Past Wrongs Do Not Define Who You Are Today
Mental/Emotional Issues OFTEN Are Simply Symptoms of a Life EMPTY of Meaning/Purpose

A LIFE OF EMPTINESS? I’m not talking about clinical issues here but matters of the heart.
- Purpose is what gives direction to your life. It makes every mundane day filled with significance.
- Many live their life without purpose, letting life lead them instead of leading their own.
IS YOUR VISION & PURPOSE CLEAR? ARE YOUR DREAMS STILL BURIED DEEP IN YOUR HEART… TO BE DISCOVERED?
It’s impossible to arrive at our life’s purpose without beginning with God, our Creator. We were made by and for God and until we get that, life will never make total sense. It’s only in God that we’re able to discover our origin, identity, meaning, purpose, significance, and destiny. Any other path is a false path to lead us astray.
- They love what they do and they do what they love.
- They can’t wait to get going and they enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
- They have fuel in their tank, this incredible amount of passion.
It’s impossible to arrive at our life’s purpose without beginning with God, our Creator. We were made by and for God and until we get that, life will never make total sense. It’s only in God that we’re able to discover our origin, identity, meaning, purpose, significance, and destiny. Any other path is a false path to lead us astray.
Discover the Common Thread of Successful People Around You
- They know why they’re here.
- They’re aware of what drives & gives them stability.
- It’s become an anchor in their life.
Two Great Days in Life—the Day You’re Born / Day You Discover Why
- What are you passionate about?
- What do you really care about?
- What would you live for?
- What would you die for?
The greatest treasures on earth can be found in the numerous cemeteries across the world.
Within these cemeteries lie the buried potential of the multitude who played it safe all their life.
Doesn’t it make sense for you to dare to reach for greatness? Playing it safe robs you of your potential.
But Passion Can Only Get You So Far. It’s Only 80% of Your Purpose.
Answer These Questions:
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- What do I do well?
- What are my strengths?
- What are my gifts?
- What sets me apart from others?
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There is a uniqueness about you: discover what it is, fine-tune it, work hard and grow in it.
That is what sets you apart. It lifts you above the crowd.
“Being average has never caught anybody’s attention and made anybody go the extra mile.”
People don’t pay for average. Being average never catches anybody’s attention; it doesn’t make a difference.
Consider This Because It Will Set You Free
From this moment on, stop working on your weaknesses. Why? Very simple. Don’t get trapped on this one. When you focus on your weaknesses, it makes you weak. Look where your strengths are and focus there. I know this goes against the grain but what you focus on magnifies.
Do You HAVE a Growth Plan?
- It’s not automatic. If you want to grow, you’ll have to be intentional. “The speed of the leader determines the speed of the pack.”
- To stay in front of the crowd, you have to continue to learn, grow and commit.
- Highly successful people have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and are always asking the questions.
Highly successful people know their purpose in life.
They grow to their maximum potential and they sow seeds to benefit others. They’re like a river continually flowing and understand what adds value to others.
When you find your purpose, protect it with your life. Begin seeing the pictures in your mind; when the negatives come to steal your purpose, change those images. Our thoughts are very powerful and they will be fulfilled, either good or bad. Teach yourself to expect great things, begin to see your vision through the eyes of faith. Remember that your life follows your vision.
Big Vision, Big Life. Small Vision, Small Life… Dream BIG.
A Little Exercise on TIME Management I Love:
- Write down the 5 most important tasks you have to do tomorrow.
- Number them in order of importance.
- Begin working on them in that order.
- Do this till the day is over, checking them off.
- Don’t be concerned with those who don’t get done.
- You are working on the important ones. The others can wait.
- Spend the last 5 minutes of each day making your “must do” list for the next day’s tasks.

Stephen R. Covey tells this story:
“I attended a seminar once where the instructor was lecturing on time. At one point, he said, “Okay, it’s time for a quiz.” He reached under the table, pulled out a wide-mouth gallon jar and set it on the table next to some fist-sized rocks on it. “How many of these rocks do you think we can get in the jar?” he asked.
We made our guess, and he said, “Let’s find out.” He set one rock in the jar…then another…then another. He got the jar full then asked, “Is that jar full?” We looked at the rocks and said, “Yes”.
Then he said, “Ahhh.” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in, shook the jar and the gravel went in all the little spaces left by the big rocks. He grinned and said once more, “Is the jar full?”
By this time we were on to him. “Probably not,” we said.
“Good!” he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand, started dumping the sand in. It went in all the little spaces left by the rocks and the gravel. Once more he looked at us and said, “Is the jar full?”
“No!” we all roared.
He said, “Good!” and he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in. He got something like a quart of water in that jar, then said “Well, what do you think the point is?”
“Well, there are gaps, and if you really work at it, you can always fit more into your life,” someone said.
“No,” he said, “that’s not the point. The point is this: if I hadn’t put these big rocks in first, could I ever have gotten any of the other items in?”
THE POINT:
When you work from the big rocks down to the small rocks, it ensures that the key issues are addressed first, leaving little time for the non-productive and time wasters. The important replaces the urgent, aligning your vision and purpose. To manage your life, you have to learn to manage your time.
People follow people who know their purpose, their goals and their vision. Purpose is the cornerstone of all true success…

This is great insight Norma! It is so important to have purpose. I discovered my purpose only 2 short years ago and the one thing that it has given me more than anything is CLARITY! I can now make decisions based on purpose, my goals and everyday actions are based on my purpose, my career is based on my purpose… and quite frankly, I could not be more happy!
Awesome post Norma! It’s so true that when you find your purpose amazing things happen in your life! I’m finding that now as things become more clear to me every day.
Wow Norma, very inspirational. And, so true! I love the Stephen Covey story, it was one of my favorite parts of that book. I completely agree that you must find your purpose, and it must be clearly defined. The road to business and personal success is tough. If you don’t have a clear purpose to pull you through the tough times, there’s no way you can reach your goals.
That is true, Jennifer. If you can’t hold on to your purpose, you will soon give up. Thanks for sharing. x0x
I had forgotten the lesson of the jar & the rocks with Stephen Covey. It’s always revealing – perception is everything in a swallow the frog, kind of way.
Nice piece, Norma!
Don’t you just love Stephen Covey…. amazing man and teacher. Yes, great analogy!
The greatest treasures on earth can be found in the numerous cemeteries across the world. Within these cemeteries lay the buried potential of the multitude who played it safe all their life….May we not be counted among them, Norma! Powerful post!
That gets me a lump in my throat, Carl. It’s sad to think some people could have lived a happier, fuller life. Thanks for sharing.
Great post and an excellent description for those needing clarity! Thanks Norma :) I will share your wisdom!
Thank you for sharing, Anita. x0x
LOVE the sand, rocks illustration and you retold it beautifully!
Thanks Elise. Powerful story…
Love this article, Norma and I yell a big YES to this statement “stop working on your weaknesses. Why? Very simple. When you focus on your weaknesses, it makes you weak. Look where your strengths are and focus there. I know this goes against the grain but what you focus on magnifies.”
I agree with you totally Kim! What you focus on magnifies… so? You know the rest! “grin!”
Hi Norma. This is a wonderful post. My biggest issue is finding what I am the best at. I have been told my whole life I am a different breed, (meant in an endearing way…) but I personally can’t figure out how exactly. I suspect once I figure that out, the rest will fall into place.
Suzanne there are excellent books out there on finding your purpose. I suggest that you get the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Excellent! It will help you get clearer… on what you want and don’t want. Go for it! x0x
Very insightful post! I especially admire that you mention “not focusing own your weaknesses” because reality is, our strengths are so much more valuable.
Kim, focusing on our weaknesses stops us from becoming great… Wow! :)
Wow! Great post Norma! I have found that when I had a better understanding of my “why”-why I was doing the things that I was doing, I was able to live a life full of purpose and meaning. Thanks for sharing such great insight! I LOVE reading your posts!
Thank you and welcome, Jennifer. x0x
hmmmm totally enjoyed the story and message behind it! like planting a seed, lay the big foundation, the rest takes care of itself! thanks for sharing and great job!
Thanks & glad you liked it! Woohoo! Don’t you just love learning… x0x
Another great post Norma. I love the rock analogy. I’m really going to have to start doing this exercise and get the most important things done first. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome Michael! Much blessings sent your way. x0x
Such an inspiring article and great advice! Love Stephen Covey’s story! Thanks Norma!:)
Welcome Denny! Love Stephen Covey… x0x