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.