“Each of us can live a life of significance.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2015-10-06) from his book, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters (p. 3). Center Street. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

This may not be a thought that grabs you. But if you really stopped to think about it there is something deep inside that seems to pull at you. That comes from God. He put that inside of you. You may not know how to explain it but it is there.

Now John says, “Don’t let the word significance intimidate you. Don’t let it stop you from pursuing a life that matters.”

He goes on, “When I talk about significance, I’m not talking about being famous. I’m not talking about getting rich. I’m not talking about being a huge celebrity or winning a Nobel Prize or becoming the president of the United States. There’s nothing wrong with any of those things, but you don’t have to accomplish any of them to be significant. To be significant, all you have to do is make a difference with others wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day.” And you and I can do that.

John says, “Back in 1976, I received a gift from Eileen Beavers, who was my assistant at that time. As I unwrapped it, I saw it was a book, and I was intrigued by the title: The Greatest Story Ever Told. I couldn’t wait to read it. But when I opened it, I was shocked. The pages were blank. Inside was a note from Eileen that said, ‘John, your life is before you. Fill these pages with kind acts, good thoughts, and matters of your heart. Write a great story with your life.’”

We can do that as John says, by “living each day with intentionality… When you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you begin to live a life that matters.”

There it is. I needed that today. It is so easy for me to live my day fulfilling the tasks of my day and not see those around me. Completing tasks do matter but people are what really matters.

So what are your intentions for today?

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