Do you feel the need to give back?
The book My Time: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life by Abigail Trafford impacted me when I read it last year. She talks about 3 driving needs we must attend to for our well being:
- A sense of purpose
- A sense of connection/community
- Generativity
From the way #3 kicks my spell-check into action, either she made the word up, or I did! I recall thinking it was interesting, because it speaks to your need to be useful, to create something real, and to be well occupied. However she was using it to speak to your need to give back.
Once we reach a certain point in our journeys building family, occupations, and resources, there comes a rising drive to give back. A need to leave something of ourselves on this earth before we go. You might call it our legacy. It’s also a statement of what we value, what we want to perpetuate in the world.
Some do this through giving of their time and talent—volunteering. Others do it giving of their resources—philanthropy. Still others do both.
Yesterday morning I got to hang out with a group of women who do both, and do it with style. I was invited to attend the Soroptomist International of Sequim monthly breakfast meeting. I got to pass on the donations given so generously by those attending my book launch party. I also go to hear from some who are involved with the AIM High, Reach for the Stars book club at Greywolf Elementary School. Their stories reflected the enthusiasm they wholeheartedly bring to connecting with the girls. Clearly both the girls and the Soroptomists are benefiting, each in their own way.
A big thank you to the Soroptomists and all those involved with leaving the world a better place, at whatever level. It’s not only good, it’s essential in making us feel whole!
Coach’s Challenge: Take 15 minutes to sit down and list 5 things you’d like to leave this world when you go. Then list what you are already doing to make that a reality. If this leaves you with a warm feeling, wonderful! If it leaves you hungry to do more, it may be a way to put a little more frosting on the cake of your life. Leave a comment about what you discover.
