Life Beyond You

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" Martin Luther King, Jr.

When you truly live a life that is for others, you become richer. Your perspective changes. Imagine a life in which you no longer blame others but instead look for ways to empower and lift them up. Imagine being generous and kind, without feeling the need to be repaid for that kindness, or more importantly without feeling bitter or resentful when it isn't appreciated the way you think it should be. I say this as a man who was VERY selfish. I cared A LOT about what other people thought of me, how "perfect" I looked in their eyes. This was my way of being. I would get frustrated EASILY if I began to struggle because this made me feel less perfect, and I worried people would lose respect for me. I was so focused on the end game, which distracted me from enjoying the journey. It was a vicious, vicious cycle. Word hard, see results - still feel unfulfilled.

A life beyond you is an incredible journey with some amazing results that seem to "magically" take a life of their own. However, as with any journey, it is often more manageable to think of it in terms of small, achievable steps. A great first step might be to be generous, without the expectation of reciprocity. When we doing something nice for others, it makes us feel good about who we are and who we are being. The challenge is to go into these situations with no expectations, no perceived "payback" or desire for gratitude, just enjoy the moment.

Try it out: hold open a door for others, see how that makes you feel. Compliment someone: instead of thinking it, tell them. Do something for a stranger, a family member, a colleague or friend, because the payoff is not in reciprocity, but the enjoyment of making an impact on someone else.

Chris