Discovering your purpose is exciting and obviously life transforming. Once you understand that you were uniquely designed to be just who you are, then it would make sense that you would have a specific purpose. Think about it, what object has ever been uniquely designed and produced without purpose in mind for it? The automobile was designed and produced to help people travel faster, farther and with more comfort. The telephone was designed and produced to increase our ability to communicate. Preparation-H, I've been informed, was designed and produced for puffy eyes. Just kidding...not totally. But, you get the point. Everything was designed and produced for a specific purpose and often, such as my last example, it may have related and surprisingly additional purposes to its original primary intent. The bottom line is that nothing was designed and produced without value and a purpose. Most importantly is that you grasp your value and purpose. 

After several hundred people took the time (thank you by the way) to respond to my On-Purpose survey, it is obvious how important this topic really is. The following is a quick listing of some of the results. I plan to address each of the topics listed below in the near future with the goal of assisting each person to truly discover and live life on-purpose rather than merely by accident.

Over 85% of people surveyed concluded that they are somewhat to not at all living their life on-purpose. Similarly, and I don't believe coincidently, nearly 80% of people stated that they are somewhat to not at all living with complete inner peace.

The following are questions which received less than 4% response as "100% Me":

My life expresses my life purpose.  2.74%
Those around me clearly know me as my life purpose.  2.11%
My work fully utilizes my talents and gifts.  3.93%
I regularly make time for personal restoration.  3.60%
I feel I am fully living my life.  1.82%
I have complete inner peace.  2.72%

Each of us was indeed designed and created for a specific purpose and to fulfill a specific assignment or calling. Combined, it is often referred to as your Life Purpose. Consequently, your Life's Mission (should you choose to accept it) is to discover, pursue, and fulfill your Life Purpose. The success of your life, therefore, will be directly related to the success of your mission.

I look forward to living a life On-Purpose with you!

 

The article below would not be a complete read without also reviewing the comments people have posted. The perspectives and personal insights shared in the comments are extremely valuable. Thank you to those who contributed. Some people need medical help and other people do not. Everyone, however, needs love.  Treat people with dignity as you are reminded, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

I read an article stating that the USA could now be referred to as "Medicated America" because so many Americans (nearly 10%--two thirds being women) are taking antidepressant medication. In the poll I recently posted, “Which emotion do you experience most often?” the number one answer was: “Stress.” Yes, people are stressed out, tired, hopeless, full of worry, and, now more than ever, medicated.  Depressing, isn’t it?!  Oops…didn’t mean to say that.  J   Okay, let’s just say it isn’t uplifting! 

So, what’s happening?  First of all, antidepressant drugs are now plentiful and readily available.  Nearly half of those who take antidepressants have never actually received a psychiatric diagnosis or any mental health care beyond just the prescription of the drug. Many people simply feel stressed and are looking for something to help them.

Believe me...I understand facing difficult times in life and wishing to numb some pain. However, whether taking medication is the right thing or not for you to do (I’ll leave that between you and your doctor), I would like to encourage you to also take something else.  That something is a different perspective.  Rather than seeing your challenges and pain as something bad, see them as something to help mold you into something better.  There is a saying, “Don’t pray for an easier life.  Pray to be a bigger man/women.”  Sir Edmond Hillary, after summiting Mt. Everest said, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” It may not be easy but it will be worth it. 

At some point, you must choose to win in life even when life seems to have the upper hand. Ironically, however, the first step in this victory is to understand that your battle really isn’t against life but rather with yourself.  You can’t change what happens to you but you can learn to change how you assign meaning and respond to it. “Extraordinary change always starts with the act of reframing,” teaches author/speaker Malcolm Gladwell. If you want to change your life, first change the way you see it. Don’t see yourself a victim of life. See yourself polished by life’s abrasiveness.  Then, choose to take positive action.

Consider applying the following three principles in your life:

1. You control the meaning that you assign to the events of your life. Assign it wisely.

Every adversity that you face can add to your bitterness towards others and life in general or it can be the experience that makes you better. Your challenges can help you relate to people. They can help soften you so that you may feel more for other people. Your challenges may, in fact, cause you to reach out closer to your creator seeking comfort and guidance.

Consequently, although your past choices may well be the cause for your challenges, the present meaning you may assign to them can be positive.  For example, the challenges have been necessary in order to help me connect with other people better.  They have softened me and made me more sensitive.  They have led me to a closer relationship with my creator.  That is, there are many good, positive answers to the question of what is the meaning or purpose of all of this?  Search for a positive meaning and be transformed. 

2. Attack or be attacked.  Choose to attack life rather than waiting for life to attack you.

One of my former coaches used to say, “Don’t wait for your competitor to do the attacking.  That leaves you racing their race. You choose when to attack and make it your own race.”  I have found that life is the same way. You won’t get far curled-up waiting for life’s next blow to you. Rather, get up, decide where you are going and get on it! 

If you don’t like the decisions you have made in the past…attack wisdom! 
If you don’t like the quality of people you associate with…attack the creation of new friends!
If you don’t like the state of your physical condition…attack good health!
If you don’t like your financial situation…attack creating a new income stream!
If you don’t like to worry…attack a higher level of faith!
If you don’t like your life…attack living on-purpose (ie, discover your purpose and calling and live it!)

3. Motion creates emotion. Choose to act the way you wish you felt…and you’ll feel it.

When I was a kid, I remember my sister had a poster hanging on her wall with a picture of a sleeping polar bear and a caption that read, “Act enthusiastic and you’ll be enthusiastic.”  I thought the irony of poster was kind of funny yet never realized how truly powerful the caption really was.  It didn’t say, “When you feel enthusiastic you will act enthusiastic.” It made a profound point that motion will create emotion. If you will act the way you wish you felt, you’ll feel it.  When you feel happy, your brain naturally triggers your eyes to look up and your face to smile.  However, if you start looking up and smiling, interestingly it will trigger your brain that you are starting to feel happy. Seems nuts?  Give it a try. 

Want to feel grateful?...start writing down what you are grateful for and really think on it. 
Want to feel happy?...serve others to help them be happy. 
Want to feel energized?...get into motion and go after something you value!

How about if you decide to take on life by taking on yourself?  We can continually look for ways to further escape life and its apparent challenges, or we can fully embrace it. Carefully assign meaning to the events in your life.  Choose to positively attack the areas in life you wish to improve rather than waiting for those areas of your life to attack you.  Finally, choose to get into motion--letting your motion create your emotion rather than waiting for the emotion to arrive first. Remember Helen Keller’s words, “Life is a daring bold adventure or it is nothing at all.”  Live bold and love life.

 

 

What if you only had 30 days to live?  What would you do?  I know it may be a disturbing question, and I realize that I'm asking it on April fool's day, but entertain it just for a moment.  If that was suddenly your situation, what would become your main focus?  Please click on the survey to provide your answer. 

Now, with that uplifting thought, enjoy your day!  :-) Really!

 

Hey Everyone--"All three of you!"  (to quote my friend Chris Brady ),

First, I want to thank you.  My goal with this blog is to be a service to lead, teach and inspire people to live life to its fullest.  Yet, I have received a great number of wonderful comments that have personally touched and inspired me!  So, thank you.

Second, in order to make this blog all that it can be, I am looking for your feedback.  I would love to hear from you as to what you would like to see here--topics, ideas, questions,...?

Although I have been light in posting this month, I haven't been short in writing.  In fact, much of what I have been writing I plan to publish later in the year. But for now, please let me know how this blog can best serve you. 

Thanks and God Bless.  Chuck

 

Take a look at the photo...check out the poor kid in the middle?  Have you ever felt like you were being squeezed by the less desirable aspects of life?  The pressure is significant, you may not be sure how long you will feel this way, and all the while you are cruising down the road of life. 

 

First, let’s establish the fact that, although at the moment it may be hard to believe, your life has purpose and meaning.  In fact, you were specifically and uniquely designed to fulfill an assignment on earth and you have gifts intended to be used for your purpose. 

 

Unfortunately, however, some people have a hard time believing that their life could have any particular purpose.  "I was just an accident" I have heard many times.  "How do you know?" I always ask.  "My parents told me..." is typically the response. 

 

Friends, nobody is an accident.  Your life is not an accident.  As Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, has said, "There are accidental parents. There are no accidental children. There are illegitimate parents. There are no illegitimate children. Your parents may not have planned you but God planned you. Really it doesn't matter whether your parents were good, bad, or indifferent. They may have even abandoned you. But they were the parents God chose for you. Why? Because they had just the right DNA to create you. And God was more interested in making you than He was in their parenting skills."  Interestingly, Pope Clement VII, Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Hamilton and even Josephine de Beauharnais (Napoleon's wife) have something in common...they were all born of illegitimate 'parents'. 

 

How did you get here?  Choices—the choices made by you and by others.  The good news is that regardless of how much we all mess things up there is God that desires to make good of it all.  Follow the process—

 

Stuff Happens.  I know that my not be the most popular version of the saying but the meaning is the same.  Stuff happens and it happens for a reason all right—people make choices and there are consequences because of them.  Unfortunately, we all make poor choices throughout our life.  Hopefully, we learn from them.  However, in the meantime people are affected by our choices just as we are affected by the choices of others. 

 

Our ability to choose—our freewill—is God’s greatest blessing and curse that He gave us.  If we didn't have freewill, then we really wouldn't be living.  Rather, we would simply be puppets with strings attached to the hands of God.  We would merely be an extension of His imagination.  We certainly wouldn't have a purpose to fulfill anymore than does a doll laying on your child's bedroom floor.  We would be more like a programmed robot sent to earth.  A program has predetermined functionality--if this...then that...  No, we are not puppets with strings nor are we programmed robots walking the earth.  We are living, thinking, and personally responsible beings.  We exercise our freewill to act and, consequently due to our poor choices, the world is no longer a perfect place. If God were not to allow evil to happen, then He would have to stop our freedom of choice.  

 

If our freewill to make poor choices is what causes stuff to happen in the world, then why did God give us freewill?  The Bible says that we were created to love God.  In fact, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:36-37) However, if God forced us to love Him than obviously it wouldn’t be true love, would it?  Only if one has the ability not to love but chooses to love anyway, is it genuinely true love.  Consequently, God gave us the freewill to choose to love Him or reject him.  That freewill extends to choices we make throughout our life. 

 

What is awe-inspiring, however, is regardless of how bad our choices are and those of the people around us--regardless of the mess that we may have made of life--God can ultimately use it all for our good. It is during these difficult times that our character is developed in such a way that we obtain the ability to fulfill our purpose.  How amazing is that?  God will take our struggles and use them for our strength.  Helen Keller said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."  Gothe simply said, "Character develops itself in the stream of life."  Ironically, struggles are necessary to achieve greatness.  Just as a butterfly must go through the struggle of freeing itself from its cocoon in order to develop the strength to fly, we too must grow from our struggles in order to fulfill our mission.  

 

The real question is can you say, "This is will all be for good," during the tough time prior to understanding how it worked out for you?  It is about having faith.  Given God made you for a purpose and has a plan for your life, can you have faith in Him?  A powerful verse in the Bible says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28)  Your degree of peace during difficulties reveals your faith.  Imagine the peace you would feel with the security of knowing that the God of the universe has your best interest in mind.  It's like seeing a movie for the second time and knowing all along how well it all works out in the end.  It's a lot more relaxing, isn't it?  

 

So, if you are the child on squeezed in the middle of life, don’t ask, “How did I get here?… Rather, thank God that somehow, someway your experience can be used for good.  Smile.  Have faith.  You are just passing through one frame of the movie of your life. 

If you ever want to learn about yourself, I recommend running for 24 hours straight. Well, on second thought, it might not be my first recommendation, but you would definitely have the opportunity to get well acquainted with yourself during such an event. You're body and mind will both be communicating with you at a volume that you definitely can't miss.

During my adventures of running in 24-hour competitions, I have learned a lot about myself; what keeps me going, what holds me back, what is important and what is not. Many of these discoveries can be applied in all areas of life and I will share one of the most critical lessons of all: Know Why!

So much focus is put on the how-to in our lives, but it all doesn't matter unless we know the why-to. I can teach you how to fuel your body during an extreme running event-how many grams of carbohydrates per hour, how many milligrams of sodium per hour, how much water, etcetera. However, if you can't answer the question of why you would do it, my information to you will simply become 'knowledge on ice'. It doesn't have value to you because you don't have a reason to use it-it doesn't support a burning passion.

This past November, I competed in the US Ultra-Running Nationals in the 24-hour competition. Unfortunately, it was not my best race. The first thirty miles were good but it wasn't coming together well after that point. It's one thing to have a tough race and know that it will be over in a few minutes. It's another thing to know that you have nearly twenty hours to go! Regardless, it gave me an extra opportunity to get a better understanding of myself. There is always a good side. You simply have to look for it. At hour 23, the course is shortened to a simple ¼ mile loop. My legs were fried after some 110+ miles of difficult racing. My body was way under-fueled. Blood was coming through my right shoe due to a poor job I did prepping it when I did a shoe change some 12 hours earlier; fortunately, it had gone numb by this point. Sadly, my 'why' had also gone numb as well, as the best answer to "Why am I doing this?" was simply "To finish." That is barely a 'why' at all and it clearly showed.

Everything changed instantly, however, when the race director announced over the PA system that Connie Gardner was on pace to set the women's American record! A new American record-I got inspired. Once I understood the great race that Connie was having, I got involved with her 'why'. "This is about making history…I must do all that I can to help her do it!" My 'why' suddenly had great significance-to help someone make history! The combination of having a 'why' of great significance as well as serving another person sent me on an internal mission to dig deep for energy. I put everything I had into moving faster…I focused everything on getting it going to encourage her. I was cheering for her while running. I found myself going faster and faster as my inspiration grew. It had to be one of the greatest lessons to me of the power of knowing 'why' you are doing something and how you can achieve so much more than you ever thought possible when the 'why' is significant enough.

Your life performance will correlate with your passion of purpose. What is the point? Why am I doing this? Have a great answer. It will make all the difference in the world. Two men working were each asked, "What are you doing?" One man responded, "Cutting stone." The other man responded, "Building a cathedral." Whose work do you suppose will be more fruitful? Who will get more satisfaction from what they are doing? Who will wake up with more energy to get back to their work?

Make a commitment to not only grow your knowledge of how to do things, but also to clarify your understanding of why you are doing them. Then, watch your energy, productivity, and fulfillment skyrocket in your life.

At some point we all search for meaning and purpose to our life. What is it all about? What is my purpose? What am I supposed to be doing with my life? In order to answer these questions there are a few necessary principles to understand:

1. You won’t clarify your purpose if you don’t stop for a moment. Your first step is to 'Stop!' Just stop for a moment. I know for many it can be a very difficult thing to do, but it is essential. For a few of you, this has never been a problem and we'll discuss the concept of 'Starting' in another posting. But, for the majority, it is all about being very busy. In fact, most people run through life in such a hurry they never stop and consider why it is they are in such a rush. "I don't really know where I'm going but at least I'm making great time!" would be an appropriate life slogan for many people. But, it has gone beyond just a fast pace, our busyness has become some sort of new status symbol--a true source of pride.

"I'm very busy" people say constantly with a proud tone in their voice.
"Me too!" someone else will quickly chime in as to not miss out on the mini-recognition ceremony taking place.
"I'm not" I love to contribute with a smile just to see them struggle to process the thought.
"Your not busy?!" they begin questioning with a look of confusion and even a bit of concern.
"What is it that you do?" they ask.
"I play with my kids. I work out. I love to read..." I'll go on.
Inevitably they interrupt me with, "That's not what I meant; what do you do for work?"
"Oh! Now that's a different question,” I'll respond.

Most people are so busy working to make money that when asked, 'What do you do?' we are just to assume the remaining part of the sentence is 'for work?' and their entire identity has become their work title: 'I am an accountant', 'I am an attorney', 'I am a carpenter'. You are? Is that who you ARE, or is that what you do for a living. It may seem like I'm splitting hairs here but I believe it is actually one of the sneaky traps that keep people from fulfilling their purpose. Because we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of working, paying bills, and generally getting through life, our purpose is merely survival and our vehicle is our work. But, is your work in line with your purpose? Have you even thought about it? I mean really thought about it. Most have not. It's like the guy visiting his neighbor only to see water covering the floor with a sink that is overflowing and a faucet still running. "Why don't you turn off the water?" the friend asks. "I don't have time to think about things like that. Can't you see I'm very busy trying to mop up this floor?"

Yes, we are very busy. We have this innate need to keep moving. But, remember, being busy doesn't necessarily mean you are being productive. Because you are in a hurry doesn't mean you are getting any closer to fulfilling your specific purpose. You will stop, sooner or later. We all will. If you stop now and think for a moment about your life, I am certain your life will represent so much more than it would have otherwise.

2. A key to discovering your purpose is to know where to look. Some people set off traveling around the world in search of answers. They may travel to the highest mountains and dive to the bottom of oceans in their quest but they will still be empty of purpose if they never look in the right place. Ironically, no matter where their travels take them, their answers travel with them. No, this discovery is not found outside but rather it is inside--inside of you. Take a moment and point at yourself. Go ahead, no one is looking. Now, look at your finger. Is it pointing to your head? No, it isn't, is it? It's pointing to your heart. Who you ARE resides in your heart. Your Creator put it there. The process of this discovery is really a matter of clarifying what deep down you already know. Then, it's simply a matter of being open to God's will in your life as you travel along your jouney.

3. Your purpose is not about doing but rather it’s about being. Too often people struggle to discover their purpose because they start in the wrong context. They ask, “What am I supposed to be doing?” It’s the wrong question. What you do is simply an expression of who you are. Your purpose is to be. Remember, we are human-beings, not human-doings. When you clarify your purpose as to who you are supposed to be, it can apply to every area of your life. If it doesn’t apply to one area of your life then you confused an expression of your purpose (eg., your vocation) with your actual purpose. For example, my purpose is to be a leader, a teacher and an inspiration. The way I apply that to family will be different than the way I apply it to work.

Once you have a handle on these principles—slowing down long enough to connect, looking within, and understanding it is about being and not doing—you are ready to clarify your purpose. In the upcoming postings, I will discuss a simple process to do just that.

Happy New Year!!!  There is something about a new year that is so refreshing.  Take an inventory of the lessons learned and the victories achieved in 2007.  Then, look forward to 2008 with great anticipation!  I love the new year because the world suddenly is full of dreamers.  You rarely hear people saying, "I bet this is going to be a real bummer of a year."  No, this is the time optimism rules the minds of people.  The new year is all about improvement. 

Take a moment to see the vision of Dec 31, 2008.  What do you see?  What improvements have happened?  What accomplishment are you most proud of?  Truly explore the vision.  In order to hit a bulls-eye you must have a target.

Next, make a commitment to two things:

1. Stop doing something that's holding you back.  What is it?  Make that decision right now.
2. Start doing something that will contribute most to the realization of your vision.  Put it into your daily routine.

Remember, if you want a change in your life, you must make a change in your life.  I know...that was deep.  However, it is very true.  Give love away.  Smile once a day at a total stranger.  For many, it may really confuse them but, for some, it may be the little act of caring they needed.  Give money away.  There are plenty of people and causes that are in need and no amount is too little.  Give God's Grace away.  Forgive someone that doesn't "deserve" it.  Give these things away in 2008 and see if they don't come back to you in abundance!

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

I recently spoke to over 20,000 excited people affilitated with TEAM in Louisville, KY regarding Personal Mission Statements.  Since then, I have had a number of people asking me questions about the talk.  Here is an outline of the talk and a link to an article that is the best I've ever seen regarding helping someone write a personal mission statement.  Read this posting, click on the link and change your life!  Here it is:

 

In 1970, sociologist Dr. Edward Banfield of Harvard University described a profound study on success and priority setting.  He was searching for why some ...   more »

It was 9pm and the first 12 hours of running was complete...only 12 hours to go!  I stepped it up a notch and started clicking off some good miles.  I noticed that I was definitely in better shape than I was last year at this same event:  the US Ultra running National Championships--24 Hour competition.  However, a few hours later I realized I was having a challenge keeping down the necessary fuel to keep going.  That's not good.  I attempted some modifications to the strategy but wasn't having great luck.  My pace fell off and I struggled for a number of hours.  It came to a point where the focus was just on moving forward at all verse quitting. 

At hour 23, the course is shortened to a simple 1/4 mile loop.  My legs were fried after some 110+ miles.  My body was way under fueled.  Blood was coming thru my right shoe due to a poor job I did prepping it when I did a shoe change some 12 hours earlier.  However, when the race director announced over the PA system that Connie Gardner was on pace to set the women's American record, I got inspired.  I put everything I had into moving faster... I focused everything on getting it going to encourage her.  I was cheering for her.  I found myself going faster and faster as my inspiration grew.  By the last 1/4 mile, I was running at 7:00 min/mile pace according to the race’s record log. 

The race, although far from ideal, left me with a number of lessons:
1.  I am a very fortunate person to have friends and family that are so supportive they would stay up all night and help me through it all.  Thanks Dad, Wendy, Randy, Sterling, Becky, and Lillian.
2.  Fuel is very important--get some more experience with other fuel sources.
3.  Inspiration that can come from helping another person can tap a deep source of energy.
4.  Connie Gardner is an amazing athlete.  Actually, I already knew that one.

Catalina Island is very hilly.  It is also very dark in the hills early in the morning in January.  The race began at 5:00am.  It was very cold, windy and, immediately outside of town, very dark. I had to laugh at myself because it was so me to show up for a 50 mile run in the hills of Catalina pre-sunrise without any sort of a light.  What a rookie.  No problem I figured...I'll just stay with the leaders since obviously they all have lights.  Well, the leaders all run like gazelles up and down these hills so I needless to say I was pushing it quite a bit early on in the race.  The sun finally came up and I could now run my own race!  Up and down...up and down.  Yes, hill training would have been good for this one.  I'm thinking around mile 30, what am I doing here?...running in the dark, up and down these hills, what's next?  Just then I met up with a runner who asks me, "Seen any buffalo today?"  "No, I haven't" I replied.  "Well, whatever you do if you see one don't look it in the eyes...it will charge you!"  Whether true or not, it certainly got me a bit more alert!  It was a great day on the Island.  I highly recommend the race to any ultrarunner.  Just remember to bring a light. 

Race results: http://planetultramarathon.wordpress.com/2007/01/17/corrected-avalon-50-results/

The fun began 9am November 18, 2006. This was the start of my first ultra-marathon race. Why enter the 24 hour competition in the US National Championships for my first ultra race? Why not? Wasn't it T.S. Eliot who said, "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly know how far they can go." So, I went for it!

I had three goals:
1. To have fun.
2. To learn.
3. To run 120 miles.

After setting my goals I concluded that sometime during the middle of the night my first goal may actually be my most challenging to achieve! :) I knew the second goal would be an easy one since I had never done anything like this before. And the third goal? It was a shot in the dark. In training, my longest run ever had been 66 miles which afterwards I found myself in the hospital getting 3 liters of fluid to replenish my badly dehydrated body.

The race went wonderfully well. And, come 9am Sunday morning November 19th, 2006 I was one very happy Xtreme Runner having achieved all three goals.

Race Results: http://www.americanultra.org/news/nov2006.html