I struggle sometimes to recognize my Purpose. Sometimes, I get it. Other times, I wonder what I am missing.
I have come to the realization that every choice I have made—good, bad, or otherwise—has brought me to where I am. I have more recently begun to understand that the decisions of others have, likewise, led me to where I am. My parents, grandparents, siblings, spouse, teachers, coaches, friends, teammates,…. (You get the point.) We are all so interconnected.
Sometimes, we feel we want something—and that this something is our “Destiny” or “Purpose”. In the end (sometimes in the middle), we see there is/was a different plan for us.
As a WVU alumnus and fan, I can’t help but follow and be intrigued by the path of wide receiver David Sills V. Sills went from 13-year-old commit to USC as a quarterback to a junior college QB to outstanding, wide-receiver—leading the nation with 18 touchdown receptions and finalist for the Biletnikoff award (awarded to the nation’s top receiver) and several All-American awards. Less than a decade ago, I am sure he would have said that his purpose was to play quarterback. Today, his goals and opportunities are quite different. And I am sure that “wide-receiver” is not his Purpose. It is but a path to what, I believe, will be something more.
Our Purpose is always something more than where we are, today. We are always growing and moving toward something better. The greatest challenge in life is to recognize (and accept) that we are where we are supposed to be—right now.
It is all a matter of nature AND nurture. I love to take Per-Olof Åstrand’s recommendation to “choose your parents (and grandparents) wisely.” I am of the belief that we born perfectly suited to our Purpose and Mission in life. If you think you got the short end of the stick with regards to genes, environment, opportunity, etc., you might not be seeing your true purpose.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!