Of Course I Know Why

Before going too much further down this new path, let’s review. I’ve written about discovering your purpose or the reason you were created. I’ve also written about being intentional or moving and acting with purpose. I’ve written about much more than that and not sure entirely of where you may have run across these posts, but that’s the starting point. I’ve also written about how to keep moving forward when things get tough. Today, I’ll write a bit about what’s the reason for doing what you’re doing.

Tons of us talk about having a reason, but they’re usually flimsy. It may happen that you need to pay your rent or mortgage. It could be the need for recognition in your career. It may also be an opportunity you didn’t want to miss. You may have countless reasons for taking the path you took. Here’s what I know for certain: your reason needs to be strong.

For me, I believe in my Creator. I believe there’s something bigger than us that governs all. I won’t go too far down that path, but I believe my Creator gave me a set of gifts or talents or better yet blessings. There are things I do better than most. There are things that I have consistently taken for granted for decades or for as long as I can recall. There are things which require little to no effort on my part. These things are almost second nature and I wield them with mastery. I know what they are and I’m willing to use them.

Years ago I sat and assessed myself, my gifts, my abilities, and my current situation. I determined what I liked, what I didn’t like, and put it on paper. I kept reviewing those things for several days, maybe weeks. I then began to ask “how can I use these gifts?” I also asked, “What will you not do?” or “How will you not use your gifts?” I also asked myself, “What’s your reason for doing it in the first place?” It’s great to have gifts. It’s great to have talent, but the mastery and application of talent requires effort. When I don’t know the reason for doing something I tend to be lazy, without direction, and rather slothful.

I recalled some reading I’d done. Napoleon Hill wrote about nine basic motives. I went through that list thinking of myself, my talents, and what I desired. Those became my reasons for doing what I am currently doing. Those things laid a foundation to build upon. Those motives ring true today, and for the last six or seven years, and probably rang true when the author wrote them.

I just changed the name of the post from “Of course it’s possible” to “Of Course I Know Why” since I ventured a bit further down this road than intended. Friends ask what’s got me doing what I’m doing. Friends ask my reason for continuing down this particular path. Friends and family alike may be curious about my choices and that’s fine. I’m no longer curious. I know. When you know, you know.

Some people get this lesson early in life. Others like myself, it takes a bit longer. The reason for doing what I’m doing and moving forward when others can’t see what I see is simple. It’s the reason I exist.

Not much more can be said about that. I have distilled it down to its barest of essence. I do what I do because it’s what I was created to do. Whe

This is the first part of the entry.