So how did I find my calling? Well the picture above is me (the guy in blue) telling others about an experience I had in finding my calling. The picture was taken from a workshop I attended called "Write To The Bank". The host of the workshop was Dan Miller, author of "48 Days To The Work You Love". (On a side note the seminar was filled with valuable information about getting a book published through a publisher or better yet self publishing.) I received the confirmation to my calling while attending this workshop. During a break at our workshop I told the story below to a group of others. After telling my story a gentleman told me that about a week ago he was the "client" in the story I had just told. We had never met before that moment. The story that you are about to read came to me as a thought a few weeks before the workshop, but was lived out by this gentleman as the "client". He shared his story with me and stated how grateful he was to the person that provided him with the act of kindness stated below.
At that time of my life I was just your average guy going to work everyday in order to get a paycheck. I found security in knowing that I would be getting paid every two weeks. I wasn't getting paid what I was worth, but I felt a sense of security. The work I did had some aspects of helping others but it wasn't fulfilling to me. I got stuck in a routine and felt desperate to make a change in my work life. It got to the point that I didn't enjoy what I was doing and didn't feel I was serving my purpose.
On the morning of March 24th, 2011 while getting ready for work I had an amazing experience. I was looking into the mirror and wandering "What does God want me to do with my life?". I wanted so bad to serve my purpose in life but the thought of money kept clouding my ideas. I would often wonder how I could make money while serving a noble cause. In case you missed it in the last sentence, I stated making money as a priority over serving a noble cause. So as I stood there looking in the mirror I had an absolutely amazing thought come to me. It was a thought that played in my head as a story. The idea came to me in a way that I had never experienced before.
In my mind I had pictured an act of kindness that was so sincere that it brought tears to my eyes. The concept of the act was on a scale that was so magnificent it caused me to break down and started crying. Yes the big guy in blue that you see in the picture above was crying. The tears I had experienced were tears of joy because I knew that the idea was from God. The act of kindness I had pictured in my mind was of a barber giving a man a free haircut. There are two sides to this act of kindness, the barber was the (person giving) and the client was the (person receiving). In my mind I saw both men benefiting from the others generosity.
How would the client receiving the free haircut be able to give back to the barber? The client cant even afford a ten dollar haircut so financially he's unable to give back. The act of kindness may seem to benefit only one side for right now but take a look at the story from both sides. The client receiving the free haircut was extremely grateful because the barber had provided him with a chance at a fresh start. The client felt better about himself afterwards. He may have needed the haircut for a job interview or maybe a clean slate and a fresh start. I am unsure of the clients actual needs but the point is that a need was present.
How did the barber benefit from the act of kindness? The barber benefits in a couple of different ways. The first of course would be the giving of his services to someone in need makes him feel better. After all everyone enjoys that feeling. The second benefit will be experienced at a later time. (So much for instant gratification.) The client that received the free haircut will let everyone know how great of a job the barber did. He will recommend the barber to everyone who mentions a need for a hair cut. He will share his story about the barbers generosity to others in need. He will be able to use his experience to offer hope to the hopeless. The client will always, for the rest of his life go back to that same barber. In the future after the client gets back on his feet, he will gladly over pay and tip the barber a generous amount. The barber gave the client a lift when he needed it most and the client will never forget that single act of kindness.
The barber will receive new clients due to his generosity and his business will grow. The barber's side of the story teaches us to put others first. That's what this life is about. We all have a God given purpose to serve on this earth. Everyone of us is unique in the fact that we were created by God in his image. Our purpose can be found in the work that we do as well as things we do in our spare time. I found my calling through the story I just shared with you. I was put on this earth to help others discover what they were born to do. I am here to teach others how to Profit from Purpose. I want to guide others toward making a living doing what they love while giving back as well. Stop dreading Monday mornings, get out of the rut and live the life you were meant to. Serve your purpose on this earth. Do the work that you love. Profit from Purpose.
You Deserve It!
Visit my website: www.ProfitfromPurpose.com
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