recently I've been impressed that so many people don't take that approach. I was really struck by such caring when recently purchasing jeans for my daughter in the Aeropostale Outlet Store. They were offering a 25% off coupon in exchange for the donation of old jeans for Haitian relief. Their goodness made me stop and think; I wanted to participate even without being a coupon recipient.

I had jeans sitting in my closet that hadn't been worn for a long, long time. They weren't doing anyone any good and this was a chance to put them to work again so I came back later with a stack of trousers to donate. It made me feel as if I was part of a great wave of good. But more is needed since a great wave of quakes is rolling across the globe.

One of these quakes hit Chile and this one had a direct hit to my heart as well. My Friends Jeff and Daphne Neal recently relocated to Chile so I was really worried about their welfare and felt helpless. It was impossible to even get in touch with them to find out what their situation was.

Then, another friend of mine forwarded an email that she had received from Jeff.

It's been a crazy few days here in Chile. This is the first time I have had internet. We are all fine after the earthquake. Our house has only one small repair needed. The earthquake was a 7.5 where we live, and lasted 3 1/2 minutes. It was a scary experience. It was like the earth came alive, it was rolling like a wave in the ocean. We have plenty of water and food, and feel very lucky to be unharmed. Hope to talk soon and hope you are all well.

I felt relief roll throughout my whole being as I read this little note. But, the relief hasn't lasted long. There was another large quake in Taiwan not long after and today another one has hit Turkey. It all seems a little overwhelming! But, I've been having this nagging thought come to my mind over and over again.

This is not the time to shrink, run and hide. This is a time for us to create in a way we never have before. There hasn't been a time like this as long as I've been alive and now is our chance to reach out and be the creators we're meant to be.

We need to create businesses that provide people with incomes to rebuild their lives. We need to provide more people with food and shelter than ever before. We need to offer hope and good will whenever we get a chance.

This is our chance to awaken the innate compassion and idealism we are all born with and take to heart the advice of the late Dr. Fred Epstein, "If you keep your eyes open and follow your passions you will find your calling."

Accepting the Good in Life

"Accept all the good things. Ignore the pathetic things. And, in the meantime go fishing."

• Bob Conard
  

Accepting the Good in Life

Not more than two days ago I was thinking about calling my friend Bob Conard. We were roommates in college and grew to be close friends during our years studying. Even though we've lived a great distance from each other for almost thirty years and have raised our families apart our friendship still runs deep.

What makes our friendship so interesting is that when we first met; our differences would have seemed to preclude a close relationship. But, it soon became apparent to me that Bob was a man with a great heart, impeccable character, and wisdom rarely matched. I'll never forget the things Bob has done in sharing these traits with me.

Back in college we shared our lives in a fun sort of way. Since we were both away from home we decided to be a father to each other; and to this day we call each other "Son." My daughters find this to be a most peculiar behavior to be sure! But, Bob is as much family to me as they are. How else could I feel about someone who has shared so much of life with me?

I'll never forget being ill one night in our home. I was very weak, standing in the kitchen, and then I collapsed. Luckily, Bob was standing near! Before I hit the ground he deftly scooped me up and carried me to bed. I was fortunate to have Bob as family then and am still fortunate to have his friendship these many years. So, it wasn't a real surprise that after thinking about making a call to check in with Bob, a number I didn't recognize popped up on my caller ID and I heard a familiar, "Hi Son."

He was calling to ask my advice, but as always, I was the one who ended up benefiting from our conversation. This time he taught me about accepting the good in life when he said, "Accept all the good things, ignore the pathetic things, and in the meantime go fishing."

When I heard this wisdom I immediately thought of our relationship. When we first met by just happening to move into the same house as students, I could have never guessed I would be accepting immeasurable good in life by simply becoming Bob's friend.

That's the lesson. You never know exactly how or where the good in life will come so, keep your eyes open and always accept it when and wherever it comes to you. It's like fishing. Just keep casting in the right spots and you'll soon feel a tug on your line. It's that tug, the good in life, which will allow you to ignore the water in your boots and the rocks banging your ankles.