Finding Purpose (in Manolos?)

Snow Day today! Gosh I love snow days. Like I said last month, they make me feel like I am back in elementary school and have woke up to the GREATEST DAY EVER!

Of course, every day should be the greatest day ever. And, today came pretty close, in a simple kind of way.

I went and saw a movie, which is a rare treat for a Monday afternoon. Confessions of a Shopaholic - which I undoubtedly related to more than I really wish to admit. Nevertheless, the main character's real identity, which eventually surfaces, is what I aspire to be - funny, edgy, fresh, inspired.

So, how do I get there? My "magic cards" are not the answer, and I am finding there are better ways to spend money than using these cards on Prada bags and Gucci boots. (Ok, I will admit that it would be amazing to actually own these or, my ultimate indulgence, a pair of Manolos.)

But, I just don't think I'll ever be able to justify the average $600 price tag when my conscious continues to remind me how far that money could go for better causes. Of course, from a purely feminine perspective, some of Manolo's designs are SO gorgeous!

It's funny how sometimes we are taken by surprise. And, how sometimes life takes us by surprise. Never would I have thought that I would blog about fashion or post a video about shoes. Come on. This is the woman who finds enjoyment hiking through nature, thanking the trees for their continued support to our environment and oxygen supply.

But, there really is more to it. This post is not about shoes, or bags, or shopping. Instead, it's about being the people God meant us to be. It's about living an inspired, full, complete life. Materialism cannot get us there because it is the connection to purpose which grounds us and makes life worth the uncertainty.

Just as in the movie, where Becky found truth and purpose in writing about complex financial concepts by relating them to fashion, so must we all strive to find purpose by exploring the things we are conversant in. We all have the gift to simplify the complex - and this can come in a variety of forms.

Today's Daily Word begs the question:

Am I feeling there is so much more I can do in life or desire to do with my life? That feeling may be an inner prompting that reminds me I have a great work to do, great gifts to give, and a great life to live.

I live by the belief that we all have specific gifts that we are born with. Our purpose lies in unearthing these gifts and then using them to the betterment of humanity and Mother Earth. So, while I know I will probably never own those Manolos, I also know that I feel inspired and complete when I connect with purpose and live a life of love and full expression.

Finding Your Passion

Finding motivation is sometimes a difficult thing. I was reading Frederic Premji's blog post: 7 Questions to Finding Your True Passion. It got me to thinking, once again, about following my own journey and keying in on my own passions.

I speak often of this topic with my friends. Somehow one would think by the time your reach your mid-thirties you would have everything all figured out. But, surprisingly, many of my friends admit that they have not yet connected with their true passions and continue to get swept up in the fast pace of everyday life.

From a close friend, here's a podcast that discusses her struggles in this area:

Finding Your Passion Podcast

Through the Eyes of an 8-Year-Old

UGA Alumni Association opened up Six Flags Friday night for students, faculty, alumni and guests. Although Atlanta's traffic precluded us from getting there until 2 hrs. after the park opened, my three guests and I spent four hours racing from roller coaster to roller coaster, seeking the next big adrenaline rush.

One of my guests was 8. It's funny because as we grow up, we tend to forget how 8-year-olds view the world. While we saw excitement and adventure in each of the thrill rides, he viewed them as scary obstacles that he was not quite ready to face. I have to give him credit though. He waited in the long lines with us, all the while contemplating his choice and giving a tremendous amount of thought to whether he would be able to at last face his fears and ride the upside-down loopty loops.

He decided to that the big roller coasters were just too much, so the smaller, tamer wooden ones would be a better springboard. After standing in line for 2 hours to ride the Goliath, we raced over to The Great American Scream Machine in the hopes of getting him his first roller coaster experience. Unfortunately, the person working the ride had notions other than letting us on the last car of the day.

So, long story short, this amazing young kid didn't have the opportunity to ride his first coaster because the attendant was having a bad day. The attendant wanted to go home and was adamant that the ride was CLOSED. Granted, it was 2 or 3 minutes after the chain was put across the entrance to the ride. We did get there just after the cut-off. But, other people were waiting and there was one more car set to make the final run.

The 8-year-old waited. Again, patiently. Finally ready to face his fears and see this roller coaster head-on. But, the attendant would have none of it. He was not moved by our pleas or the boy's tear-streaked face. How do you, as an adult, explain to an 8-year-old that he can't do what took him all night to get up the courage to do because one person wants to maintain a full-on power trip? How do you, as an adult, explain to an 8-year-old the complexity of power struggles and unkind deeds when all he sees is the world through untainted eyes?

We tried. And, in some ways, I think he understood. Even though the attendant was rude and the expletives muttered under his breath unacceptable (especially in front of the kids), I fully believe in karma and KNOW that it is a circular chain of events. What goes around comes around - or so the saying goes.

In that moment, one of those life lessons occurred that both parties learned from. Sometimes, when rules are concerned, it is better to consider the OVERALL PICTURE and make a decision based on the impact a POSITIVE ACTION will have. This is how we explained the situation to him. And, in his 8-year-old wisdom, he just nodded and realized that the attendant had made a poor judgement call.

We were able to get on one more ride - Monster Plantation - before leaving the park. And, interestingly enough, the two women working that ride, whom had also been there the entire day, greeted us with pleasantries and smiles. "Those women," the 8-year-old commented, "were really nice. That's how you should treat people!"

The lesson I think we all need to be reminded of is simple. It's so much easier to be positive, to be kind, and to live a life of love and compassion than one of negativity and unkind deeds. As far as the roller coaster scenario, it would have taken half the energy for the attendant to let the young boy ride on the last car of the day than expel the negativity and arguments. After all, the car went. In the whole scheme of things, what harm would it have done to let one 8-year-old ride and conquer his fear?

We can all learn a lot from our kids. Take the time to view the world through their eyes. Simplicity. Compassion. Forgiveness. All seem to come easy for them. They should come easy to us as well.