COMPOSE YOUR LIFE
Coaching … March 2010
Newsletter
www.ComposeYourLife.ca
CONTENTS
1)
Contribution and Legacy
2)
5 Steps to Making a Contribution
3)
Quotable Quotes
4)
Coaching with Valerie
CONTRIBUTION
AND LEGACY
Recently I spent some time contemplating the question: “What is it
that most people desire?”. Some of the
obvious broad categories which came to mind were happiness, health, money,
security and fulfillment. As I thought further, it seemed to me that almost
everyone also wants to feel that they are contributing
to something bigger than themselves, using their unique skill sets to make
a difference, or maybe just leaving the world a tiny bit better …
In spite of this, many people spend their lives simply enhancing
their lifestyles, rather than living a lifestyle which enhances their lives.
Have you ever noticed how people who focus solely upon their work because it
pays well (and then feel controlled by it!) are rarely content with their lot in
life?
In order to live fully, our innate human desire to make a
contribution – to create a legacy - needs to be both recognized and acted upon.
Parents instinctively strive to perpetuate certain family traditions and
rituals; philanthropists choose to leave substantial financial endowments to
organizations whose values they share; and people from all walks of life
volunteer their time, money and expertise for an astounding variety of
charitable causes.
And what do all these deeds have in common? They are all
manifestations of giving without expectation of receiving in return, and they
all value something which goes beyond the realm of the individual self. Knowing
clearly what is of ultimate importance (that is, what one’s core values consist
of) is the first step in this path towards finding meaning through
contribution. When one participates in some form of altruistic service, a
win-win situation is created whereby both the giver and the receiver benefit.
Some studies go as far as to say that the act of giving benefits the donor (in
terms of their physical and mental health) even more than that of the
beneficiary. When you share in doing good for the world, you have an instant
feeling of gratification - it simply feels great! So take a moment right now
and ask yourself: “For the betterment of all concerned, what are some of the
ways that I can make my greatest contribution?”.
5
STEPS TO MAKING A CONTRIBUTION
1.
Albert Einstein said: "It is
every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of
what he takes out of it." Einstein is probably one who gave back more
than what he got, but individual contributions don't need to be grandiose to
meet this obligation – for men or women! It all starts with replacing the question, "What
do I get?" with "What can I give?" in every situation.
2.
Make a list of people whose legacy you admire.
What values do they embody? What are some ways you could continue this legacy within
your own context?
3.
Ask
yourself: “What would I like to be remembered for after I’m no longer living on
this earth?”
4.
Use the internet to give back to the world
with a simple click of the button. Check out sites such as www.thehungersite.com, www.therainforestsite.com, www.thebreastcancersite.com
and www.care2.com
and
see how even little acts can help.
5.
Work with a Life Coach to help clarify your
values, define your unique skill sets and see where you can make your most
meaningful contributions.
QUOTABLE
QUOTES
There are certain things that are fundamental to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase 'to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy'. The need is to live our physical need for such things as food, clothing, shelter, economical well-being, health. The need to love is our social need to relate to other people, to belong, to love and to be loved. The need to learn is our mental need to develop and to grow. And the need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence, and contribution." Stephen R. Covey
“Don't ask yourself the world needs; ask
yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." HaroldWhitman
“The
greatest legacy is that which benefits the widest number of people for the
longest period without limit to value.”
Cat Stevens
“What
you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven
into the lives of others.” Pericles
“This
land, this water, this air, this planet - this is our legacy to our young. "
Paul Tsongas
"We all leave footprints in the sand, the question is, will we be a big heal, or a great soul."
WORKING WITH VALERIE
If
you need help shaping your ideas into meaningful contributions, please contact
me at info@ComposeYourLife.ca for a
complimentary coaching session. I'd love to offer you to a taste of what
coaching can do in your life and help
you create the outcomes you long for!
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