This past weekend I dipped into a new book, “Hero on a Mission” (Donald Miller).  

“What if we are much more responsible for the quality of our stories than we previously thought?  What if any restlessness we feel about our lives is not in fact the fault of fate, but the fault of the writer themselves and that THAT WRITER IS US”.

I know this, I ruminate on this and yet it is so easy to fall into the patter of recreating past stories that come into our present and thereafter our futures.  He starts the book, reminding us that in our own lives there is the victim, the villain, the hero (the character who faces their challenges and transforms the situation) and then the guide (the character who helps the hero).  And we are ALL OF THEM.  There is the matter though of deciding which one we are more of in any given situation!  

With this in mind, I have a sense of urgency to begin clarifying for myself as to what I see as being ‘meaningful’.  I see meaningfulness as a great anchor that keeps me inching onwards and upwards. The clearer we are on what values are of utmost importance to us – so we have a vision that keeps us on track, that keeps us surging forward even when we might not feel like it.  This is why it is so helpful to keep reminding yourself as to what you do value (each and every day) and as to what story you are creating for yourself.  And do just know that your story IS important for others too.  This is an aspect of my own life that I am paying heed to.  

You may have heard of the expression “comparison is the the thief of joy”.  And how true it is.  Comparing inorder to learn a new habit or a better and more effective way of doing something can be so helpful.  But comparing yourself to your peers and colleagues and friends from a lens of just not being ‘good enough or capable enough or just not enough in general’ is debilitating and exhausting and actually depressing.  The real reality is that we have our OWN missions, our OWN way of doing things, our OWN character and traits and it is when we really show up as our selves in a genuine way that we are able to offer to others insights, approaches and capabilities that are needed and appreciated by others.  

Can you imagine what it would be like, even for a short moment, to just absolutely let go of all insecure and ‘not enough’ thoughts?  What would it be like to just know that you are making a difference, that you add such value, that you are respected, that you are doing your best work, that you are impactful and that your life’s mission is so worthwhile?  I think that you would be standing taller and smiling at the thought.  So, what about stepping into that thought today?  What about just being your own wise councillor and owning your life story thus far and thinking as to how you are steering your story from now on?  What about showing up for yourself as a person who has self worth? I wonder how that would feel like?  

Only you can create a life with meaning in that it is you who decides what is meaningful and purposeful for you,  And this can only really be done through taking action, choosing to do ‘something’ rather than nothing, and deciding for yourself how each day looks like – deciding how you are showing up. 

Own your story thus far with kindness;  appreciate your own unique value, worth, contribution and abilities; dream a vision for your future, see it and feel it; each and every day decide how you are going to best be if you are your own hero and guide.  And always keep reaching out to your most supportive friends.  Your community matters.  

“When we live a life of meaning, we invite others to do the same.  Those who come behind us will build on our stories.  They can add to them and make them better because we have showed them the way”.  (Donald Miller, Hero on a Mission, p185)