I mentioned in an earlier post (#973-Quit playing hard to get) that I had been hit on by Nelson Mandela’s book, “A Long Walk to Freedom“ the last few times I have gone into Indigo. Well it happened again last week when I popped into a used book store to see what they had to offer.
However, this time it had somehow managed to follow me to the cookbook section of the store. When I glanced up, I caught a glimpse of it trying to camouflage itself in the dessert section. This was clearly a sign that I was now being boldly stalked by this book . Unable and unwilling to fend off its advances any longer, I gave in and bought the dang thing.
Fast forward a few days where I have just finished reading the first 100 pages. I am hooked. Mandela doesn’t babble on about useless childhood trivia like bad haircuts or the trauma of being breast fed until the age of 15 (that’s too much info people). Rather each story he shares plays an integral part in advancing the story of who he has become.
As I delve further into the book, I have also stumbled upon a subplot that has begun to take shape for me: how he discovered his destiny. It’s interesting to note that he initially made the same mistake most of us make. He mistook his career for his destiny. These are not the same; something most of us are only now painfully aware of.
As I reflect on what I have read, it is quite obvious that there are lessons to be learned from Mandela’s story that, if applied to our own life, could help us chip away at the inner destiny that lurks within us all.
So what can Mandela teach us?
How to discover (uncover) your destiny…
- Travel. But I’m not talking about going to some resort for an all inclusive 7 day bender where you drink like a camel and gorge like a racoon in your garbage can. I’m talking about going some place where you actually interact with the culture and experience how the less fortunate live. Until you have witnessed human suffering first hand, you can never really understand what it means or how it will impact you.
- Read. Immerse yourself in books about people who are making a difference. Reading the stories of others helps you begin to unearth your own destiny. Here are a few books to get you started.
- Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
- Mountains Beyond Mountains
- Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey to Educate the World’s Children
- Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World (a big shout out to Elena who reintroduced me to this inspiring book)
- Volunteer. Make it a point to volunteer at a few different places to get a diverse experience of the issues that are out there. Spend some time at an animal shelter. Drop by a homeless shelter. Volunteer at a shelter for abused women or children. Visit an old age facility. Spend time at a children’s cancer ward.
- Interview those living their destiny. Interviews are not the sole domain of reporters or television personalities. Anyone can do an interview. Seek out those who are doing amazing things and ask to take them out for coffee and find out more about what they do and how they got started. Their story will help uncover markers specific to your own journey.
- Start telling your story. Let people know you are looking to do something grand. You never know who others may be able to put you in touch with.
- Take action. People whine and complain that they don’t know what they want to do. The mistake is thinking a destiny is forged through sustained thought. IT IS NOT! It is discovered by getting involved in life; by participating in events outside your daily routine. Mandela made a decision early on to become a lawyer. However, as events worsened in South Africa, he began to take part in protests aimed at helping liberate his people. It was through these actions that he began to discover his destiny.
- Observe. There are signs everywhere pointing you in the direction you want to travel. You just have to open your eyes to see them.
- Expand your friendships. Seek out interesting people by attending events you have never before attended. Check out www.meetup.com to find something in your area. There are events for everything, whether it be for dogs who wear Nike clothing only or old geezers looking to become a member of the mile high club. Find an event that fits you. You just never know where things may lead.
- Ask questions. Just be a slightly less annoying and pompous version of Alex Trebek. But questions have a way of attracting answers that might never appear otherwise. What destiny related questions could you begin to ask? Be creative with this. Don’t simply ask, “What is my destiny?” Dig deeper.
- Listen. Asking questions and listening go hand in hand. Take the time to listen to the conversations that are being had around and soon you will begin to hear answers to the questions you have asked.
With Christmas fast approaching (Yikes!) I know how busy you are so I appreciate you taking the time to be here. It matters to me, so thanks.
Take part in the conversation…
What are your thoughts on this? Are you living your destiny? Got a great story to share? Head on over to the comments section (scroll down to the bottom) and enlighten us.
Oh and remember, quit ignoring your destiny. It only takes one chance encounter to forge it.
To ideas worth quitting,
Dean
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