PRINCIPLES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH, CHANGE, AND TRUE
SUCCESS IN OUR LIFE AND SERVICE TO OTHERS
How
to become all we can be and live at peace in our
world.
Principle
6. - The search for and the discovery of purpose and
meaning in our life and work are fundamental to
successful living, personal growth, and positive
change.
The pop culture song and film of the Sixties asked the
question -- The hip character, who had gone through much
of life’s pleasure-seeking experience and found himself
still wondering, was asked, “What’s it all about,
Alfie?”
The question as to the meaning and purpose of life can be
profound and vital and trivial and venal at the same
time. It can lead us to the depths of our being or
to the mouthing of shallow slogans. But our
personal performance and the quality of our life will be
enhanced when we take the time to seek a view of our life
and work that can motivate and inspire us to live for
others and above our own self. Men and women who
have a transcendent view of life find that life goes
better in many ways.
First of all, we will have the power to deal with the
anxiety that confronts us every day. We will always
find that leading a significant life and making a
difference will lead us out of security and to some
uncertainty, and that causes anxiety. However, if
we seek to play life safe in the midst of all the change
-- we may feel things are out of our control and that
will cause anxiety. Anxiety is a part of modern
life. But when we believe that life has more to it
than what we see and what is given, we will live with
greater freedom and power.
Secondly, we will have a greater sense of priority.
Time management is not just about scheduling and
organizing. It is about making choices as to what
is really important. That helps us to know what to
say “Yes” to and when we should say “No.” A
philosophy of values, faith, and purpose will guide us in
not only living well but also living effectively, because
priority comes from purpose and
meaning.
Finally, a life well grounded
and a career founded on purpose and meaning will attract
true prosperity. Prosperity is usually expressed in
financial terms, but the true meaning of the word is “to
flourish, to grow, to do well.”
Yes, Mother Theresa, who owned nothing but a few
possessions, was very prosperous. What she did was
successful, influential, and made a significant
difference in the lives of others. She did well;
she was prosperous. We attract true prosperity when
every day we begin with a reminder that we do not just
exist but that we live for a cause and a
calling.
Yes indeed, the search for and the discovery of purpose
and meaning in our life and our work are fundamental to
successful living, personal growth and positive
change.