Behind purpose and meaning 2

Yesterday we opened this two part series with an understanding of purpose and meaning in life. Today we will continue with the topic.

Number 4 in our program is to:

4. GIVE YOUR PURPOSE AWAY

To own and accumulate may bring us happiness. But to give it away and serve others will bring us joy. Now this is where the meaning comes into the picture. You saved money, you worked hard for it, you finally bought your new car and yes you are happy but once the new – car-smell disappears, the happiness dissipates too. But when you use your car to offer rides to your friends, when that car of yours now is used to bring happiness to others, then the joy of making yourself useful comes and provides meaning with what you do. Suddenly your car becomes meaningful. And so it is with your work, and so it is with your wealth. But don’t give away your wife…. 

5. LEARN TO BE A LAUGHER.

Successful people know how to laugh at themselves and not at others. Successful people are hard on themselves but they are gracious with others. Don’t take yourself too seriously. There will be instances in your life when things will not go your way. Laugh at it and remind yourself that yesterday ended last night, the worst hour is only 60 minutes and today is a brand new day. Watch comedy, find the fun or better still, be a comedian yourself. But be an intelligent one. 

6. BE ADVENTUROUS. BE DARING.

Try new experiences. Experiences that are designed to surprise you with new learnings and add value to the overall purpose you have for your life. Stay away from experiences that are destructive. But get into experiences that are healthy and helpful.

Get into sports. Extreme sports. Enroll in a language class. Learn computers. Take up a new craft. Get into poetry . That book you have always wanted to write…write! 

7. LOVE GOD AND BE THANKFUL AT ALL TIMES.

There will always be a transcendent tug within the heart of every person that presents a God-shaped vacuum that only God is big enough to fill. Take care of your spirituality. This is the spiritual void that drives intelligent people to do stupid things because deep inside their hearts there is the silent and aching presence of loneliness.

Be thankful at all times. Know that somebody out there will no longer wake up tomorrow morning but meanwhile, you have the gift of life and you can enjoy every moment of the day. Learn to celebrate small successes but stay humble when you win.

Understand that all good things come from God and that He is the Rewarder to those who diligently seek Him. 

So what is purpose and what is meaning?

Your purpose is to discover God’s unique gifts He has bestowed upon you. You work hard on it. You shape it. You hone it and you be really good at what you do. Your meaning is when you give your purpose away.

This is why many wealthy people simply do not get it.

They have discovered their purpose in life. And what is their purpose? It is the creation of wealth and they are good in doing that. But the problem is that they kept it to themselves and at the end of the day they wonder why life is all so empty and meaningless.

Meanwhile those who have given experience a joy that words could not explain. And this is the reason why today, you no longer have to wonder why the richest men in the world have given away huge sums of their hard earned money. Because they have discovered their purpose and are now on the “Meaning” part.

God says it is more blessed to give than to receive.

It certainly is worth thinking about and worth doing too.

Never could understand why billionaires who went bankrupt would take their own lives. Could you? 

(Every economic crisis is an equalizing opportunity, attend New Prosperity Forum featuring the rare tandem of Josiah Go and Francis Kong – Feb. 9 in Manila and Feb. 11 in Cebu. Call 412-0034 for details.)