Finding Your Why
Do you know the name Viktor Frankl? He wrote a very famous book called, Man's Search for Meaning. He published the book in 1946 and it chronicled his life as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. He wrote it in just nine days, wrote the whole book in just nine days, and it became one of the most influential books of the 20th century. The reason for that, his recipe for a purposeful life. That's what the book is about.
Here are two vital ingredients that he said in the book:
Take Action and Take Responsibility. Take action, but also be responsible for that action.
Fulfill the tasks your life assigns and Dedicate Yourself To A Cause greater than yourself.
Oh my, two most important words in the English language: Influence, Impact. Take the responsibility to participate in a cause bigger than yourself, in your community, in the world, wherever it might be. Nothing is too small to help other people. 'Cause when you do, you'll know the why of your life, not just the how you live life, but how and why we live life.
Wes Moore, another wonderful speaker and author knows his why. He grew up in Baltimore, without a father, and he felt he was always a whisper away from trouble in his tough neighborhood. But he persevered. Wes went on to become a Rhodes Scholar, a decorated combat veteran, a White House Fellow, an author and a business leader, who fought for racial equity and founded a company that mentored first generation college students. And today he's married, has two children. He's done very well in business.
He talks to individuals about his book, The Work: A Search for Life That Matters. A Search for Life That Matters. He talks about the Bible, how it carried him through his tour as an army officer in Afghanistan. His Bible was no bigger than the palm of his hand, he said, and he always tucked it inside his flat jacket, close to his heart. Every time Wes went out on patrol, he would repeat the four words printed on the inside cover, “Have Faith, Not Fear.” Have faith, not fear. Those four words, four syllables, they say so much. All of us.
All of us should keep them close to our heart too. Have faith today, tomorrow, every day, in every transaction, and every relationship. Have faith, not fear. Have a great week.