“All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.” James Thurber
As you know the tag line of my blog is “Every life should have a noble purpose.” How we find that purpose and then act accordingly is one of the keys to a fulfilling time on earth. So many of us, myself included, just go along with whatever comes our way. We allow ourselves to be directed by all sorts of people and events who shape our destiny.
It is the lucky person who realizes, regardless of what others want for our lives, we are ultimately the one who decides our fate. We learn to adapt and improvise, to overcome and flourish in life. No one knows what waits around the bend. No one should linger too long in any situation that does not affirm and nurture one’s sense of self and one’s noble purpose.
How do we decide our path?
We are the sum of all the things we value. One person values honesty and integrity, another self-interest, and control. These values, most probably, will lead to different purposes and actions. So the first question to ask yourself is – what do you value? Look for values that will form the foundation of your being. Study those you admire – read biographies and autobiographies to uncover the values and traits of those folks in whom you see a noble purpose.
Second, how do you transfer your values and purposes into meaningful actions? Do you commit your whole life to serve others, to lessen the suffering of others? What are you determined to do with your life? For what do you want to be remembered? What’s your five-year or ten-year plan? What is your measurement of “success”?
Finally, answer these three “guides”: what are you running from? What are you running to, and why are you running at all? My answers to these questions are: I am running from selfishness and a life without compassion for others. Second, I am running to that place where I can understand and use all my talents to ease the suffering of others. And third, I am running because I believe every life should have a noble purpose – a purpose that demonstrates the power and promise of hope. My purpose is to spread hope into the lives of all those I meet.
Surround yourself with people you admire. Learn about them, question them, listen to their stories of hope, and finding purpose. We are all great teachers and we are all potential students. Teach and learn. A rough paraphrase of the words of one who I admire is this – preach faith until you find your faith. So, decide what you value and then go at it until that value-laden life is yours.
How will you know if you have succeeded? That’s what a heart is for. Be to others what you most want to be for yourself. We all start at the same place and we end at the same place. Develop your hope in the time you have between those two markers.