Note: We are greatly appreciative to Guest Contributor Terry Chapman for offering this heartening reflection.

"Effort and courage are not enough without purpose." John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Life’s purpose is to live as fully as we are able: to love fully, work fully, and play with joy on our beautiful planet Earth. Love certainly comes first, and then work follows and I mean the particular work that each is given to do by God, whether we know it or not.  For one it may be accounting, for another healing, and yet another painting pastels.  And even the person who organizes her family’s yearly Thanksgiving dinners is sharing her gifts. Simply enjoying an activity that we are good at doing is a start and then using that activity to help others grow and develop can come from humble beginnings.         

Our shared grand adventure on Earth is to move toward the maximal usage of our God given gifts and intentionality is a starting point.  Work of this kind is a true blessing and is love in action.  I am most alive when helping another share their life journey, and I become the one most helped!  

And, truly of great importance, is to play!  To see the gorgeous palette of colors in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.  To search, find and enjoy new activities all our life, as a young boy or girl plays with a new toy fashioned of a pine cone in their back yard, with natural zest, curiosity, and joy.  Developing our bodies, minds, and spirits, to the maximal degree possible in a holistic way—stretching, walking, running, swimming, climbing trees, fishing, reading, reflecting, helping others, and yes, even playing marbles! 

Terry Chapman
Artist Unknown