How To Live With Purpose, Passion and Joy

One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Howard Thurman. He was a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. He was also a pastor, author and chaplain at Howard University. Many times college students would come up to Dr. Thurman and ask him, “What should I do with my life?” Since he was a pastor and a chaplain, they probably expected him to advise them to become a pastor or a chaplain. Instead, Dr. Thurman would always reply:

“Don’t ask what the world needs—ask what makes
you come alive and go do that. Because what the
world needs are people who have come alive.”

What does it mean to come alive? To “come alive” means to live with passion, enthusiasm, purpose and joy. Johann Von Goethe said, “The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it.”

In order to “come alive” you need to discover and live your purpose. It involves growing to be the person you were meant to be. We “come alive” when we begin using our unique gifts and talents to serve others. As Mother Teresa said, “We have been created for a purpose; for great things: to love and be loved.”

I believe that God wants to use all of us to make a difference in the lives of other people. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait around months or years for some great big opportunity. As Mother Teresa advised, “The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things with great love, and together we can do something wonderful. ”

What “small thing” could you do today with great love? Here are some suggestions that would only take a few minutes:

• Send a “thank you” note to someone who has made a difference in your life.
• Donate some of your unneeded clothing to a homeless shelter, or other charity.

Do one small thing today that will move you forward in achieving your dreams. Then continue to take small steps each day to build momentum. As you use your gifts to serve others, you will “come alive” and experience deep satisfaction and joy.