“The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” (Mark Twain) From the Jack’s Winning Words blog. Jack went on to write – Have you even taken a test to determine the best vocation for you? Are you in that vocation? I wanted to be a fireman, but God had other plans. MLK Jr advised some students, “If your occupation is to be a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be.” “Be the best of whatever you are” is the title of a poem by Douglas Malloch. 😉 Jack
There are lots and lots of books and writings on the meaning of life – the “why” in the quote above – including the book “40 Days of Purpose” by Pastor Rick warren, about your purpose in life, plus a ton of web sites, books and other stuff out there on the topic of being the best me that I can be.
Some days it’s harder than others to keep that in mind and to focus on being the best me; but, when you think about it who else could I be? Here’s a good quote that I saw by the late Steve Jobs –
It seems like Steve was saying to be the best you that you can be and not worry about trying to be somebody else. The MLK advice above is good to keep in mind, too. Sometimes we get so focused upon thinking about or worrying about the things that we don’t have or can’t do that we forget to enjoy the things that we do have and can do. We also forget to be thankful for what we do have when we spend all of our time focused upon what we don’t have.
Happiness is not to be found in coveting what others have, but rather in being thankful for what we do have and enjoying it with those that we love and who love us. There is also unbounded joy to be had in things that neither you nor anyone else can possess – the beauty of a sunset, the fragrance of a flower, the happiness in a child’s laugh or the warmth of a heartfelt hug. Perhaps we place too much importance on things that don’t really matter in the long run and too little value in the wonderful things and people that are all around us all the time.
Perhaps it is time to take Steve Jobs quote to heart and stop living to meet the expectations of others or that were set by the expectations of others. Be the best you that you can be and enjoy that, revel in that, find reward and satisfaction in that and be happy with that. You may find that you spend less time worrying about why you were born and more time enjoying the fact that you were. Have a great day and a great rest of your week.
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