Purpose
A Quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson
Listen to the audio version.
Commentary
Too often people spend their time trying to find happiness. Instead, they should be seeking ways to make a difference in the lives of others. Happiness is never permanent. We may experience moments of happiness, but we will not stay in that frame of mind.
Seek instead to be useful — to help others in their time of need. If we focus on helping others and worry less about our own happiness, we will wake up one day and find that we are at peace with ourselves.
Why were you born? What is your purpose for living on this planet? When you reach the end of the road one day and look back across your life, what is the legacy you want to leave behind? I believe we each have a reason for being born and part of our mission in life is to discover our purpose for being.
How would the world be different if you had never lived? Ponder that question. How many lives have you already touched?
A few years ago someone told me that I had inspired him to become a nursing home administrator and care for the elderly. I did not remember the young man, but he had heard me speak and was inspired.
Has someone has been inspired by something you did or communicated? People are always watching. What inspiration will they take from observing you in action?
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Born May 25, 1803 in Newbury, Massachusetts.
Son of Ruth Haskins and the Reverend William Emerson, a Unitarian minister.
The seventh generation descendent of Mayflower passengers on his mother’s side.
Father died 2 weeks before his 8th birthday. Raised by his mother with the help of other family members.
Graduated from Harvard in 1821 at the age of 18. There were 59 people in the class.
Taught at girl’s school after college.
Married Ellen Louisa Tucker in 1829. She died less 2 years later.
Inherited money from the family of first wife after bringing a law suit.
Ordained as a junior pastor at Boston’s Second Church in 1829.
Toured Europe in 1833.
Married Lydia Jackson in 1835. They had 4 children.
Founded the Transcendental Club in 1836.
Began lecturing in 1833 and by 1850 was giving 80 lectures a year. He charged between $10 - $50 per talk. He gave more than1500 lectures in his lifetime.
Wrote essays. Many were based on his lectures.
Published his first collection of essays in 1841 and his second in 1844. Published his 7th collection in 1860.
Died on April 27, 1882 of pneumonia. He was 79.
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Click below to download a PDF of this newsletter that you can send to others and keep in your files.
He understood things in his time we are only now beginning to comprehend.