I just finished reviewing Thunder Dog and one of the things I liked about this amazing account of Michael and Roselle’s descent from Tower One on 9/11 was the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
This quote from George Bernard Shaw seems to be a companion to the oft-quoted Marianne Williamson’s My Deepest Fear:
This is the true joy in life – being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
Michael Hingson has been blind since birth. Roselle was his guide dog (she’s now retired) at the time. His mighty purpose that day was to guide everyone from his office safely out of the building. His lifelong mighty purpose, it seems to me, is to improve access to everything for the sightless, to educate the sighted, and to motivate us all.
I think of many other people I have met who live their purpose every day. My business coach, Terri Levine, is one of them. An acquaintance from college who has lived a life of service to others despite battling cancer since 1965. There are many others I could add to the list, and I’m sure you have a list of your own. The book and the quote both inspire me to think harder about my purpose and work harder to be thoroughly worn out – not stressed, not overworked, just knowing that I’m happy with what I was able to give – before I’m on the scrap heap.
What is your purpose? How relentless are you in pursuing that purpose?
