--Earnest Hemmingway- The Old Man and the Sea.

Life can be cruel. If you watch the news you see heart breaking stories and you ponder the purpose of life. For so many there is not purpose. They see their life in days they have to get through.

Although life can be cruel and bad things can happen, people can be incredible. They can be honest, inspiring, selfless, and tireless for a cause. People make the difference in life. I have worked with people who have lived a life of shame, abuse, rejection and isolation and, yet, they live their life doing good for others, being helpful, and giving more when many of us hold back. What makes this difference? Why are some people undefeated no matter what happens while others “throw in the towel” with the least bit of frustration? I would like to say it is the way you are raised, but this has not proven true. Parents do affect how children grow up, but some children grow up with nothing and still give everything. I think the difference is that people that feel a need to be better and find a purpose have a faith that many of us cannot comprehend. They believe in something much bigger then themselves—whether that is God, a cause, or a principle they embrace it and live their lives in a manner that will manifest the purpose.

How can we be more like those kinds of people? We must begin with finding our truest sense of what it is we want to accomplish here on earth. We have to begin to tell ourselves every day that we are here for a limited time. We must quit thinking of owning our lives and think more about giving back our lives.

A few tips to finding your purpose and living a more meaningful life.

1. Find one area that you believe you can improve. This should be something small that you think you can begin and finish. Small steps will lead to big ones and completing small ones builds confidence as you focus on larger ones.

2. Take one risk every day. Feel that risk and tell yourself how proud you are of yourself for doing it.

3. Make a dinner and have others over. It doesn’t have to be a big dinner, it can be simple (chips and drinks). You are doing this as a way of listening and serving others. It is one of the easiest and most tangible ways of getting people out and exploring new ideas.

4. It is human nature to focus on the bad or terrible news, but that helps no one. Begin to focus on one good thing that has happened to you and/or another and repeat to yourself at least three times a day “thank you for letting that happen”.

5. As much as is possible focus on today. We get stressed about what commitments we have in the future, but life shows us there is no guarantee of a future. Do what you can today to make a difference.

What a difference we can all make in one day. One day is forever!

MJo