A Purpose

"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Purpose and direction, two of the things that can be essential to living a happy life. Where are we headed and why? It is a pretty simple question but can be very difficult to answer. We question ourselves over and over trying to figure this one out. So much that we can become mired in the muddiness of the question itself.

As we try to answer the question, we work hard in trying to get somewhere. We say if we just work hard enough, put out enough effort, we will end up where we want. But where is it you will end up if you do not have any idea where "that place" is?

You may be asking yourself now, "gosh, he always says that we need to get up and move in order to make change." Am I saying that you should sit still until you figure out that purpose and direction? Of course not and traveling in circles is not a good idea either.

What I am trying to tell you is that you need to get up and move. Change will come as you head off in one direction. The idea though is to examine the direction you are headed. You may find that it is not correct, but at least now you know what "is not" the purpose for your life.

I liken it to someone giving up everything to minister to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying like Mother Teresa. You may find that once you start heading in that direction, it really is not using your abilities very well. It could be that you were meant to make millions of dollars in the business world like the author J. K. Rowling whom has contributed tens of millions to fight poverty.

While Mother Teresa has passed on, what she left behind continues to accomplish a tremendous amount. What Ms. Rowling is doing will also live on for a very long time. Both created purpose and direction in their life; they are examples at both ends of the spectrum. You can accomplish an awful lot somewhere in between as well.

As you can see, it is in getting up and moving that starts to create change. You examine that change, evaluate it as you move and then change direction until you one fine moment realize, "this is my purpose and direction." It will happen when you least expect it. And above all, stay inspired my friends.