When we focus our thoughts, and channel our energy, great things are possible. If we move forward with purpose, because that is how we’ve chosen to live our lives, then regardless of outcomes, we are living with purpose.

“There’s something wrong with your character if “opportunity” controls your loyalty…” Sean Simmons

When we give, to get a reward, when we love to be loved, when we are kind to gain adoration, or whenever we engage in an action with expectations, then we are living to ‘get’.  This is ego driven.  We are often disappointed.  We may begin to believe that life does not treat us fairly.  We create real or imagined stories about what others ‘should’ do.  How do we know what others ‘should’ do?  Our “should” is an expectation we’ve placed on someone because we did something to ‘get’.

“People of character do the right thing even if no one else does, not because they think it will change the world but because they refuse to be changed by the world”. Michael Josephson

A hungry man caught a big fish.  He offered to share his fish with another group who was also hungry.  For awhile there was no fish.  One day the hungry group caught a small fish.  They did not offer to share with the man who had fed them.  A few days later the man caught another big fish.  For a moment he thought “should I share with this group who has not shared with me?”.  He decided to share with the other group even though he knew they would not share with him.  He wanted nothing from the group; not love, respect or a future expectation they would share.

Some may think this man is stupid.  Why share with someone when you know they will not share back?  This man shared because he wanted to.  He did not need any other reason.

What makes you happy?  What are you going to do just because?  Will you live your life like the hungry group afraid to share because you believe there is not enough?  Or will you live as the man who shared because that is what made him happy?

“You express the truth of your character with the choice of your action” Steve Maraboli.