Purpose

Sometimes I wonder why am I here?  What was I put on this planet to do?  Usually, I am a little disappointed because I can't see a grandiose action that I must accomplish before I leave this place.  Or if I manage to imagine something that seems worthy, I don't see how I can accomplish it.  If you feel the same, fret no more.  I attended a workshop on Tuesday that has changed my perception and it may change yours, too.  The workshop was called "Successful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier and More Resilient."  The speaker was Valorie Burton who authored the book by the same name.  She talked about finding your purpose and said that most of us have been doing what we were meant to do most of our lives, just maybe not to our full potential.  It is something that comes so natural to us, we often overlook it and it could be something as simple as bringing joy to people.  Do you mean after all these years of searching for my purpose, it could be as easy as helping people feel better about whatever situation they find themselves?  Not everyone has the same purpose.  The question to ask yourself is how is someone's life better after they cross paths with me?  If you can't think of anything, ask the people around you.  They will know the affect you have on their lives.  If you see a pattern forming, that's your purpose.  I know it sounds simple.  I almost couldn't believe it myself.  It seems my purpose is to bring joy.  I can do that!  I can still achieve world peace and end poverty & hunger, but it doesn't seem so daunting now.  :-)

Do What You Love...

And the money will follow.  Isn't that the advice of the successful people selling those books and courses on how to be successful?  Well, here's what I love - partying!  I love to be in a space with people and music and food and drink and everyone having a good time.  So far, that has only cost me money.  But I am working to change all that.  Kelsi and I have started a new website, http://www.thatsmyturf.com/.   It's a site where we will list upcoming events and chronicle some of the fun stuff we have been doing - our adventures.  Here's a brief overview of our adventure just last night: 

It started out as a quiet evening at home when I received the text, "I'm at D***n's."  This was followed by a brief conversation asking about the activities happening there, which was nothing but enough for me to change my clothes and meet her there.  Within 30 seconds of sitting down, I was tasting a mocha colored concoction and guessing its ingredients: butterscotch schnapps, Irish cream and some mystery alcohol, which turned out to be Jagermeister.  Now, I'm not a taste tester or anything but if one of us gets something and it tastes a little out of the ordinary, the other one has to try it.  She didn't like it, so I finished it.  It was ok but I didn't order another one.  Instead I started with my old friend, Jack Daniels, mixed with Amaretto and cranberry juice.  Kelsi had a meeting with her old reliable, José Cuervo.  With our thirsts sufficiently quenched, we were ready to impact our environment - starting with the music.  There wasn't a dj on this night and we could choose our own music on the jukebox.  While Kelsi reset the mood for the single people present, I struck up a conversation with the gentleman playing video trivia next to me.  It turns out he was the only one playing, so I requested a handset to join in.  I had seen the questions on the tv monitors before but had never played.  Kelsi and another gentleman joined in and we had ourselves a game.  I don't claim to be a trivia buff, I just have random stuff in my head.  But I did manage to make my way onto the weekly top 10, twice.  (I may have to go back next week and play a game just to keep myself on the board.)  It was an early night there so we had to find a second location for the rest of the night.

We were headed to a spot to hear blues (Kelsi's new favorite) but detoured to the motorcycle club.  Kelsi had been there before and met some of the members but this was my first time.  Word to the wise, you can't just show up at a motorcycle club.  You have to know a member.  Luckily, the member Kelsi met was there and could vouch for her.  Once we were vetted, the gentlemen proved to be very hospitable.  We stayed for a brief time, met everyone and enjoyed some more libations.

Our last stop proved to be the biggest adventure of them all.  We promised to stop by a certain spot in Decatur to see a friend who was working.  It was a neighborhood spot and we were newcomers.  Unlike that new girl in school when you were a kid, we were greeted like the new foreign exchange student.  Everyone was very friendly and talkative.  And did I mention old.  This place was old man central but they were pretty cool.  Since it was the end of the night, we had to assess our finances for the rest of this adventure (as I mentioned earlier, the money hasn't come yet).  We were still able to finance a couple of shots of José to finish the night and leave a nice tip.  In the meantime, we talked and danced and generally had a good time.  Also, Kelsi gave away her earrings.  The lady really liked them.  I have lost a few accessories that way, but I have also gained some. (Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.)  A nice gentleman offered to pay our tab and we let him.  This meant the bartender received an even better tip.  Win-Win!  Everyone had a great time and I returned home before my morning alarm went off but just barely.  J