As I thought about the question I wanted to respond but I also knew I couldn't really explain 'my thoughts' on Facebook with the limited amount of characters it allows you so I wanted to respond on my blog. I know we have been talking about 'Key Life Skills' and what I'm about to discuss I think fits in perfectly and ties nicely into the 'Faith' aspect we discussed last week. I also think our discussion today will bring further clarity to our first aspect/trait we discussed which was: 'Never Ever Stop Dreaming'.
 
Now I know some of you are wondering if I am side-tracking in responding to this but not only do I NOT think we are side-tracking I think exploring some thoughts around the question above could be very helpful and enlightening. Let's give it a whirl by re-examining Nnadozie's question which was: speaking about clarity dreams and visions, what do you see, feel or observe before coming into conclusion that this my purpose in life, out of the millions of thoughts that goes through your mind?

As I attempt to answer the above question I have to share this disclaimer: Even trying to answer this question humbles me to my core. All I can promise is to give you my best thoughts/insights and hope you will gain something form this exchange. 'Life Purpose, Dreams, Career Choices' may be very interwoven and intertwined for some people and for others they may be completely disjointed. One isn't better than the other they are just different; just as we as individuals are all different and that my friends makes life interesting. As we have discussed in previous posts I have a life view that is framed by this paradigm: 'Life is not a race or a destination but a journey.' Knowing that premise I would like to share the following thoughts:

I believe 'Life Purpose' may be a very fluid process for most people. Some people, although I think very few, have 'Dreams' and a view of their 'Life Purpose' at a very early age and that 'purpose' doesn't change their whole life/career. I was recently on an airplane and was seated next to a pilot who was 'dead-heading' to work. We got talking and I asked him what type of aircraft he flies, etc. etc. I then ask him when he 'KNEW' he wanted to be in this industry. His answer surprised me when he said: 'I have wanted to fly and be a pilot since I was five years old. it is all I have ever wanted to do and every educational choice I made in my life was with the one 'destination' or gaol in mind.....to be a pilot. I have never ever wanted to do anything else and have been flying commercially for twenty years.'

Wow.......now folks you may disagree and that's OK......but in the twenty plus years I have been speaking to Corporate groups and with all the people in various industries I have met, this gentleman was the first person who ever shared that he KNEW what he wanted to do when he was FIVE YEARS OLD and that that dream/goal/pupose never changed! Now for most of the people reading this I bet you just took a big 'gulp' and went wow.......at five years old all I wanted was another slice of pie for dessert.....at least that's all I wanted at age five!

My point is this.......some people just KNOW......they feel in their heart-of-hearts that they were destined to do a specific thing and that area is revealed to them at whatever age and they pursue it with all their being. Others of us may take a more circuitous route to get to our 'Life Dreams/Purpose'.

I am more the latter then the former. I have worked in restaurants, hotels, wanted to be a professional basketball player after college, tried out with a semi-pro basketball team and got cut, worked as a professional photographer with my dad for five years, worked with Marriott and Franklin-Covey, etc....etc.......are you starting to get the picture.....(Smile)

Yet, if someone ask me right now do you know your 'Life Purpose/Dreams', I would say absolutely. My purpose is to simply 'Make a Difference in People's Lives through the Spoken and Written word! I want to 'plant shade trees' under which I know I will probably never sit!' The business and career I am in currently I will be in for the rest of my life. I will be 90 years old and still writing and speaking.......I feel deep down in my core I have found my 'Life Purpose or God's Will/Design for my Life'.....I sincerely mean that......I do and for that I am truly blessed.

Now with that said I look at the 30+ years I spent doing all that other stuff as not a waste but part of my journey that all needed to play out in my life.......the good, the bad, the ugly, the sad.......all of it was part of my journey. Do I sometimes look back at certain decisions and years later go.....'Opps that was a bad choice/decision'......Absolutely.....but I don't beat myself up about it. I try to realize what I have learned from these 'life' choices and apply them currently and in the future.

I will say this about 'Life Purpose/Dreams': I think to really be in tune with those areas of your life you have to be willing to 'listen' to that still small voice for you.....your heart......what is that saying......and then go after it with everything you have.....don't worry about the obstacles.....don't worry about the opinions for or against shared by others......what does your HEART say. I can say this.....you'll know.

What is so ironic for me is that I 'backed' into my 'Life Purpose/Dream' without even knowing it. I was in an operations position for Marriott when they needed someone from our region to be a 'District Safety Co-ordinator' and I was chosen. Reluctantly, like I needed one more thing on my plate work-wise, I flew up to Washington DC to be trained and that is where it happened. I watched one of Marriott's Corporate Trainers teach us and instantly I knew......'I COULD DO THAT!' I approached her at the break and asked her about opportunities in that field and found out that they were currently trying to fill a position in Marriott's corporate training department........I applied, got the job and have never looked back and never ever thought of being in another field or going in another direction.

I honestly found my 'Life Purpose' through NO design of my own........it is where my journey placed me and luckily enough I was open enough to that 'Still Small Voice, My Heart'.......when it said: Go ahead and Leap....and my friends, that is what I did and I have never regretted it.....ever! What does all this blabbering have to do with Nnadozie's question which was: speaking about clarity dreams and visions, what do you see, feel or observe before coming into conclusion that this my purpose in life, out of the millions of thoughts that goes through your mind?

I guess what I'm trying to say is there is no 'right or wrong' way to understand an individual's life purpose and dreams. Some have it revealed to them at an early age, others struggle for years but finally break through.....others simply aren't willing to ask enough tough personal and professional questions to peel the layers of the onion enough to get to their core....or for some if they get to that 'core'.....they end up being to afraid to 'LEAP' and go after it for a myriad of 'FEAR-BASED' reasons.

I think one of the keys.....is just being willing to be quiet and honestly wrestle with the above question and listen......just listen over and over again to your heart.....Get out in nature and talk, think.....but most of all be quiet, be still and listen....you will start to know and sense your purpose. Again, I believe when we learn to embrace trait #8 above, trusting and having 'Faith in God' then we will be embarking on a life-long journey of becoming the person we were intended to be. 

I don't know if this helped at all but I look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments. Please join me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holland-Meads-Consulting/299612940256 and post your thoughts or email me at Holland@HollandMeads.com I do look forward to your comments and thoughts.......enjoy your journey......the ride is a hoot! I'll see you again on Wednesday. Have a great week and as always, thanks for listening/reading and remember to: