When a spouse or good friend suddenly dies, there’s shock, disbelief and loss.
That happened to me a few weeks ago when I received an unexpected text at a Saturday lunch.
My good friend John Palter, age 62, had just died during a morning bike ride in Dallas.
His sudden departure leaves me in a reflective state about priorities, purpose and commitment.
Continue Reading “Three things to ponder when a good friend suddenly dies” Absorbing hourly reports of Ukrainian genocide is driving worldwide anger and compassion.
What else can we do to stop brutal murders like that of Mayor Olha Sukhenko?
Neighbors found her body, hands tied, with her husband and son buried in a mass grave.
The war appears to be hopeless.
Where is God in all of this?
Where is sanity, beauty and goodness?
It’s in the power of purpose which is found in three noble ideals.
Mayor Sukhenko, 50, led her village of 1,000 with nobility and intent.
She renovated the kindergarten, cultural center and made other improvements to Motyzhyn.
Fellow mayor Tetiana Semenova, described Olha as a . . .
“. . . psycologist, priest and police, and many more things besides. Every year she put on a concert to celebrate the oldest and the youngest in the village, to thank military veterans, and to hand out awards for the best-looking street and building.” WSJ, 04/06/2022
On top of this, she led the resistance by supplying the Ukrainian military with Russian troop positions.
Russian soldiers murdered Olha and her family.
She died protecting her village.
Less than what? The best.
The best is not your best interest. It’s everyone else’s.
How many mayors have you ever heard of sponsoring concerts to lift the spirits of the oldest and youngest alike?
Olha was happiest meeting the needs of everyone she loved and protected.
All the way to the point of dying for them.
“She was the best person until her last minute.” WSJ, 04/06/2022
You don’t have to wait for a crisis to lead a life of purpose.
Why not do it right now with this simple exercise?
“If you could throw a log on a fire each time your life really made a difference, whether a small act of courage or kindness, or a work of art, would you have a bonfire or a flicker?” Richard Leider
Imagine it’s your 80th birthday. Write a statement about how your life made a difference: “My 80th birthday—‘Here is a person who . . .'”
This exercise will clarify a purposeful life like Olha, even if you make it past 50.
What guides your purpose?
