Is your purpose a big purpose or a little purpose? Ridiculous question. Right? Yet, when we pay attention to those everyday conversations that surround us, we constantly receive messages that the value of one’s purpose is determined by its grandiosity.

Last week, when I read that the famous actor Robert Guillaume had died, I paused and offered a silent prayer of gratitude for his life and his work. A week or so ago, while visiting my nephew in the hospital, I noticed a maintenance worker who was pulling trash. And I paused and offered a silent prayer of gratitude for his life and his work.

We are all here on the planet for a variety of reasons and we have been called to share of ourselves in countless ways. And however we show up with our offerings, we add value, whether we are serving one million or one.

I often think of the caregiver who, perhaps, has devoted his or her entire life to caring for a special needs child or a disabled loved one who needs around the clock attention. The magnitude of love being exchanged within this circle of two is no less profound and important than the abundant gifts offered by the likes of someone like Oprah. Yet we laud the one and give the other a cute little pat on the head.

I was recently reading the bio of another coach and I noticed the same words that I often see in such bios “widely sought after”, “coach to top level executives” and of course there was a notation about working with top corporations. Which is all wonderful.

The challenge is this, I know that this leaning that’s adopted by many, leads others to subscribe to the belief that one’s gifts are not valuable unless they are sitting on a perch at the top of a hill on a super wide platform, serving thousands… or at the very least, the elite.

In an age where we’re measured by the number of friends and followers we have on social media, it’s easy to get sucked into this notion that with regard to our purpose, we must “Go big or go home”.

Your big dream need not involve the masses.

And your work does not have to be witnessed by hordes.

Whatever you do and wherever you land, I only ask that you use your gifts in a way that leaves you feeling fully expressed and that you serve with love. Don’t allow anyone else to determine the value of your offering to this world.

The quiet storm who sits among few is equal in value to the most widely heralded figure in the world.

Wherever you serve and however you serve, serve well.

And if no one has offered this to you in recent memory, please know that I am pausing now to offer gratitude for your life and your work.

Quote of the Week: “If you’re alive, there’s a purpose for your life.” — Rick Warren

Monica Moody

Monica Moody