“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Sir Winston Churchill.
There’s a great quotation by Robert Byrne who said “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”
The quote ties in with many philosophies that suggest that having a purpose is vital to living a happy, fulfilled and positive life. Purpose provides a focus for action and priorities and increases the meaning in life.
Many people see that having a clear purpose helps them to have a better understanding of how they can contribute to making the world a better place. We all have a unique set of skills and qualities and our purpose can be a way of using them to be of service to others.
The Dalai Lama famously said that the purpose of life is simple, to be happy.
This reminds me of a story that John Lennon used to tell about an incident from his childhood. He said that when he was 5 years old his mother used to tell him that happiness was the key to life. When he went to school, they asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He wrote down happy. They told him he didn’t understand the assignment and he said they didn’t understand life!
Many people spend so much time working that it’s important that they find meaning in their job and everyday actions. It’s great if people have a real understanding of how their personal efforts fit in and contribute to an organisations purpose and vision. Whatever the responsibilities of our job, it’s great to feel part of something bigger and that our contribution is making a positive difference.
Some work by author Anthony Robbins validates this point. He suggests that all humans have six basic needs. Two of these are significance and contribution. The others are certainty, variety, love/connection and growth. Meeting these needs help us to feel successful and happy.
Robbins defines significance as the need to have meaning, to feel special, proud, needed, wanted, a sense of importance and worthy of love. He defines contribution as the need to give beyond ourselves, to give, care, protect and serve others.
There is a nice story about when President John F. Kennedy was visiting NASA headquarters for the first time in 1961 when they were planning an expedition to the moon.
While touring the facility, he introduced himself to a janitor who was mopping the floor and asked him what he did at NASA. The janitor replied, “I’m helping put a man on the moon!” The janitor understood the vision of NASA and felt part of it. It gave him purpose in his work.
After the great British architect Christopher Wren had designed St Pauls Cathedral in London, he visited the site to review progress of the building work.
When he did so, he walked around unrecognized among the men who were carrying out the building work he had designed.
“What are you doing?” he enquired of one of the workmen, and the man replied, “I am cutting a piece of stone.”
As he went on, he put the same question to another man and the man replied, “I am earning five shillings two pence a day.”
And to a third man he addressed the same question and the man answered, “I am helping Sir Christopher Wren build a beautiful cathedral.”
The third man understood the vision and felt his actions were purposeful. He could see beyond the cutting of the stone and earning his daily wage, to the creation and building of a great cathedral.
This week, why not pause for a few moments to reflect and consider what action you can take to bring greater meaning and purpose to your life.
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