Doing What You Love

I had a few hours to myself the other day, and found that I must not exclude myself from being the target of penetrating questions regarding things that matter.

For a variety of reasons, I had good cause to scribble on paper a list entitled "Things I love to do." It boiled down to this:

• Nurture the members of my immediate family

• Write and talk about interesting themes and connections from the Humanities, whether fact or fiction—for the sake of simply learning or for application purposes

• Learn in ways that stretch both my heart and mind

• Make people laugh as part of a memorable learning experience or conversation

• Motivate people toward positive behavioral and perspective changes


Generating such a list naturally led to the key questions I cannot and should not escape. They are universal in application, relevant to anyone in my humble opinion:

• What am I doing now that positions me to do more of what I love?

• What should I be doing, or doing more of?

• What should I stop doing?

I brainstormed several possible answers to each of these questions, which I shall not bore you with at the moment (or at any moment, hopefully). But put the questions to your own test...and give yourself permission to do more of what you love! Others will notice the change...

Technorati Tags: [Passion]; [Focus]; [Intention]

My mission, should I choose to accept it

Recently I've re-read Bob Buford's great books Half-Time and Game Plan, which help readers focus on how to expend their energy during the second (and often most significant) halves of their lives.

As I get near 40 (gulp), I'm trying to follow Buford's suggestion of having a "life mission" that ties in with some key competencies and passions. Out of these areas flow some key commitments (as opposed to goals), and the areas of work and ministry where I would like to unleash that energy.

This is but a further refinement of similiar exercises I've put myself through during the past several years, as I have sought vocational clarity.

My Life Mission:
Leveraging words to help others thrive and discover eternal truths.

Competencies and Passions
Writing
Speaking
Learning Teaching
Equipping
Coaching
Inspiring
Organizing

Commitments

1. Healthy eating and vigorous exercise in order to be fully available to God, others and my vocation.

2. Using God’s gifts and talents in me for his best purposes in every season of life.

3. A loving, growing marriage built on faith, trust, laughter and romance.
4. Nurturing and equipping my children and grandchildren to love God, love learning and celebrate their gifts and talents.

5. Vital friendships with a few other men in every season.

6. Being a lifelong learner.

7. Speaking and acting against injustice, ignorance and suffering when I recognize it.

Work/Vocation/Ministry Areas of Focus:

Writing
Organizational Development and related work (coaching, facilitating, mentoring, team-building, change leadership, etc.)
Teaching
Organizing and equipping small groups
Speaking
Drama
Preaching
Connecting talent and resources


What is your life mission?