Self-Devpt. Nuggets™

By “purpose”, I mean the ultimate, over riding objective that you set for yourself to achieve over your entire lifetime.

It has been said that a well-defined purpose is actually one that will keep a person busy trying to achieve it till he/she dies. However, that person would derive the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment not just from actualizing that objective, BUT also in the process of working towards that achievement.

As I said in my FREE auto responder e-course titled “Ten Ways You Can Use Self-Development To Create The Future You Want” that kind of “purpose” has been described by some as a “Magnificent Obsession”.

Now, if we think of highly successful people in our respective societies, we can reasonably deduce what purpose in life each of them has (or had).

In Nigeria, for instance, the late fiery Lawyer Gani Fawehinmi, seemed to be obsessed with fighting for the emancipation of the rights of the common people.

That is the masses, the downtrodden, the poverty stricken and the disadvantaged.

That his cause/purpose was his “obsession” could not be doubted when one saw the passion with which he spoke about it, every single time he had the opportunity.

It goes without saying that THAT was why he lasted so long in pursuit of that purpose. It also explains why he had such a huge following amongst Nigerians.

Same applies to Fela Anikulapo Kuti – who chose to educate us through his songs about the folly of our ways and those of our governments/leaders, as well as the need for us to avoid feeling inferior to others.

Fela died living the values he so fervently advocated.

Again, that was why he was so phenomenally successful – and acknowledged worldwide – in death – even by those he “preached” against!!

In effect, by “purpose” I refer to the special talent, skill, insight or ingenuity that a person (e.g. your child) might have to offer this world.

The exclusive niche s/he might end up – with proper guidance – carving for himself in the nation, on the continent – even across the globe.

That rare, unique quality which would make his/her name ring a familiar bell in the ears of people…

The way Mohammed Ali’s name today still rings very loud, familiar and pleasant bells in all our ears.

Ali is one man who, despite physical limitations imposed on him by ageing, as well as a nervous disorder, still continues to demonstrate the extraordinary courage and tenacity that has made many refer to him as the greatest Boxing Heavyweight Champion who ever lived.

He has indeed lived the dream he once had!

I challenge you TODAY to give your child also the opportunity to dare to dream BIG, and AIM HIGH, like those great people we all know…so s/he can over time, enjoy the excitement of striving to accomplish that dream.

As in the Olympics, the joy is not necessarily just in winning, but also in having participated. It is in having given it your best shot. And never having to look back with regret that you could have done better.

Let’s give our children that opportunity – even if we never got it when we were their age.

If you really love your kids, you will do this for them. And they will thank your for it…..all their lives.

PS: This article was first published online on November 27, 2009 via www.spontaneousdevelopment.com and Ezinearticles.com