Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,
A few years back I was at an event where I heard a speech by best-selling author, Dr. Myles Munroe. It was the first time that I’ve heard him speak. It was also the first time that I’ve ever heard of Dr Munroe. I found his talk to be very warm, engaging, insightful and extraordinary. Below are some thoughts for Labor Day week that were inspired by Dr Munroe.
Dr. Munroe said this of an acorn: “How does an acorn know to become a great oak tree?” The answer: “Because that’s what’s inside of it. It was programmed into the acorn.” He said that when he looks at the acorn he sees a great tree. Question for all of us: How do we know what we’re supposed to become? It’s the same answer. Because it’s something that’s inside. We’ve all been pre-programmed with certain gifts. That’s what makes the world go around. It’s what’s inside.
There’s a premise that states: All people are born with certain gifts inside of them. It’s a seed that contains talents and a guidance system. It’s different for many people. That’s why we all like different things. If we act and follow the directions that these talents guide us towards, we find a sense of purpose; boundless energy and a sense of destiny. We are all born with something that we are supposed to do. I would argue that there is no real deep-seated peace within us unless we are travelling in the direction of those gifts.
Many people spend their whole lives trying to figure out the meaning of life. As I write this weekly message, I’m still searching for all of the answers, however, I do believe that I have a small part of it figured out. I believe that we are all put here to do things for the betterment of the world and for the people in our lives. It doesn’t seem to matter how old someone is. If there is a sense of unfulfillment in someone’s life, they will never rest easy until they find out what it is they are supposed to do, create, or share for the benefit of others.
If the acorn knows that it’s supposed to become a great tree. It’s possible that in our own right, we, as human beings need to grow into that great tree that represents our talents in life. It’s the only time that we can find real peace within ourselves. Don’t we feel best about ourselves when we are performing at our best in our chosen field of endeavor, or when we’re helping someone else through the kindness that has been placed within us.
Fulfillment in life is what we all strive for. I believe that we realized true fulfillment when we fully develop and share those talents that are pre-programmed within us.
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain
Yours in Rotary,
Tony Parziale