Several years ago, I spent several days with a wonderful group of creative people in Franklin, Tennessee at place called "The Sanctuary". It is an old barn that has been converted to a combination guesthouse, office, classroom, and fulfillment building. This is my second, but not my last, visit to this amazing place. My wife and I were there for "Innovate 2016" taught by Dan and Joanne Miller, and a host of others. Dan is the author of several books, "48 Days to the Work You Love" being one of the best known, and host of the podcast by the same name. If you can experience an event at "The Sanctuary", I highly recommend it.
Athena is Letting Go
Sitting on a large boulder just outside of the Sanctuary there is a beautiful bronze statue of an eagle just letting go of the branch to take flight. The eagle is named Athena. This visit was not my first-time seeing Athena, it was the first time I had a “conversation” with Athena. Athena is sculpted is to depict that moment of commitment in the process of flight where she must trust her wings and ability to fly. As I looked at the beautiful detail in her eyes, she spoke, not in words but in a clear message. “Ed, are you going to keep sitting on the branch and look at the sky wishing to fly or are you going to soar? You know to soar you must let go of the branch and trust your wings.” It hit me hard; I have been sitting on a branch looking to the sky, not trusting my wings and ability to fly.
60 Years Old and Making a Change
At the time of this writing, I am 60 years old. I have a wonderful marriage, an unbelievable wife, a daughter that is beautiful and brilliant, and a rich work history, but I have not been doing what I am designed to do. There has been something missing in my life and I have known what is missing for years. I have flirted with my purpose. I have made some motions and noise about doing what I need to do, but I have never committed to do it; not start, not try, not plan, but do. As Yoda says, “Do or do not. There is no try.” If you do not believe that statement is true, walk up to a chair and “try” to sit on it. You either sit down or miss the chair. You either did or did not. You cannot just try. I have been using the excuse of trying which means I have been doing nothing.
On the day of my conversation with Athena that changed. I already had the domain and the website up, partially. I have studied, written, rewritten, and changed blogs, pages, and so much more, but I was not doing. Now I am. I am coaching, I am writing and posting, I am speaking. I am being me. I am the sum of my past, living in my present, and decision maker of my future actions. I have let go of the branch and trusted my wings.
In His Image
I am a man of faith. I believe I am created in the image of Adonai. Adonai is not His name but a reference of respect. I do not use His name openly or lightly out my respect for Him. His name translates roughly into English as “I Am” but it means far more. He is the past, present, and future. Whether you are a person of faith or not, stay with me for a moment. The greatest trait of Adonai is that He is a Creator. To be in His image is to be a creator. As humans we are the only species on the face of the planet that creates by changing one thing into something different. Yes, animals build, but we go far beyond building. To create is in our very DNA and design. When we do not create what we are designed to create we are empty and restless, a subject I will expand in a later blog.
No Accident You Are Here
If you are on this page, you have already told me something is missing from your life. I cannot tell you the specifics of what is missing, but I can tell you this the empty place will not be filled with anything outside of you. It will only be filled when you start creating what you are designed to create, when you start living your purpose. It is only filled from the inside out. I do not know if what you are to create is art, music, widgets, nuts and bolts, teach philosophy or the best way to run a forklift, but I do know your purpose is to create. What you create does not have to be a thing; it can be a method, message, or theory, but to create it is your purpose. I can also tell you that until you are creating whatever “it” is, you are going to have that hole in your life.
You Own It
The other thing you need to know is you are the sum of your past, you own your present, and you are the decision maker of your future actions. You must accept these facts in order to find your purpose. Finding your purpose takes action and only you can decide to act. I have never heard of anyone that had life’s purpose just dropped in his or her lap. Every story I have ever heard and every person I have ever met was doing something when he or she discovered life’s purpose.
Stop Talking to the Image in the Mirror
The answer is not in the mirror: it is found when you are active and engaged in the world around you. It is found when your connection to the world improves both. It is time to stop sitting on the branch. You are designed to soar to the top of your purpose which will make the world around you better. Your past has helped shaped the wings that will carry you to fulfill your purpose. The sky is waiting, the horizon is ahead of you, and your future is yours to create. It is time to point your eyes to a future of fulfillment, stretch out your wings of purpose, lean forward, let go of the branch and soar. Are you ready to trust your wings and soar? I am here to walk with you.