A (MY) PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

Picture by my old friend John (whose “photographic talents” I definitely do not possess!)

web site http://jetpix.wordpress.com/

A (MY) PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

What on earth am I here for?

“This is the true joy in life: the being used up for a purpose recognised by yourself as a mighty one…”

– George Bernard Shaw

Submitter’s Note:

Craig has just started writing a new book My Purpose Driven Life* and here are a few thoughts in the meantime, so thought I’d share. Enjoy…

As inspired by The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, which I’m presently studying and summarizing (but not too “heavy-heavy Christian/religious”, but more “simply spiritual” from my own perspective aimed at (and especially relevant and hopefully “appealing” to) most of the world’s population who aren’t “religiously minded” and don’t attend church and/or follow Jesus 90%…  ???), which I’ll post on my blog in due course.

“Whilst we can (and should) celebrate our uniquenesses, let not our different beliefs set us apart as human beings, but rather let the Spirit of our shared humanity be what defines and unites us as common citizens of our planet.”

– me

from http://www.www.breakdownwalls.wordpress.com

*

 

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

– Anais Nin

 

“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

– John Henry Newman

“God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into the world with a different collection of life circumstances that often severely challenge us, things that give us joy and in expressing our talents allow us to bless the people, the world around us.”

Today, don’t just try to make a living… try to make a difference.

“Together, one mind, one life at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift and encourage to reach their fullest potentials.”

My Thoughts

“Rather than aiming at success, aim at living a life of significance.”

“Our Greatest Good is perhaps not to share our material possessions, our money and ‘riches’ with others, but through faith in other people, to so lay the foundation to reveal the rich treasure that lies within themselves.”

“Do not follow the well-beaten track of others towards success – like the rainbow, it is often an illusion always just beyond our reach. Make your own path and let your spirit blaze a brilliant trail towards the pot of gold, the prize for the gift – one that is uniquely you and YOUR successful journey down the river of life.

“I believe it is our responsibility (or CHOICE) as human beings to ‘serve’ others through sharing our ‘God-given’ abilities, knowledge, experiences and especially talents.
These are our gifts from our Creator; but what we do with those talents is our ‘gift to God’.

I want to light a candle of hope and love, by shining my own ‘little light’
(note alliteration!) on the world as brightly as I can.
This spirit is my ‘little gift’ to God, Life, the Universe, Infinite Spirit, the Ultimate Source.”

“If I can throw a single ray of light across the darkened pathway of another;
if I can aid some soul to clearer sight of life and duty, and thus bless my brother;
if I can wipe from any human cheek a tear,
I shall not have lived my life in vain while here.
If I can guide some erring one to truth, inspire within his heart a sense of duty;
if I can plant within my soul of rosy youth a sense of right, a love of truth and beauty;
if I can teach one man that God and heaven are near,
I shall not then have lived in vain while here.
If from my mind I banish doubt and fear, and keep my life attuned to love and kindness;
if I can scatter light and hope and cheer, and help remove the curse of mental blindness;
if I can make more joy, more hope, less pain,
I shall not have lived and loved in vain.
If by life’s roadside I can plant a tree, beneath whose shade some wearied head may rest,
though I may never share its beauty, I shall yet be truly blest –
though no one knows my name, nor drops a flower upon my grave,
I shall not have lived in vain while here.”
– St Francis of Assisi

Thanks so much for sharing with me “many many moons ago”, mom