Soul Purpose

Something big is happening these last few weeks.  Suddenly we are hearing from people who are all feeling “compelled to help” us further our objectives.  It’s been amazing to see.

We have an author who’s agreed to speak with us and hopefully it will be mutually beneficial.  He seems like someone who needs some deeper insight and I know Mike can help with that.  A good man. 

I was talking to a gentleman I admire and respect recently and explained briefly what we were doing.  His first reaction felt like it came from a place of judgement.  He simply wanted to know what media we had appears on or had been asked to.  That was a little odd.  He ended up just kind of blowing me off.  Then the next day he wrote me to say that he’d been talking to a gentleman he respects and who had come to him for advice on spiritual matters in the past.  As they got to talking the gentleman mentioned Mike’s book and said that it was one of the most deeply spiritual books he’d ever read and recommended it highly.  How’s that for God’s intervention?  Anyway, he now wants to talk to us further and has been giving us a lot of encouragement.

We had another benefactor step up to help on Monday offering to send Mike to conference where he could establish some key connections to help get the message out.  It’s a small conference…and even Jack Canfield is an instructor.  We’re both very humbled.  God seems to be opening all sorts of doors.

Last night we were talking to our kids (17 & 21) about the civil rights movement and other defining moments in both American and World history.  What seems clear is that kids today have never known a time when you didn’t have to question the motives of people in authority.

When Mike and I were growing up no one questioned the judgement of the President of the United States.  He was the the supreme authority for our country and it was un-American to speak against his judgement.  Then came Johnson and then Nixon who both deceived the American people.  All around us there was civil unrest as Vietnam roared on, but again, people were questioning the decisions.  Soon the media began to be exposed for biased journalism – politically or advertising dollar motivated.  Next we began to see companies caving in, having lied and deceived the public, and the leaders getting rich even in bankruptcy.  At the same time our clergy were being exposed for their manipulation of children and other vulnerable people.

Let’s face it, our kids have no idea who to trust.  But, there was an interesting dynamic in our conversation last night.  As much as they want to run away and live in a wilderness where no one can take advantage of them or deceive them — someplace inherently real — they also have hope that there is coming a return to truth, spirituality and simplicity.  That’s what they want.  They cited the return of jazz and folk music as a sign of that because it’s not manipulated.  It’s very raw music.  That’s the only way it works.  They also noted that the arts are a place of solace…of honesty.

Our young people are willing to give up their money ambitions in favor of a richness in life that money cannot buy.  They want to reach out and help others, and feel compelled to help turn things around.  They are ready to stand up for what they believe and what they want…and pitch in to help make it happen. 

What an incredible time in our history this is.  We are finally turning back to each other.  Valuing our “brothers” and considering their needs again.  Doing all we can to do what’s right, instead of looking first at the financial gain it might bring.

I encourage you to reach out to someone today and offer to help them in some small way.  There is so much good that comes from putting the needs of others before your own — with no expectation of gain.  We need this revival in our country.  We are all interdependent.  That’s the way we’re made, so please, put your needs aside for just a moment and reach out and help someone else.  Even just to genuinely ask how they are doing.  Then keep that moment to yourself – tell no one – and see how you feel.  It’s a beautiful secret to hold in your heart, and helps feed this “pay it forward” revival.