At the end of my life, I want to know that I did all I could with all I had. The thought of looking back on a life of unrealized dreams is painful. I want to know that I had the courage to be who I truly am and that I made every effort to fulfill my potential. I want to know that I contributed something to the betterment of humankind. To me, this would be success. Benjamin Franklin said, “The noblest question in the world is, “What good may I do in it?” I love this idea. It inspires me to think about the meaning of my life.
For most of us, living a successful life means living a life of meaning and purpose, which brings a keen sense of fulfillment. Many of you may find yourself already deeply fulfilled and on an upward spiral as you are living your dream and sharing your gifts. However, if you are seeking to live a more meaningful life, finding your sense of purpose often means asking questions such as: What would I like to contribute to the world? What would I like to give back as a token of gratitude for having been given the gift of life? What difference would I like to have made in the lives of those I love?
To be involved in a continuing quest for deeper meaning and significance in everything we do shapes our life in the most powerful way. Wherever we are on our journey, we can make a conscious decision to create our own definition of success and live our own dream.
