Do Something

With all credit given to Matthew West for this exceptional song, and the challenge that it asserts, I simply wanted to post it as a reminder to myself and others to LIVE LIFE ON PURPOSE. As author Chris Brady writes, our privileges are not for our pleasure, but rather for our purpose. Let's match our personal gifts and talents with a need...
and DO SOMETHING!

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"Do Something"

I woke up this morning

Saw a world full of trouble now

Thought, how’d we ever get so far down

How’s it ever gonna turn around

So I turned my eyes to Heaven

I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”

Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of

People living in poverty

Children sold into slavery

The thought disgusted me

So, I shook my fist at Heaven

Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”

He said, “I did, I created you”

If not us, then who

If not me and you

Right now, it’s time for us to do something

If not now, then when

Will we see an end

To all this pain

It’s not enough to do nothing

It’s time for us to do something

I’m so tired of talking

About how we are God’s hands and feet

But it’s easier to say than to be

Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves

It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”

Well, I don’t know about you

But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire

I don’t want a flame, I want a fire

I wanna be the one who stands up and says,

“I’m gonna do something”

If not us, then who

If not me and you

Right now, it’s time for us to do something

If not now, then when

Will we see an end

To all this pain

It’s not enough to do nothing

It’s time for us to do something

We are the salt of the earth

We are a city on a hill (shine shine, shine shine)

But we’re never gonna change the world

By standing still

No we won’t stand still

No we won’t stand still

No we won’t stand still

If not us, then who

If not me and you

Right now, it’s time for us to do something

If not now, then when

Will we see an end

To all this pain

It’s not enough to do nothing

It’s time for us to do something 

A Conversation on Privileges

"Our privileges are not for our pleasure, but rather for our purpose."

A gentleman that I very much admire and respect often shares that very powerful quote.

What does it say to you? What does it mean to you, if anything?

I am first reminded that there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying our privileges. Absolutely nothing at all. But are they shared, or are they selfishly consumed? Are they used to enrich the lives of others, or are they used as a tool of self-promotion? Do they reach and improve lives at the extent of one’s circle of influence, perhaps even allow one to grow that circle and touch even more lives?

What do you consider your privileges? For many of us, we immediately think of money, of material riches - our “stuff” if you will. We are all blessed to a different degree. Some are certainly blessed with so much more than others. Many have worked countless hours, perhaps decades, for those riches. There is no doubt that they are hard earned and well deserved. The question remains, to the extent of your own privileges - why… for what purpose?

If we were to take a global perspective, even the poorest of us in this nation are living above the means and enjoying a standard of living far in excess of the rest of the world. I give thanks for such blessings every day, and I’m constantly reminded to consider the responsibilities that come with those blessings. If kept to myself, those privileges are certainly wasted.

I submit that our privileges reach far beyond material gains. What about the information we have in hand that could change lives. What about principles that we’ve learned, concepts that others have shared which have placed us on a better path in life? What about life lessons and experiences? How selfish to waste these only on ourselves.

What about those skills and talents unique to us? If we don’t use them to the fullest, for more than just our own gain, I wonder if we even deserve them.

What about positions of leadership - in our homes, in our community or in our government? If leveraged for personal glory and profit versus service and impact, better that the fall would come more quickly than the ascent.

Our privileges are not for our pleasure, but rather for our purpose. As you consider your life mission, your purpose, examine how your privileges have been provided to help you reach your fullest potential and greatest impact.

Our Deepest Fear

Watching the movie Coach Carter, I was struck by a short speech given by the character Timo Cruz.

Throughout the movie, Coach Carter asks Cruz, "What is your deepest fear?" Cruz never gives him a direct answer, though the course of events in the movie clearly show us that his fear is embodied in his struggle between the different directions his life can take. Finally turning to Coach Carter and the hope that his principle-based approach provides, Cruz's own life takes a hopeful, purposeful path.

In what I considered the climactic scene of the movie, where Coach Carter’s message is finally realized, Cruz steps up and delivers his answer. His inspiring quote is actually paraphrased from Marianne Williamson’s book A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. The full Williamson quote is provided here.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Looking for even more inspiration? Check out this 8 minute clip montage full of the best motivational and inspirational movie moments.

Life Lessons From Gladiator

I love to capture significant thoughts and perspectives. While watching the movie Gladiator, there were two quotes that had me scrambling for my notebook.

Marcus Aurelius: “When a man sees his end, he wants to know there was some purpose to his life. How will the world speak my name in years to come?”

Maximus: “What we do in life echoes in eternity.”

If it all ended today, do you like how your accomplishments and your impact will echo in eternity? Do they even have enough volume, enough significance, to echo at all?

Sadly, many will wait until they see their end to take those questions seriously. When they are finally face to face with their mortal selves, often without the strength, the time or the resources to take action on their answer.

These questions are not reserved for the end. The time to ask is now, today, in this moment. There is no better time to consider your purpose.

Now is the time to know, and now is the time to act.

Are you listening?

What and who we listen to ultimately influences what we do.

(Thanks to Andy Stanley for his message on that theme for the past three weeks.)

What does that assertion say to you?

You often hear that you are a product of your associations. Everything about you, eventually, assimilates into the patterns of the people around you. Your thinking, your habits, your attitudes, your wardrobe. Your income. Eventually, everything.

It seems obvious when you see a group of teens all dressed alike. The latest trends to grunge. Hair the same, tattooed or not, perhaps piercing. It is also plain to see in talk, interests, music, hobbies and habits. Like attracts like, or else like becomes like if it wants to remain in the fold.

We instruct our children to watch who they hang out with. We know what can happen. Are we as careful ourselves?

That’s the “who” part. It’s not so obvious with the “what”. What we listen to. What we read. What we watch. Each of these inputs eventually drives our thinking, our belief systems, and finally our actions. When we see, hear, or watch something long enough, it becomes our norm. It becomes our reality. Over time, we may even find ourselves defending it as if our life depended on it.

Perhaps that’s actually true. Perhaps our life - the quality of our life - indeed depends on it.

In my personal mission statement, you’ll read this. "I never stop learning and growing, always drawing from the best sources of information. I guard my thoughts from unwholesome information and unhealthy environments. I seek wise counsel and mentorship, knowing that The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel."

What about your personal mission? If you are intentional about your future, it is critical that you ask:

“Who am I listening to?”
“What am I listening to?”

No Regrets

The older I get, the more I hear people express regret for the way they’ve lived their lives.

Sometimes it traces back to what they have done. An action. A choice. A mistake in judgment. Perhaps a blatant, intentional decision fully knowing the negative consequences. One event that changed the course of their life, or a chosen course that slowly defined their life.

More often, though, the regret is for something left undone. Mark Twain put it this way. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." If you ask me, this one is tougher. But it hits home all the same. Call it comfort or complacency, fear or ignorance. No matter, we will always miss the shots we didn’t take.

“Do I regret how I have lived my life?” Actions taken or failures to take action. As I write, and as you read, the question must be asked. Someday we'll be called upon to give an account for our lives. Will we like the answer? I don’t think I’ll have regrets for missteps or mistakes. I believe my greatest disappointment will be the day I learn what could have been. My full, unrealized potential. When I learn all that I was capable of doing that I simply ran from, avoided, or just let linger without a response. Things I stepped around. Wherever I set the bar, the understanding that I set it too low.

We all have the same 24-hour day. We all have a dream, a passion, planted within us. We all have skills and talents that support that passion. We all have resources that support those skills and talents. No, we don’t all have the same talents, skills or resources. Sometimes it takes a stretch, some extra effort, to make something happen in the midst of our circumstances. Still, we all have the opportunity.

I believe the differences, though, are not the limiting factor. We are far more limited by our thinking. Our beliefs, our attitudes and our self talk. The information we have on hand, and the new information we pursue. The actions we choose to take based on that information.

Beliefs drive decisions. Decisions determine direction. And every direction has a well defined destination.

I believe that each and every one of us are called to greatness based on the unique talents and skills that have been planted in us. They were planted in us for a purpose. They were planted in us for our mission.

The beauty in all of this? No matter where you have been, and no matter where you are now, you can choose a different path. You can tap into your passions and pursue a life void of regret. You can maximize every moment, every day and every opportunity. If you don't like the direction your life is taking, and the associated destination, you can step back and address the beliefs and decisions that are driving you there. But you must take action.

You were meant for something great. Step out and chase a mission worth every breath you’ve been given. Armed with passion and determination, you will create a valuable, abundant life. Stretch yourself! Dream BIG! Leave it all on the battlefield, with no regrets.

And So It Begins...

“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” How can you go wrong by quoting Ben Franklin, right?

My mission includes both, thank you. If I'm going to invest my time in writing, it must be worth your time in reading. I plan to inform, to entertain, to teach, and to reach. I look forward to sharing what I've learned, and learning from what you share in return. I'm sure we'll both grow along the way. If not worth the reading, say so.

But writing alone is not my purpose. I would consider that, for myself, a very empty life. Taking a page from my own book of quotes, “Education without application is worthless.” Our life lessons are worthless if they fail to bear fruit. Application requires action. We were blessed with our lives for a purpose, and that's certainly a cause beyond ourselves. We're here to make a difference. We're here to impact and influence.

Beyond results in our own lives, we are called to leverage ourselves to equip, encourage and enable the successes of others as well.

My passion in life is helping people grow and change in the way others have helped me. Sharing principles of health, of wealth and of wisdom. Financial common sense. Wealth thinking. Relationship building. Self Mastery. Learning like we'll live forever, but living with an understanding that we are never promised another day.

Why bother? Simply put, it is amazing what can happen when you take personal responsibility for your actions and your decisions, when you take mastery of your life and control it's direction. The Principle of the Path tells us that direction determines destination. In the days ahead, however many we are given, we'll unpack that too.

I invite you on this journey. The destination is yours to create. Enjoy the ride!