“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” That is one of my favorite quotes from Howard Thurman.
When you are alive you are full of energy, vitality, alertness, activity, awareness, life and spirit. This is the feeling that spurs you on to engaging more fully in whatever you are doing. This kind of aliveness and energy is what motivates others to join forces in creating momentum or change. New ideas often bring zeal to conversations and calls to action. Recently, I was asked to be a guest on a Christian Television Network show called Bridges with host Monica Schmelter. She heard me speak earlier in the year at a Christian-based networking luncheon on how God has impacted my professional life and business. I was touched that the message I had delivered made enough of an impression on her to ask me on her show.
“The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.” – Henry David Thoreau
What I enjoyed about the process of being a guest on her show was the preparation in asking some preliminary questions that would help her know me and my story a little bit better. The two questions that really stood out were in regard to what I felt my ministry was (a look at what God has called you to do) and “felt needs” (what needs your ministry meets and how you connect with people from the local area).
It’s sometimes difficult looking at what we do as a ministry. Many usually only associate that with church and pastors. As I gave real consideration to the questions, I could see we all have a ministry we are tending to. I looked up the definition of “ministry” and could see that providing service or being of service with a divine purpose is a close fit without being directly related to a church organization.
As I share my personal response with you, describing what I have feel my ministry is, I encourage you to determine what your own ministry is. You may have, or have had, multiple ministries in your lifetime. Most often, these are what make you “come alive,” as the quote so eloquently states.
I often dig deep for this answer to continue to fill and inspire me, and to keep me on the right path. I believe overall that God has called me to be an expression of radiant light and love through nurturing others. This is significantly demonstrated through my work, church, community involvement, friendships and pretty much every area of my life! As a nurturer, I would say that the art of listening to others without judgment and providing comfort, understanding and compassion are key qualities. These qualities have had a direct impact on others by providing a form of care in my business—The Nurture Nook Day Spa—and through speaking engagements where ideas are presented, exchanged and practiced, and individuals can walk away with tools that aid in looking inside for answers they seek to life’s challenges.
“Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. So aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.” – Henry David Thoreau
The other question was about the needs my ministry meets. Daily I see firsthand how humanity needs to breathe more. People crave more space in their lives for simply being. People hold a lot inside. So much information comes in moment by moment that you have to allow “exformation” (letting it out, letting it go) to occur in order not to let things get bottled up. It is also important to feed the soul. This can be done with planned or even spontaneous “time-outs” that refill your energy and emotional tank. My ministry (the spa) provides such time-outs for guests to feed the soul through our services and events. We also provide tools for use in daily life (for example: breathing techniques, mental practices of awareness, body movement, stretching). We are active in our community and assist with many charitable events, causes, organizations and fundraisers. Our social media includes Mindful Moments that can be used and practiced to live a more balanced and grace-filled life.
I wanted to share my answers with you to give you some ideas on how to determine your own personal ministry and how it is shared with others. If you can’t wait to get up in the morning and live this, then keep pursuing what you love until you do because what the world needs is for you to live your passion.
“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have.” – Howard Thurman
