I recently had the pleasure to talk to the CEO of a non-profit corporation who quit her high-profile job to do something where she felt she could really make a difference.
She was on the fast-track to partnership at an industry leading world-wide firm. She enjoyed the work and was really quite happy with her career. She was treated very well and truly appreciated the development opportunities and investment the firm was making in her.
Yet when a friend told her about an opening “that was written to describe you”, she was curious enough to look into it.
There were many reasons for her not to take the job.
After all, she already had a fulfilling career. Many of people close to her questioned her decision. Yet she felt called.
So when the job was offered she gladly took it. Several years later, her enthusiasm for the new position hasn’t waned. The inner-knowing that told her to look into and eventually accept the job still burns brightly in her.
Every day she goes to work knowing that she is making a bigger difference than would have been impossible had she ignored the call of her inner wisdom.
She spoke eloquently of how we are all given many opportunities to step into a life that is bigger than just taking care of ourselves and our loved ones.
Life is constantly presenting us with chances to step into service of something more, something for the greater good, yet most of us are too comfortable to even hear, much less heed that call.
The good news is that life never stops creating openings for us. No matter how old you are, no matter what your current conditions, if you open yourself to the opportunity for something more it will make itself known to you. It may be a new career, new relationship or simply a new hobby or vocation. Once you set the intention to make a bigger difference in life, it will come to you, often in very unexpected ways. You do not need to worry about how it will come, just be ready, willing and alert to the possibility.
When you begin to work towards the mission that fills your heart, your life becomes more joyful, more interesting and more fulfilling.
What is your mission? What is the bigger difference you want to make in your life?
Find the answer to that question and your life will blossom. Then be ready and willing to move in that direction. Your alertness will show you the next steps, and soon you will realize you are on the joyful path of service to your mission.
