I believe that People Do Create Good Lives and do so as they firmly focus on their dreams and follow the paths of possibility set before them! I also believe that these paths are open to all of us and not just a select few! I believe that the power of creation lies within each of us and awaits release through our dreams and actions! Frankly, people always have created good lives — that is, the ones who set about purposefully to do so — regardless of the physical, political, social, emotional, financial or spiritual roadblocks in place at any given time! THOSE are the people we need to study and emulate! THOSE are the ones who carry influence for the greater good to the next level.
Perhaps the key component to creating a good life may be found in the nature of the vision that directs our actions. Purposeful action flows naturally from purposeful vision. Once we have established the picture of the nature of the good life we seek, the actual “doing” – the “creating” part of the adventure — begins to fall into place. In his book, Seven Habits of Highly Successful People Stephen Covey states, “How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and, keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to do what really matters most” (p. 98). Vision drives action while action quantifies vision!
- On a sheet of paper, your smart phone, tablet, laptop or pc write the names of at least three and no more than five people you know who have created a good life for themselves despite circumstances that might dictate otherwise.
- Next, beside each name, list the character traits and resiliencies they possess that empower them to accomplish what they have.
- Finally, go back and circle any of the same character traits and resiliencies that you possess.
In tomorrow’s post, we will use those personal resiliencies you listed to tackle the next part of this process!
When we study the lives of others who have created a good and meaningful life despite challenging circumstances we learn two things:
- People create good lives all the time and we can learn from them.
- We have the potential to create meaning and purpose in our own lives because we are no different than others.
Peace!
Mark E. Hundley
