Okay, so it’s Day 7. Yes, I skipped a few days. I might post about those at some point, but in the meantime, Day 7 is the one you get!
The challenge today was to think about the job/life/mission I have now or that I dream about having and ask myself the following:
1: What are you about?
2: Why is it important to you?
3: What change are you trying/hoping to create in the lives of others or the world?
4: What would the world be like if it didn’t have what you are trying to create?
5: What would it be like if you helped create it in abundance?
Initial thought was, “I don’t know.” I started to say I don’t think the world would miss me or what I do, but I know a few people who would. But question 4 isn’t asking what the world would be like without me – it’s asking what the world would be like without what I try to create. What would the world be like without music, creativity, silliness, or helpfulness? Pretty damn boring and really, REALLY sad.
Then I thought about some of my roles.
Wife & mom are similar roles. I’m about supporting my husband and daughter in whatever it is they’re trying to do. It’s important to me because I want to see them succeed and be their best. I want my husband to be able to follow his career and not have to worry about things at home. I want my daughter to be able to focus on doing well in school and exploring her talents.
Program Coordinator. I’m about supporting the residents in my program so they can be the best doctors they can be. It’s important to me because I want to see them succeed and be their best. They came into this profession to help people – not do paperwork. Granted, it’s part of it, but as long as I’m here, I’d rather they focus on the people and let me worry about the paper.
Hm…I’m seeing a trend here.
Church musician. I’m about selecting music that supports the readings and sermons in the hopes that the message reaches as many people as possible. I don’t want anyone to leave our church and not know that God loves them and that Christ died for them.
…definitely a trend.
Support support support
Why is it important to me? Because I like seeing people succeed and be their best.
What change are you trying/hoping to create in the lives of others or the world? I’m not sure that I’m really trying to create change, honestly. Or even hoping to create change. It would be nice if others who have been supported would then turn around and support others, but I don’t believe that’s really my goal. To me, that would be a bonus.
What would the world be like if it didn’t have what I’m trying to create? Okay. So I’m not trying to create change, but I am trying to create support so that others can succeed and give their attention to their passions. What would the world be like without supportive people? I think it would be one gigantic feeding frenzy. If no one looked out for others, we’d all be focused on ourselves and our own agendas – screw what anyone else wants or needs.
What would it be like if I helped create support in abundance? I think it’d be pretty cool. Although, I do picture the gophers from Looney Tunes:
Be Polite – Looney Tunes
Am I perfect at it? Nope. I fail sometimes. But sometimes I get it right.
The last step of the challenge (well next to last, sharing this is actually the last step) is to think about how I choose to live out these truths. If I had to take those answers and write a simple vow for my life, what would it be?
Toku actually helped me here. I posted my initial thought on his blog (partially quoted in the intro to this post). His response was, “So the world would be a boring place without the work you are trying to do. You’re about keeping shit interesting. Sounds like a good start.” So there it is – my simplistic life vow: I’m about helping people succeed and keeping shit interesting.
Lovely post and I think a good vow. One thing that made me curious was that you said you weren’t trying to create change and yet your declaration of your faith is so powerful.
What change do you hope would happen in people if they felt god loved them and that christ died for them?
I know for myself that sharing my beliefs and the powerful experiences that changed my heart are right at the center of my vow.
So I’m curious if you are creating change, but just a little shy about owning it.
I also saw many other ways you were creating change in the lives of others in your post. Don’t forget that when you are truly yourself and support others in being themselves the change you make is significant.
Just a thought. Good post!
Interesting. So perhaps I am trying to create change. Perhaps it’s to change a person’s perspective of themselves, the world, and their place in it. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. God didn’t give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. ALL that good stuff. And I want people to know and experience that truth. To what end? I don’t know. Maybe I’ve lived with a spirit of fear and timidity and know it’s not a fun place and I don’t want others to go through that. Or I want them to know there’s hope. Still not sure that speaks to an “end goal,” but it’s closer. Definitely food for thought!