Purpose: Define your life

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         Do you know what your purpose in life is?

         Speaking out for those who have no voice?

         Bringing justice to those who have been falsely accused?

         At this point in life, you might not know what you will do – I know I don’t.

               But I do know people in this world inspire me by defining their lives through their purpose.

                TIME Magazine recently released its 100 Most Influential People in the World list. Each person on the list has found his or her purpose. They have chosen to dedicate their lives to promoting some kind of goodness.

Honor: Recognize the unnoticed deeds

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                When you hear the name Derek Jeter, what comes to mind?

                The poster child for baseball?

   The New York Yankees captain?

                My future husband?

                While not all of these thoughts or images might have popped into your head, did you ever consider him as the founder of the Turn 2 Foundation?

Awe: Take some time to slow down

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             Did you watch the sun rise this morning?

             How about inhale a deep breath of fresh air?

             When did you last see a child’s eyes light up in awe?

             Has it been a while since you slowed down and noticed the little things?

             It has for me. I am probably the guiltiest of all when it comes to rushing through life. I juggle way too many things at once, always saying yes and never relaxing.

             I do not know if I am like this because I like being in control of everything that affects me or because I do not want to waste one moment of my life.

Loyalty 2: A dog's best friend

                Last week, I wrote about loyalty and used, “Dogs sleeping at the foot of their masters’ beds” to exemplify this quality.

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                But what about a dog staying by the side of another dog that lay injured in the middle of a California highway?

                Watching the morning news on CBS today, Charlie Rose reported on a viral video taken by a man who found a stray black Labrador that would not leave the side of a yellow Labrador that had been hit by a car.

                Although the yellow Lab unfortunately died, the black Lab, eventually named Grace because of her actions, would not budge even as cars whizzed by and passersby stopped to help the poor dog.

Loyalty: Define your actions

                Actions define loyalty.

                Children running into the open arms of their parents.

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                Dogs sleeping at the foot of their masters’ beds.

                Young wives waiting at airport terminals for their husbands to return home.

                Each act shows a specific trait: trust, friendship or love.

   Loyalty is a sense of trust.

   Every vacation, I drive six hours across 314 miles of New York State to see my family. The process of going home never changes.