When purpose in life looks like a Wet-One®.
People feel like they are purpose-full when their lives follow a pattern in which they make everyday choices that align with their inner Compass (i.e., their strengths, values, and sources of personal meaning). Given that the “guts” of our inner Compass are unique, each of us live out our sense of purpose differently. Let’s face it – those of us that funnel our purpose choices into accomplishing or creating something often get more affirmation and attention over others who focus on being a certain way in this world by intentionally enacting virtues like kindness, compassion, or gratitude in real-time.
Appreciating that all of our purpose manifestations are important, today I honor those of you in this latter group, especially those whose inner Compass prompts a lifestyle composed of small acts of kindness that remind others that they matter.
I was the recipient of the acts of kindness that come so naturally to these folks. Here’s the context: My daughter recently got married in a small outdoor ceremony. I started feeling poorly about an hour beforehand, attributing this to one too many rich meals in previous days. I donned my new dress and shoes, reasonably confident that I could make it through the brief service but I was wrong. Turns out I had norovirus and I vomited throughout most of the ceremony and then for hours afterwards, missing the rest of the wedding-related events that evening and the next day.
Small acts of kindness of a few people in the immediate aftermath and in the days that followed have stayed with me, prompting me to wonder how I’d have responded were someone else in my (soiled) shoes. Beyond feeling miserable, I was mortified as I sat on the steps of the gazebo when the ceremony ended. Most of the guests wisely kept their distance with that unspoken treatise implying that if they ignored me, this revolting distraction never actually occurred. The exception was one person who simply walked over, handed me a wet wipe packet, and sat down about 6 feet away and told me that she’d have to miss the after-activities too. A handful of dear-ones frequently texted or emailed to see how I was doing in the days to follow, concerned about my health and acknowledging my disappointment at having missed so much of my daughter and son-in-law’s special day. This continues to mean a lot to me and exemplifies the impact of being a certain way in this world as a purpose-informed act.
And so those of you who go through everyday life intentionally showing interest in the needs of others, easily and frequently offering kind words, I thank you. Your brand of purpose is life-giving and morale boosting to so many of us. As my mom used to say, “Shine on.”
How about you? When have you lived out your values as an act of purpose?
Onward!