Your purpose isn't the stone you cast, but the ripples it creates in the lives of others. More precisely, it's not about what you do, but who you are in your fullest expression.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou

We Are Human Beings, Not Human Doings

Imagine how freeing this might be. Our culture tends to assign worth to our productivity: the hours we work, the tasks we accomplish, or the "sweat equity". We are taught that life is hard, and that we have to work hard to earn respect. But what if it wasn't about that at all?

Not only are we inherently worthy simply by existing (as is all life), but our real impact emerges naturally when we fully embrace and express our authentic selves. This means that there is incredible value in simply being the light that you are capable of being. The soul of an artist who delights in creating beauty is no more or less worthy than a laborer whose work is often backbreaking, or a scientist, a doctor, an engineer. The fruits of one's labor may differ in monetary compensation, but our humanity and intrinsic worth are each priceless.

The Art of Being: Impact Through Authenticity

There's a delicate balance between "doing" and "being" that lies at the heart of our purpose. While it's true that our presence affects others, it's important to understand that this impact isn't always the result of conscious effort or "doing." Instead, it often emerges naturally when we fully embrace and express our authentic selves.

Imagine a flower in full bloom. It doesn't strive to be beautiful or to affect its environment. It simply is, in its fullest expression, and by virtue of its authentic being, it brings beauty to the world, provides nectar for bees, and contributes to the ecosystem. Similarly, when we allow ourselves to be who we truly are, in our highest expression, we naturally create positive ripples in the world around us.

This shift from "doing" to "being" is subtle yet transformative. It's not about consciously trying to impact others, but about allowing our genuine selves to shine through. When we're aligned with our true nature, living with authenticity and integrity, our very presence becomes a form of service.

Embracing Our True Nature

This perspective shifts our focus from what we do to who we are at our deepest and most authentic levels. It is my belief that beneath the layers of protection we've built up due to the myriad of wounds and traumas we experience, there is a desire for love and safety for both ourselves and others. A belief in the beauty and worth inherent in our own hearts and in each other. An innate capacity for shared joy, service, and inspiration. Life is ultimately not about the money we make, the tasks we complete, or the hours we log, but about the love we inspire in ourselves and others.

In this context, service isn't about what we do for others, but about how we show up in the world. It's about embodying our values, expressing our unique gifts, and living from a place of authenticity and love. The positive impact on others then becomes a beautiful, organic side effect of our being, rather than the primary goal.

This perspective frees us from the pressure of constantly trying to "make a difference." Instead, it invites us to focus on self-realization and authentic expression. As we do so, we naturally inspire, uplift, and positively influence those around us, often in ways we may not even be aware of.

A Personal Journey

Despite all of my own personal growth and healing, it wasn't until earlier this year that I was able to move beyond knowing this intellectually, and actually embody the belief that I was worthy -- even when I wasn't "working" by any traditional definition. I've been on sabbatical since facilitating my last retreat in December 2023. A couple of months in, I found myself feeling guilty for taking this time to actually enjoy my retirement (I retired in 2022 after 25 years in the Air Force, and immediately earned my coaching certification, started a business, founded a nonprofit, and began facilitating retreats... I joke that I "failed retirement"!). A beautiful and vulnerable conversation with a dear friend finally crystallized the knowledge that my life could be a life of Service, an ethos dear to me, simply by being who I am. Service doesn't need to be defined or bounded by traditional concepts of paid work or charitable volunteer hours. By simply sharing conversations, opening my heart to friends, practicing the art of deep listening, and offering unconditional loving regard my life can be a life of service rooted in joy, in peace, in simply being me. I can live my purpose in any/every moment.

My journey reflects a universal truth: our purpose is not defined by what we do, but by how authentically we embody our purest, truest expression.

Conclusion: The Invisible Impact

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." — Pablo Picasso

By simply being our truest selves, we give others permission to do the same. This ripple effect of authenticity can be far more powerful and far-reaching than any deliberate attempt to impact others.

So next time you're questioning your worth or purpose, remember: your true impact often lies in the invisible ways you touch the lives of others, not through grand gestures or measurable outcomes, but through the authentic expression of who you are.

In essence, our highest service to the world is to be fully, unapologetically ourselves. The impact we have on others is not the goal, but a natural, beautiful consequence of living in alignment with our true nature. This is the art of being – where impact flows effortlessly from authenticity.