Originally posted 1/28/2018

For many younger people, Dear Abby may not even ring a bell. But for millions of women in particular, she (Pauline Phillips, who died January 16th at age 94) was someone we grew up with, and even though it may have been not too cool, we did sneak a peak and read her advice columns when we thought no one was looking.

I heard a great quote of hers today:

“The purpose of life is to amount to something and have it make some difference that you lived at all.”   

I think that is what most of us really want – to make a difference, to leave some legacy and mark on the world so that it is a little bit of a better place.

We have the opportunity to do this every day – by a kind word, a thoughtful act, by giving more than we feel like to help out another.  We can do this by using our unique talents, or by simply giving the gift of laughter.

So tomorrow when maybe you don’t feel like it, dig inside a little deeper. I  bet you will find  a sense of purpose and delight in making that difference without even having to exert much effort.

*photo NYTimes, via photofest

 

Originally posted 11/30/2012

Just yesterday I had the opportunity to give a seminar on “Finding Your Purpose” to an amazing group of women. Whenever I do programs, I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with these wonderful women and we all end up learning from each other.

During the seminar, I asked the group, “What brings you joy?”  One women said it was walking with her dog on the beach looking for sea glass, and being rewarded many times with these hidden treasures.  All you had to do was to focus and be aware of what you were looking for, she said.

Another woman then said she loved to do this also, and for her, it was a chance to tune everything else out. It is just you and your quest.  It may be hidden but you catch a glimpse and then can find just what you are looking for.

I thought this was so perfect and it struck a cord because it is a wonderful metaphor for searching for your purpose.  If we concentrate and tune out our daily distractions we can hear that hidden voice within us which is trying to guide us to our ‘quest’ for purpose. 

Realize the gifts that are all around you. Start to be conscious of what brings you joy and know that there are hidden treasure in our lives every day. All we need to do is look, and listen and accept these gifts with grace. 

What is your “sea glass” today? 

Originally posted 11/16/2012

With the devastation that Hurricane Sandy has brought, millions of people are without power and are struggling to find gasoline and the basic essentials such as food or heat. I am part of that group – grateful to have been spared damage to our home, but displaced for an unknown period of time.

So in these days without electricity or other distractions of TV or the internet, it surely gives one time to think a bit differently about life (that was my Point #2 from the last blog– little did I know I would be challenged so quickly!)

I am thinking differently about how something over which we have no control can totally change the landscape of the earth and of our thoughts. One thing that I am now focusing on is that we still retain our power over how we react and what we feel. In the midst of total chaos around us, we can be still inside (just be aware of what we are feeling and, with just a little bit of effort, we can then pull ourselves out of our funk.) Our reactions are still in our control.

Our East coast shoreline has been changed forever yet it remains essentially the sand and ocean. These disasters in our lives also change us forever, and we can choose to make that change positive – how we think and act towards others, and how we value what gifts we have been given.

Our transformation can be huge or subtle – it can spur us to use our energy to help others in ways we never have done so before, or it can be a small but real change inside – a feeling of acceptance and even gratitude in knowing this challenge has been presented to us to learn something important in this life.

And remember, although underneath we have been transformed somehow, we still retain who we are- just a little bit better, stronger, and more prepared on this journey.
Our prayers and good energy go out to all who are still struggling with the losses of the hurricane.

Originally posted 10/24/2012

One thing I have found that has brought joy and important change into my life is to share my experiences with others – as my mentors, teachers, and friends have done with me.  Through others’ experiences, we have a chance to see our own lives in a different way and discover options we hadn’t realized on our own.

Today I have been thinking a lot about how I arrived where I am at this moment, and I wanted to share some important things I’ve recently realized.  I don’t mean “where I am” as in where I live or what I have — I am talking about the work that I am doing now.

 

I got to this point because I allowed myself to do the following:  

1. Take a risk
2. Think differently
3. Take account of my strengths and weaknesses
4. Understand what I love to do (and don’t!)
5. Seek out and leverage outside expertise
6. Build a network of support
7. Try something different while using my experience and skills to help others.

Putting all of these things together over time brought me tremendous satisfaction and for the first time in my life, I do feel I am here doing what I am supposed to do.

More ideas on how this happened in the next blog, but for today, start your On Purpose journey by taking a risk and reaching out to help or ask for help.  It is so much easier to connect and share than to struggle alone!