Tag Archive for: meaning

Shared Purpose

Purpose is good.
The pursuit of purpose is better.
๐‘บ๐’‰๐’‚๐’“๐’†๐’… ๐’‘๐’–๐’“๐’‘๐’๐’”๐’† is best.
Meaning, everyone is aligned to the same mission.
They are a part of something.
They belong.
They have a collective responsibility.
They influence.
They radiate positive energy.
They engage.
They boldly go and do.
There is drive.
There is alignment.
And a collective sense of belonging.
Itโ€™s a connective force that pulls a mission together.
It touches us and moves us into action.
It creates a sense of excitement.
Itโ€™s compelling.
It drives collaboration.
Itโ€™s about living it โ€“ together!
It is the glue that strengthens our mission.
It is the common thread woven amongst each of them.
Our ๐ฌ๐ก๐š๐ซ๐ž๐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ž is grand, prodigious, and vast!
Itโ€™s life changing…
โ€œInvite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the endโ€.
This is the ๐ฌ๐ก๐š๐ซ๐ž๐ ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ž of every missionary serving around the world for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We live by it.
We invite all to understand the purpose of life.
Come join with us.

Change Your Life

Earlier this week at FSY, I used one of my favourite icebreaker activities; โ€œA conversation with a time travellerโ€.
It goes something like thisโ€ฆ
In pairs, one participant plays someone from the early 1600โ€™s and gets into character/mindset.
The other participant selects a modern-day object/something from our day and explains it to the individual posing as someone from the 1600โ€™s.
I suggest they try and explain any of the following:
– A carry out pizza
– A Smartphone
– The Cinema
– Disneyland
– Netflix
As participants get into character, the results are always fun and insightful.
Participants switch roles and repeat.
There were lot of smiles, laughter, and bewildered faces on show.
Followed by a realisation that times, things, and people have ๐’„๐’‰๐’‚๐’๐’ˆ๐’†๐’… โ€“ substantially!
There is nothing so unchanging, so inevitable as change itself.
Everything around us seems to be changing at an accelerated pace.
Most changes in the world seem beyond our control.
Yet, you can ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐ ๐ž.

You can change your life…

Each of us have the power to change our lives.
โ€œEvery effort to change we makeโ€”no matter how tiny it seems to usโ€”just might make the biggest difference in our lives.โ€ โ€“ Michael A. Dunn
You can be a little better.
You can stand a little taller.
You can love a little deeper.
You can pick a different path.
You can walk a different walk.
You can find forgiveness.
And joy.
You can become your best you.
Because He gave His life, you can change yours.
I have experienced change first-hand through the actions Iโ€™ve taken.
As I have relied on Jesus Christ, He has helped bring true joy into my life.
He can and will for you too.

Nuts and Bolts

The phrase โ€œnuts and boltsโ€ means all the basic components, the fundamentals, no matter how big or small, that are part of the essentials to complete a task or activity.
In essence โ€“ nuts and bolts hold everything together.
The phrase has been running through my head for a while.
The nuts and bolts of missionary work are the basic components, the fundamentals, the essentials to complete our tasks.
A couple of weeks ago, at Zone Conferences (when upwards of 50 โ€“ 60 missionaries come together once a transfer for instruction) I spoke specifically on four of the fundamental principles of missionary work โ€“ the core nuts and bolts, if you will.
Each missionary was issued with a bolt and 4 nuts, to make the analogy feel real.
The bolt โ€“ represented themselves.
Each nut represented a core principle.

Core Principles

1 โ€“ ๐‘ท๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’„๐’‰ ๐‘ด๐’š ๐‘ฎ๐’๐’”๐’‘๐’†๐’ โ€“ ๐‘บ๐’†๐’„๐’๐’๐’… ๐‘ฌ๐’…๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’. Since its publication, like many of the missionaries I have enjoyed my daily study in Preach My Gospel. President Russell M. Nelson said โ€œโ€œOur charge is much more than just inviting people to join the Church. We want each one to become a fully truly converted disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow Him, now and foreverโ€.
2 โ€“ ๐‘ผ๐’”๐’† ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’”๐’„๐’“๐’Š๐’‘๐’•๐’–๐’“๐’†๐’”, ๐’†๐’”๐’‘๐’†๐’„๐’Š๐’‚๐’๐’๐’š ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’๐’Œ ๐’๐’‡ ๐‘ด๐’๐’“๐’Ž๐’๐’. Marcus B. Nash said โ€œThe mandate for each missionary to search the scriptures is clear and unequivocal, for searching the scriptures brings to them the power of God. It does the same for anyone regardless of their age and experience.โ€
3 โ€“ ๐‘ญ๐’๐’๐’๐’๐’˜ ๐‘ณ๐’Š๐’—๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ท๐’“๐’๐’‘๐’‰๐’†๐’•๐’”. Itโ€™s important that we follow the right voice in a world full of wrong voices. That right voice is Godโ€™s voice, and He speaks to us through His living prophets and apostles.
4 โ€“ ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฎ๐’Š๐’‡๐’• ๐’๐’‡ ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฏ๐’๐’๐’š ๐‘ฎ๐’‰๐’๐’”๐’•. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege – given to people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, been baptized, and been confirmed as members of the Church. He will guide, teach and comfort us.

Actions

After explaining each principle and the ensuing discussion, each missionary tightly fastened their nuts and bolt together.
As the nuts tightened, thread by thread, symbolically each missionary was strengthening and securing themselves to Jesus Christ, as each core principle was riveted into their mind through their actions.
I know that true joy comes through our daily actions of study, pondering, reflection and prayer, as we fasten ourselves, thread by thread to Jesus Christ.
The world is changing whether you like it or not.ย  Are you?
How can you fasten yourself to Jesus Christ?

The Power of Purpose

โ€œIโ€™m exhausted!โ€ – is a phrase I hear regularly.

Do you feel like you are sometimes swimming upstream?

At times, all of us can find ourselves physically and emotionally depleted as we resolutely seek to meet the demands of our daily routines.

Recently, I came across a quote from poet and philosopher David Whyte, which really made me stop and think.

David states that there is a potent remedy to exhaustion – and it isnโ€™t taking a nap.

He statedโ€ฆ โ€œThe antidote to exhaustion is wholeheartednessโ€.

Wholeheartedโ€ฆ

  • completely and sincerely devoted, determined, or enthusiastic, marked by complete earnest commitment: free from all reserve or hesitation.

Years ago, I worked with a consultancy who focused a lot of their thinking on being a whole leader, using our head, our heart, and our gut. I learned that when they are all aligned in complete harmony, we feel more committed and invigorated to do our very best work.

What strikes me about being surrounded by 130 missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is that they really believe in what they do, they truly embody their purpose, โ€œTo invite others to come unto Christโ€.ย  They are purpose led. It unifies them all.

Each of them knows their purpose, are aligned with it, and can articulate it clearly and simply.

The Bigger Picture

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy visited NASA for the first time. During his tour of the facility, he met a janitor who was carrying a broom down the corridor. The President then casually asked the janitor what he did for NASA, and the janitor replied, โ€œIโ€™m helping put a man on the moon.โ€

Think about that for a moment.

To many, the janitor was simply cleaning the building.

But, in the bigger picture, the janitor ensured that the building was clean, so that NASA engineers, scientists and astronauts could focus on their purpose and put a man on the moon.ย  He connected his purpose with theirs.

When we lack purpose, we become drained and disengaged.

Quite the opposite is true when we wholeheartedly engage with the power and sense of a greater purpose.

It stirs us into action to achieve a greater cause, experiencing a revived sense of energy and in turn we discover greater meaning.

By focussing wholeheartedly on their purpose, our missionaries have truly found themselves.

Are you lacking purpose?ย  Then missionaries can help!

๐‹๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฃ๐จ?

Years ago, in one of my many coaching conversations, I worked with a senior leader in an organisation who highly valued his professionalism. (To protect his identity, Iโ€™ll call him Max).
Max had a great track record with the organisation.
In my first meeting with Max, I noticed something.
In fact, I observed a lot.
His whole body told me that he was lost and really didnโ€™t want to be there.
Heโ€™d lost his purpose; his meaning and the organisation had become a frustration for him.
Max had lost his ๐’Ž๐’๐’‹๐’.
Mojo; meaning – influence, confidence or personal charisma.
His spirit had shrunk and was sagging.
His body was downtrodden and browbeaten.
His eyes looked jaded and dulled.
His sparkle had long since disappeared.
He was lost.
I felt sad.

Coaching

As his coach, I worked with Max for several months.
Initially, our coaching conversations were more about others in his team and the organisation.
But then the sessions turned towards Max.
We embarked upon an intensive and deep journey together.
We searched long and hard to find answers.
During those profound listening sessions, Max began to find his purpose and meaning.
In those months, he reconnected with himself.
He slowed down.
With a little help and lots of self-reflection a new door had opened.
His search was over.
He discovered a new purpose, much bigger, yet simpler, that filled his entire being.
Heโ€™d tuned into himself.
He found the courage to step into his unique calling.
He found his mojo.
Now from a distance, I watch Max shine.
How have you reclaimed your mojo in life?

Conversations Matter

Yesterday, for a while Monic and I sat in conversation together.
Conversation: โ€œa talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged.โ€
In our conversations, we notice how we express our ideas and yet regularly we still misunderstand one anotherโ€™s meaning.
Frequently, we repeat ourselves, ask questions, slow down and clarify, ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‡๐’๐’“๐’† we fully understand.
My coaching career has taught me that when we concentrate fully on a conversation, consider the content, and demonstrate an understanding of the message, the person on the other side always feels valued.
Have you experienced that?
Recently in our missionary zone conferences, we learned how to approach dialogue from a point of engagement and connection that leads to more creative problem-solving, perspective and ultimately stronger relationships.
We learned that conversations evoke emotions, they form a bond between you and others, and can make or break any first impression.
After all, conversations are the lifeblood of all relationships – right?

A Conversation

I love this painting โ€œA Conversation with the Masterโ€ by Nathan Florence.
The painting depicts a woman walking alongside Jesus, in a purposeful conversation.
She is doing the lionโ€™s share of the talking, while he is listening thoughtfully.
She is animated about something, whilst his compassion unruffles any undue concern.
Perhaps they have wandered for a while in the beautiful countryside.
His focus is completely on her.
He does not heal her with his touch.
Rather, He is listening deeply and accompanying her on their journey together.
He walked, talked, listened, smiled, encouraged, and made time for her.
Listening, guided by love, is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another.
Perhaps we can all be a bit more like Jesus and listen more deeply to one another.
In your next conversation, take some time to find the most authentic words to explain your thoughts and feelings, slow down and be a little more vulnerable.
I hope that we can all enjoy deep and meaningful conversations with one another.
What did it feel like when you last had a really good conversation?

Words Matter

Do you listen to your heart?

Words matter.

All week long one word has played continually into my thoughts.

Iโ€™ve felt as if it has been etched not only upon, but also into my heart and mind.

No matter where I went, or what I did, it would always return.

Itโ€™s an unusual word.

Indefatigabilityโ€ฆ! (Dutch โ€“ onvermoeibaarheid)

I wasnโ€™t even too certain what it meant, so I looked up the dictionary definition.

โ€œTireless determination, incapable of being tired out; not yielding to fatigue; untiring.โ€

I reflected upon the definition for a while.

I questioned myself and asked “What does this word mean for me?”

After a while, I began to understand.

Day in, day out, week in, week out, I am surrounded by young missionaries who possess the most remarkable indefatigable spirit.

I am with them, constantly.

Being with them one by one, in group training sessions and large conferences, I am reminded of the desire of their hearts to share their witness and testimony of Jesus Christ.

They all take several knocks โ€“ daily.

GRIT

Yet, each of them possesses grit!

True grit!ย  And Iโ€™m not talking about John Wayne!

A toughness, an indefatigable resilient courage, to bounce back, again and again and again.

As defined by Angela Duckworth, grit is โ€œOur passion and perseverance to reach long term goals.โ€

I am so grateful for my association with each and every one of them.

They have been called from many different countries and cultures all across the world to bring a message of hope and peace to a world that is in constant peril and commotion. (2 Timothy 3:3/D&C 45:26)

Through my personal interactions with each of them, I am a witness to the fact, that they possess an indefatigable zeal and testimony of the message they share.

It is a message of great hope, peace and centred in their love of Jesus Christ.

I know that when the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy, regardless of what is happeningโ€”or not happeningโ€”in the world or in our lives.

As President Russell M. Nelson has said โ€œthe joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.โ€

If you want to find real joy, peace, purpose and meaning in life, then I suggest you listen to your heart.

Reach out to one of these indefatigable young men or young women today. They will help refocus your life.

#HearHim

My Favourite Dutch Words

One of the missionaries askedโ€ฆ.โ€œWhat are your favourite Dutch words?”
Here are my top 5 for the moment!
๐‹๐ž๐ค๐ค๐ž๐ซ โ€“ The adjective lekker, denotes several positive attributes including nice, appealing and high-quality. Tasty food is commonly called lekker. However, the word extends well beyond food! For example it is often applied to nice looking people, well-made clothes, nice weather and even a good nightโ€™s sleep.
๐†๐ž๐ณ๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ž๐ข๐ – This is a fascinating word – it is often equated to cosiness but means even more than that. For the Dutch, I think gezelligheid represents a much broader spectrum of fun, joviality or even amicable situations that are all united by a warm sense of personal comfort and togetherness. Its just a lovely word!
-๐ญ๐ฃ๐ž – The Dutch use diminutives much more often than we English speakers do. They make words sound smaller, cuter or friendlier by adding the suffix โ€“tje. For example, a small dog is a hondje, a wee nap is a dutje.
๐ˆ๐ง๐ ๐ž๐ฐ๐ข๐ค๐ค๐ž๐ฅ๐ โ€“ I just love the word for complicated, every time I use it, it just simply sounds much better in Dutch than it does in English!
๐‡๐จ๐ฉ๐ž๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ฌ โ€“ Anyone who knows me well, will know that my favourite Dutch word of all time is this one. It simply means hopeless! And for many years it was a perfect description of my Dutch itself!! ๐Ÿ˜†๐Ÿ˜‚
Do you have any favourite foreign language words?

What path are you following?

Where will you walk today?
We love to walk!
Walking in the Netherlands is a big thing! The annual avond vierdaagse of 5, 10 or 15 km, usually held in May or June around the country are always massive events. I have fond memories of taking part in an event in 1995, when I think virtually the whole community participated!
For many years walking has been prescribed as an exercise that is very beneficial to our health. There is something very stimulating about walking, not only the physical exercise, but it also refreshes our spirits and lightens our mood.
The dictionary says that to walk is to move on foot, step by step. To advance in life we are required to take several kinds of steps.
In the book of Romans 6:4, in the New Testament, Paul speaks of some of those steps when he shared about those who were baptised and then walked forth in a newness of life. And in his epistle to the Ephesians 5:2, Paul invited them to follow Christ by walking in love.
The primary purpose of the gospel is to allow Jesus Christ to guide us in our path and walk through life. At the end of the day, this is the path that leads to the greatest reward of all. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus stated that it is the strait and narrow way that leads to ๐ž๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐ข๐Ÿ๐ž – this is the right path, leading to the greatest reward.
What path are you following?

Do you remember the song ” I walked Today where Jesus Walked”?

I walked today where Jesus walked,
In days of long ago.
I wandered down each path He knew,
With reverent step and slow.
Those little lanes, they have not changed,
A sweet peace fills the air.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.
My pathway led through Bethlehem,
A memory’s ever sweet.
The little hills of Galilee,
That knew His childish feet.
The Mount of Olives, hallowed scenes,
That Jesus knew before
I saw the mighty Jordan row,
As in the days of yore.
I knelt today where Jesus knelt,
Where all alone he prayed.
The Garden of Gethsemane,
My heart felt unafraid.
I picked my heavy burden up,
And with Him at my side,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
Where on the Cross He died!
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.
We may not be able to physically walk where Jesus walked today, but perhaps we can be mindful of Him, walk in his footsteps by following His example in our lives through humility, faith, love and service.
I hope that each of us will choose the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life – missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can help you to find it.
Enjoy your walk today – wherever that may be!

What holds your team together?

Evidence in the garden suggested the storm had been a rough one.

There was damage in the garden, including one of the ceramic pots which had been blown over and was broken into several pieces. My wife and I discussed our options. We determined to visit our local garden centre to purchase a replacement. However, we couldn’t settle on a new pot and instead a little later we decided to repair the broken pot and bought some glue instead. A few days later, the pot, showing its age a little, plus with some wear and tear, was repaired and functional once more, adding to the surroundings of the garden.

In a like manner, it struck me how powerful cohesion is and the importance of glue in many aspects of life, especially through this year. I considered my family, teams I’ve worked in through my career, then subsequently groups and organisations I have worked with in 2020. What is the glue, the cohesion, the bond that unites us, that keeps us sticking together and from falling apart? In life, we can choose – out with the old, in with the new or repair.

Unity, love, purpose, meaning, joy, happiness, a sense of belonging are all indicators of cohesive teams.

In your family, community, teams and organisations what is the glue that holds you together?