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Let your life be driven by PURPOSE

By Buhle Dlamini

“Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else’s hands, but not you.

Jim Rohn “The Challenge”

“The Purpose of life is to live a life of Purpose” -Richard Leider A lot is said about purpose these days. Bookshelves and bookstores are full of books that speak about this topic. We are seeing more and more people asking questions like “what should I do with my life?” “Is there something specific I must do with my life?” Perhaps one of the most read books around the world today is “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. More and more people want more than just to get a good job or make a lot of money or even be famous. There is a deep-seated desire in all of us to want count for something, to make a difference in some way or another. This desire is really about seeking after the purpose we were put here to accomplish, that one thing that will make our lives worthwhile and fulfilled.

Eight years back I found myself having to deal with some questions as a young teen studying Analytical Chemistry at Technikon Natal. Up to that point I hadn’t thought much about my future and where I wanted to go, back then what was more important was what kind of a salary I was going to earn and what car I would later drive. As I started to look deeply at my life and where I was going I became less satisfied with those things as things to live for (this happens to others sooner than others). I realised there is much more to life than living for yourself and your own comfort. I realised that I was put here for a reason, and then I started searching for this reason, this purpose for which I was created. Purpose speaks about the reason for being. For any company to exist and be in business it needs to create a product that has a clear purpose. If the product has no real purpose it gets harder to sell it. A kettle exists for boiling water and it only fulfils its purpose by boiling water. You can use the kettle to water your garden but it will not be operating at its best because it wasn’t created for that. Just like a kettle has a specific purpose for being, you also have a purpose and a reason for being you. Realising your purpose is key to activating and living up to your God-given potential. When we are born or growing up, no one knows which one of us is going to be the president, the soccer star, the gifted artist, the successful businessman, the great doctor and the powerful evangelist.

We are all wired differently with certain tendencies, likes and dislikes that make us who we are. As a result we are drawn to different things and also possess different talents and skills. When we start to pay attention to the things we have been entrusted with and listen hard to what our deep passions and dreams are, we move closer to our purpose. Personally I found that our God-given purpose lies in the tiny place where our desires/dreams, our gifts/talents, opportunities and God’s will overlap. To discover this tiny place you need to ask yourself and answer these questions:

Ų What am I really good at? What are my natural talents?

Ų What do I really desire/dream to do with my life? What am I passionate about?

Ų What opportunities are out there for me?

Ų What does God want for my life?

When you find your purpose it becomes your personal guide in navigating this world. Purpose helps ordinary people to do extraordinary things and live extraordinary lives. This is not because they are better than others, but because they allow themselves to be driven by a clear purpose. Are you clear about your purpose for living or are you just living from day to day without a real and clear aim. It will be sad to let your whole life pass you by without finding and living out your purpose. Why don’t you start today and see what happens.

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TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE 16 September

by Buhle Dlamini

Let there be no doubt: as long as you continue to blame others instead of assuming your responsibilities, you will make no meaningful and enduring change for the better. -- Gary Ryan Blair

We live in the blame generation, if something goes wrong we look for someone to blame. We have become so good at blaming others for everything that happens that we never take any responsibility. We create reasons why we are not living our full potential so that we can hide behind these false facades and never take responsibility. It is much easier to blame our parents, our teachers and our society than to stand up and fight for our God-given potential. You were born with great potential for the benefit of the world and yourself in fulfilling your God-given purpose. You are responsible for making sure that this potential is activated and that you live up to what you were meant you to become. Start taking responsibility of your life now while you are still young so that you will be all that you can be.

“My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”-- Oprah Winfrey

Start taking responsibility for your future. Not only that, but also become an example to others while you are at it. How you live your life will say a lot about your future. Start realizing that your future depends on what you do with your life now. The decisions you make today will determine the kind of future you will have tomorrow. Think about the things that will contribute positively to your future and that of others. Instead of blaming your parents or people around you for influencing you badly you can be a good influence on them. Look at your life, the way you speak the way you love and your faith in God. In these areas, who is in control? Is it other people and circumstances or is it you with God’s help that is in control. When you watch TV who is in control? When you hang out with friends; who is in control of your tongue and how you speak? When it comes to managing your time and yourself who is in control?

Sure enough circumstances and your background can definitely make it hard for you sometimes but ultimately you to need to take responsibility for those things that you can. Many people have risen from horrible backgrounds and became pillars of society and contributed greatly to the world. They all took responsibility for their lives and with God’s help continued to live successful lives. If you want activate your potential you have got to stop the blame game and look within.

What areas are you still struggling with now? Do you continue to do things you know you shouldn’t? Are you committed to put an end to laziness, procrastination (putting things off and never getting to do them) and following the wrong crowd etc? Get with the program or be left behind. I encourage you to think deeply about this and then act.

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Changing the world– Starting with me 9 September 2004

Buhle Dlamini

“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.” Author unknown

As it is powerfully illustrated in the short story above, if you want to see change in your world you need to start with yourself. I had an opportunity of speaking at SACLA Youth Leaders Assembly 2004 on “The Vision & Passion of Change Agents”. It was a great opportunity to influence youth leaders from across the country and I wanted it to be powerful. As I was preparing for this I realised that to make a real impact in your environment you need to be the change you want to see. It was Mahatma Ghandi who said “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” And Jesus, referring to his disciples then and today, said “You are the light of the world!” These statements are profound and true. If the room is filled with darkness all you have to do is bring in the lamp and darkness disappears as it is replaced by the light. Daily we complain about the darkness of our times and our world. We grumble as we see injustice, poverty, suffering and we long for the day when things will be different. We wait in quite desperation for someone or something to do something, change something, and make something that will make our world a better place. As we do that the challenge comes back to us: “what am I doing to bring about the change I want to see?” The challenge goes much further than what am I doing, to who am I becoming to bring about the change I want to see. A story is told about how a desperate woman came to Mahatma Ghandi asking that he tell her son to stop eating sugar. Ghandi looked at the woman and the boy and said that they should come back the following week. When they did come the following week, Ghandi told the little boy to stop eating sugar. Puzzled, the woman asked him why he didn’t say this to the boy the week before. He replied “Last week, I was still eating sugar myself and I couldn’t tell your son to stop until I stopped.”

The question we should ask ourselves is: Am I becoming the change I want see in the world today? As we change ourselves we will surely start to see change in our circle of influence and it is amazing how that circle of influence grows over time. You can change the world in many powerful ways but unless you start with yourself the realisation of that dream will take much longer. What does the You that will change the world look like? Make a few statements to answer this question and write them down and develop a clear picture of the you that will change the world. Once you have developed this picture make changes that will make it a reality. This is how I want to live my life, making a significant difference, and I hope it is the same for you. Let’s change the world, together! It is possible.

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