I was doing some non-marketing reading today (surprising, I know) and I found this tidbit of information to be both fascinating and inspiring.
So I decided to write about it. I hope it resonates with you.
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It’s a Good Day to Die
Did you know that early Native Americans would utter this war cry before heading into battle?
Do you know why they said that?
It’s not because they were trying to pump themselves up or be macho.
It’s not because they were morbid people.
It’s because Native Americans had a firm grasp on the concept of living your purpose, and giving your fullest gift to the world.
Since their purpose was often linked to the survival of their village, the protection of their loved ones, and the preservation of all that was good and beautiful in their world, if they DID happen to die in battle, and they ended up sacrificing their smaller selves for the greater purpose, then yes, it was a good day to die.
Do you see how profound this is?
The truth is, our society, despite all of our technological advancements, has become confused.
With no rites of passage transforming adolescents into adults, and by not teaching young people how to discover their TRUE purpose in life (then living in alignment with and through that purpose), a lot of people spend a good portion of their lives wandering around in a zombie-like haze.
With no direction, no purpose, jumping from job to job, doing what they think mom and dad want them to do, or what society dictates they should be doing.
Adult in the physical form, still children mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.
Thinking only of paying the bills, drinking on the weekend, or how much they hate their jobs.
UNTIL… something jolts them out of their reverie, and they realize that life has been a dream (or a nightmare), a soft cloud that has bounced them around until the jarring reality of their existence shakes them awake, and they finally realize how much time they’ve wasted farting around.
Here’s the point in all this.
Do you know why you do what you do?
If you are an Internet Marketer, do you know the true purpose behind why you are an online entrepreneur?
Or whatever it is that you do.
If someone asked you right now, could you rattle off the reasons why this career choice is better than any other for you? Your true, driving purpose?
I’m not here to answer that question, because obviously, each person’s purpose is different.
But I’ll tell you mine.
1. I do this for myself. To prove to myself that I am capable, intelligent, and that I can step into the fear and uncertainty, and break through to the other side. To realize my potential.
2. I do this to prove myself to my parents, especially my dad. Yes, I’m a grown man, but some things never change. As an Internet Marketer, I still see the doubt and skepticism in my dad’s eyes when I try to explain what it is that I do. He comes from an older generation, and a completely different culture. When I retire my parents, it’ll be a sweet, sweet day.
3. I do this for my future spouse and family. I do the work now, and set up the lifestyle early so that I’ll have the time to do the things that really matter in life (while stopping to smell the roses in the meantime of course). I forgot who said this, but getting rich isn’t the ultimate destination. In fact, it’s when you’ve got the money thing figured out that life truly BEGINS.
Your life’s purpose will change and flow as your priorities change and flow. That’s just natural. But personally, I know very clearly why I work as hard as I do. You just read the 3 reasons.
Remember, this is just a personal opinion. And a lot of people won’t want to read what I’m about to say.
But if you don’t know why you’re doing what you’re doing, you’re not living. You’re just… atrophying.
If there is no reason, except for needing to pay bills, or the rent, or something surfacy like that… good luck to you.
Because everyone has a purpose, a gift to share with the world. You just need to discover what yours is.
I’ll tell you how I figured mine out, in 6 simple steps.
And yes, it will actually take some time out of your day, so don’t freak out.
(I find this exercise most productive when I do it in the early morning)
1. First, turn off the cell phone, the blackberry, the pager, the laptop, or any other distraction.
2. Get in a comfortable position, but don’t lie down. Sit upright in a comfortable chair or on the floor.
3. Close your eyes.
4. Be still, and take deep, slow breaths, until your heart rate slows down, and your mind begins to clear. Yes, this will be hard for a while, because you will be thinking a million different things at first. But eventually, your mind will be quiet.
5. It’s from this place that you begin to ask yourself, “Who am I? What is my purpose? Why am I doing what I’m doing?”
6. Listen. Pay attention to what comes up in your mind.
It’s as simple as that.
It may take 30 minutes a day for a few months, or it may take an entire weekend of pure stillness, isolation, and meditation.
It’s different for everybody.
But remember, the early Native Americans forced all their young men into the wilderness with no food and water, in the harshest of climates, and they weren’t allowed to come back until they discovered their true purpose.
How’s that for extreme?
But in today’s culture, we have NOTHING that forces us to grow up, to show up, to be present and committed. So we just wander.
And it’s downright criminal to rob someone of their time and purpose.
So if this sounds like you, try what I did.
You may be surprised at what you find when you turn within.
Because to me, a life without purpose is a life that isn’t worth living.
BUT… when you DO understand what motivates you, why you do what you do, and what your ultimate purpose is, you can’t HELP but live each day with fearlessness and unfettered boldness.
And you will wake up every morning and say “it’s a good day to die…”
-James D. Lee
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