Connecting The Dots
It’s been said that the two most happiest times in an individual’s life is the day they were born and the day they discover why they were born.
Have you ever questioned yourself, asking, “there has to be more to life than this?” It has to be more to life than just waking up day after day going to work coming back home going to sleep and doing it all over again. There has to be more to life than paying bills. There has to more to life than going to church or any other religious institution. Although you love your family, your spouse, and children; you still may say to yourself that surely life has to be more than making them breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Now if you’re truly passionate about the few things that I named above, I would like to be the first to congratulate you on doing what makes you truly happy and brings you utter joy. But for the rest of us that haven’t yet discovered that thing that brings us complete joy we are still searching for that reason we were born. I’ve been asked many times, “how do I go about discovering my purpose?” My answer is always first you discover your passion(s) and my friend somewhere in the mix of things thereafter you will too discover your purpose.
Discovering your passion and purpose in life can be an interesting journey. I applaud you for having the courage to do so. It lets those that you love and care about and the world know that you are truly serious about living life to its fullest potential. There are so many different metaphors for life, but for right now, let us compare life to a puzzle. In my first book titled, “What If I am? The Four Stages In Life” I stated, “that your life is a puzzle waiting to be solved by the questions you ask.” Basically, the answers you are looking for are hidden within your questions. But you must be willing to ask the right questions. Asking wrong questions in life or otherwise will always yield wrong answers. I’ve learnt that sometimes in life that the right questions can also be the hardest questions.
Now that’s out of the way, it’s time to ask yourself some questions. These questions should be asked during your alone time. These questions ought not to be rushed. Take your time. What a pity to have climbed the mountain of life only to discover that you’ve climbed the wrong mountain. For some, the questioning process may take a week, two weeks, or even a month. However long it takes, once the revelation of your true purpose is revealed your inner joy and passion for life will be indescribable.
Are you ready?
Clear your mind. Get ready to tap into the real you. Not the you that society claims you have to be, but they you that God wants you to be.
Let us begin!
1) What do I do so well that it makes me feel complete?
2) What do I do so well that I feel like a fish in water? (meaning it comes natural)
3) What do I do so well that I come alive and people can see an outward glow?
4) What do I do so well that I would do it for free?
5) What do I do so well that I can wake up in the middle of the night and do it with such passion, giving the task every ounce of my strength?
6) What do I do so well that I would sacrifice my social life?
7) What do I do so well that I can’t stop thinking about it? It stays on my mind like a new found love…
For any reason you have not figured out what you do well, do not worry. It’s out there! Your job is to search for it, discover it, and work it.
The very thing that you do well may be outside of your comfort zone. Neal Donald Walsh asserted that, “life begins outside of your comfort zone.” Actually your comfort zone is not your friend; it’s your greatest enemy. Living beyond your comfort zone is what you were created to do.
For example, I hated writing and reading as a child, teenager, and all the way up to age 28. Here’s what changed, my mind, I took the leap. The leap was writing my first book. When I wrote my first book I had the slightest idea of what I was doing and I was nervous as hell! I knew I had a desire to get my message out that would help those who read it and realizing at the time that a book was the best method. Interestingly, while writing my first book I discovered, hey I like this. Hell, I love this!!! I couldn’t stop writing. I started writing blog articles for websites, magazine columns, etc. Since then, I have concluded my third book. None of that would have happened if I didn’t take the chance and risk to begin writing. Writing also exposed my love for public speaking. My love for public speaking led me to speaking all over the country for universities. I was a commencement speaker for a few high schools. I spoke for fraternities mentoring programs and elementary schools. I even spoke for the U.S State Department from the same podium President John F. Kennedy spoke from. At one point I co-hosted the number one motivational radio program in the Baltimore, MD area as well as had my very own morning motivational segment. A few years ago I spoke for a homeless shelter and the response from the audience was amazing. But most importantly, I felt AMAZING afterwards. I felt alive. I felt energetic. I felt on top of the world.
When I began writing I had no idea what to title this particular article. Sitting in my office writing while reflecting listening to “Greg Maroney’s Mountain Snow” I decided to titled this article “Connecting The Dots”. I’m writing this article in my office located in Atlanta, GA. But when I wrote my first book I resided in Baltimore, MD. My first book was written in 2012, it’s now 2016. Four years later I’m remarried and married to the woman of my dreams celebrating our sixth month marriage anniversary. I live in a beautiful housing sub-division. Jabari K. Cooper became the newest edition to the family 20 months ago. I have vacationed more now than I ever have prior to marrying my wife. Life is on an upward trend.
If I would not have leaped out of my comfort zone four years ago my life would not be what it is today. I can honestly say that I am happy. My life is making a difference in the lives of others, not because I’m perfect. Not because I get it right every single time. My life is making a difference because I am a living example of what pursing your purpose looks like. I took action and with each deliberate action taken, it brought me closer and closer to me finally discovering my purpose in life.
I dare you to begin questioning yourself. But most importantly, I dare you to begin answering the questions you asked yourself. Even more important than your answers, I dare you to begin living the answers to your questions. Start today, live your answers. Your purpose is hidden in the discovery of your passion(s); and by doing so watch how the dots of life connect in your favor…
