Kevin W. McCarthy

Do You Know Your Gift?

Your contribution to the life of another is directly tied to the gift you possess.  How well you examine and understand your gift directly influences the measure of your difference making.

Within you is something inherently special.  It is a gift that must be unwrapped, examined, and understood to be fully appreciated and enjoyed.  This gift is an expression of your purpose.

You can give this gift by sharing The On-Purpose Person with a
family member or friend.  Place your order today.  Do you want the book(s) to be personalized and signed?  Use the comment section on the order page to give us instructions.  If you want to include a gift card with your name, please let us know and we'll even do that for you.

How Do I Find Peace In My Life?

 

Finding peace in your life is really a matter of finding peace in your spirit.  When your spirit is calm, then peace of mind follows and the swirl of chaos and confusion is an annoyance, but unable to cut to the core of our being.

Peace is not like an elusive rainbow that can be seen but never visited.  Peace can take residence in your heart when the space is there for it.  Most of us have such cluttered spirits and have gotten ourselves so busy that we don't have the margin to explore the possibilities within us, nor do we have the process to help us get there.

Peace and security are often joined at the hip as being mutually dependent.  We may have a sense of security, but we aren't really secure.  The world is a broken and fallen place so security is an illusion.  

Security is simply protection from outside forces.  Peace is the need for no protection.  Yes, you can have a bit of heaven on earth.  Peace can be owned.  You've experienced it, haven't you?  Now you know when you have it and when you don't.

The On-Purpose Leader Experience is designed to help you find that peace that passes your understanding and then to live into it.  Is it the easiest thing you'll ever do?  Hardly!  I'll challenge you (in a good way) to dig deeper, experience more, and rise to the surface of your life a renewed and refreshed person.

 

 

 

 

 

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What Is The Meaning of Life?

  

"What is the meaning of life?"  Now there's a tiny topic hardly worth pondering!  The graphic and T-shirt design below by artist Aled Lewis (used with his permission) may provide as good a sense of "clarity" on the topic as one can find.

Kidding aside, the value of asking, "What is the meaning of life?" may be less in the answer to one of life's big questions, but more in the very act of the inquiry.  Asking this question is a positive sign that changes in life, ideally growth and maturity, are budding.  There's an awareness that can lead to a new life with the potential to lead to a life of purpose and meaning. Engagement in a greater reality has begun.

Change is a part of life, but a change for life needs to be self-initiated -- owned, if you will.  Those around may demand or encourage us by saying "Change your life," but at the end of the day it is our responsibility and challenge.

How you go about embracing growth is up to you.  For me, my big shift change happened when I attended a Bible study of the book of Romans back in the spring of 1985.  Like many, I had been searching for meaning in life.  As a true student of self-help literature, I was well read in the classic and contemporary self-help writers.  At some point, however, it all started to sound like the same stuff simply rehashed from a different point of view.

I was not a Christian, but I was curious and willing to give that "old and irrelevant book" and the institution of the Church a chance.  The Bible, I discovered, had a ring of authenticity about it that none of my self-help books had.  There were no lightning strikes or trumpets sounding.  It was mostly an intellectual pursuit to better understand, "Who am I?  Why am I here?  What should I do with my life?  Is life meaningful?"  The Bible was different because here was core wisdom instead of just knowledge.

What is the meaning of life?  It doesn't matter what I say.  You have to find your answer for yourself.  What I will tell you, however, is this: life is meaningful!  Start with this basic assumption and go forward.

More On-Purpose Minutes 

• What does it mean to be on-purpose? by Kevin W. McCarthy
• Do You Really Know Who You Are? by Kevin W. McCarthy
• Are You Happily Distracted? (kevinwmccarthy.com)
• Do You Want More Balance In Your Life? (kevinwmccarthy.com)

Are You Still Living in Trial and Error Mode?

This On-Purpose^® Minute may rattle your cage a bit as I challenge what might be a hidden and unproductive point of view coloring your daily experience.  Trials and errors in life are inevitable, but "trial and error" does not need to define our approach to life.

Please watch and add your comments.

Click here to receive an email when I post new On-Purpose Minutes.

A "Balanced" Life by Kevin W. McCarthy

A "Balanced" Life

A balanced life is what I sought,

Only to have a life that was not.

My battle for balance was constantly fought,

Yet, time and again I found myself caught.

 

I planned, I managed, I strove to obtain.

With burnout, frustration, and a worn out brain.

Time I did “manage” with feelings distraught,

Where the harder I tried, the less I got.

 

A balanced life captured my thought.

Advice and coaching I often sought.

So coaches and counselors I did retain

To inspire, encourage, and help me retrain.

 

I listened and learned and did as I ought,

Yet my sense of my self continued to rot.

Day after day I did not obtain,

A life in balance – I could not sustain.

 

Daily my Father saw my deep pain,

Finally, he asked of my earnest campaign.

I told of the experts and advice I had bought.

He listened long. Then, I asked what he thought.

 

“A balanced life you will not obtain.

It’s an illusion sure to drive you insane.”

About the balanced life I so anxiously sought.

In essence he said, “All is for naught.”

 

Could my experts’ advice be words all in vain!

Dad’s contrary words were too simple and plain.

Defensive and righteous, I took a pot shot,

“If not balance, what else have you got?”

He answered, “A balanced life is what you’ve sought.

Instead, try this one simple thought:

Live your life integrated.  It will go as it ought.”

A different perspective my Father had brought.

 

Intrigued and delighted his words fell as rain,

To my parched soul truly going insane.

How do I integrate?  How do I maintain?

Were questions resounding deep in my brain.

 

“In the beginning, when you were begotten

A purpose was given, you’ve long since forgotten.

Search your heart and all its terrain.

Your purpose lies dormant, yet steadfast and fain.

 

“Ignoring your purpose causes work with strain.

Why worry about balance if it isn’t germane!

Align to your purpose, live as you ought.

Listen, my love, to the words that I’ve taught.”

 

His words were startling, and hard to contain

For Balance, my idol, he had just slain. 

No more was my stomach tied tight in a knot.

For a balanced life I no longer sought.

 

In the heart of my heart I had learned a lot

Of ordering life on Dad’s integrating thought.

Gone were failings and feelings distraught

Where the harder I tried, the less I got.

 

I’m sparked by my purpose so simple and plain.

Integration, not balance, now keeps me so sane.

The gift of hope in my heart does remain.

For being on-purpose I can surely sustain.

 

© 2011, Kevin W. McCarthy

What Is A Vision?

Vision is a gift to look into the future with a creative clarity and belief that what isn't will one day become.  Vision comes in many forms and manners.  Vision is larger, much larger, than a goal.  Vision is what prevents the people from perishing according to The Book of Proverbs.  Vision is personal, yet it can be shared and engage a group to greater heights.

Vision can be cooped up inside us longing to escape if we will just dare to express it to the world.  Years ago one of our certified On-Purpose® Pros was coaching a woman who shared a vision for an inner city orchestra.  At the time the client was working two jobs as a single mom caring for two children.  Dreaming was a luxury she believed was ill-afforded to her.  With some gentle prodding, the client risked putting words to paper.  Selectively, she began to share her vision.

Remarkable events unfolded within three weeks.  At church one Sunday, a local high school principal approached her with this statement: "I heard you are gifted with teaching music." 

"Yes," was the simple response.

The principal continued, "Over the summer, my high school received funding for an entire orchestra.  I have stands, instruments, sheet music, and an acoustically designed studio.  But guess what I don't have?  Someone to develop and lead the students.  You wouldn't happen to be interested in the position would you?"

There's no need to share the rest of the story because you know how this ends.  So what about your vision?  Are you prepared to allow the world to conspire for your benefit?  Tell us your vision by writing it in the comments section.  Who knows what might happen.

More On-Purpose Minutes by Kevin W. McCarthy

What is Your Cost of Poor Communication?

Are You Still Living In Trial and Error Mode?

Are You A Driven Person?

Have you ever really stopped to consider what it means to be driven?  For many it is easy to get on a track at work and in life, lean into the yoke, and just keep pushing forward day after day trusting that in the end it all works out for the best.  Is this a healthy way to live?

Here's a great article on the difference between a job, career, and vocation from Fast Company magazine founder, Alan M. Webber.  I remember reading this article years ago and nodding my head in agreement.  Watch today's On-Purpose Minute.  You may find it alarmingly disturbing to your well-ordered life.  Perhaps you'll find it amazingly comforting as you pursue a calling that seemingly defies logic and reason to everyone except you. 

Please let me hear from you.  Are you driven or called?  Tell me your story in the comments section below and you'll be helping put voice to your own thoughts.  More importantly, others will read your post and glean insights and better self awareness.  You can make a difference this way that can alter the course of another person for good.

Be On-Purpose (called, not driven)!

Kevin

 

 

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Recovering the Diamonds, a short film by Nic Askew

Nic Askew of Soul Biographies produces gently disturbing films on-purpose.  Having been in a maximum security prison for three days (not nights) as part of a Kairos Prison Ministry, I related to Juan's initial reaction to the prisoners.  Recovering the Diamonds provokes a natural prejudice for self-defense within an extreme and dangerous environment of criminals.  Yet Juan offers hope and insight juxtaposed with Nic's compelling questions.

Invest 8 minutes to view Nic's film.  What if you are committing an imprisoning crime upon persons who don't fit your concept of a person worth knowing?

RECOVERING THE DIAMONDS from Nic Askew on Vimeo.

 

 

Are You A Leader?

One of the most tragic aspects of my mentoring work is to see people's   leadership blinders.  There are many ways of "acquiring" these blinders that hide our leadership potential.  I've been gifted with eyes to see into the hearts of people and to have an inherent sense of their leadership potential.  Frankly, this gift has a heartbreaking downside as I see people who cower from knowing who they really are and settle for less in this one lifetime. 

I understand that it takes courage to find one's voice in the world.  May I help you?

Was it a mentor or parent who failed to recognize your potential and polish the genius of your spirit?  Perhaps it was abuse at the hands of a tyrant who pushed you down in order to build up himself or herself?  Or, is it simply the fear of being known and choosing to play life too safely?  The reasons are many, yet the results are the same - being off-purpose and suffering the costs of being less than who we were intended to be and become.

Are you ready to reject mediocrity and begin majoring in your life?  May I be your mentor for the next six weeks through The On-Purpose Leader Experience?  Join other on-purpose persons as we go deep into the heart of being a leader to the spirit of who you are.  This breakthrough Experience is hard to grasp on the front end, yet, I promise, you will not regret participating. 

Each week we delve into the On-Purpose Process in a fun, yet meaningful and respectful manner to help you get to the essence of who you are and how you can become a more confident, strong, and faithful leader of your life.

Click here for more information about The On-Purpose Leader Experience beginning April 20.

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Do You Have A Compelling Why?

The concept of a "compelling why" is one often batted about by motivational speakers, sales trainers, and leaders.  But just what is a compelling why?   

An example of a compelling why is a single mom who works two jobs to provide a college education for her children, or the mothers who started MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to educate and advocate against drunk driving and drivers.

My experience is that most of us confuse a compelling why with a cause - an important mission that captures our heart and spurs us on with untold energy, vigor, and determination.  But a compelling why is not the same as your "why" - a simple reason for being.  

Getting on the band wagon for a good cause is worthy but what if there's more to life than a compelling why?  In today's On-Purpose Minute, I invite you to consider the importance of simply knowing your why.

 

Watch another On-Purpose Minute?

• Do You Want A Balanced Life? (kevinwmccarthy.com)