“We all need to know that we’re not just taking up space on the planet.”

A thought by Mike Bechtle from his book, Dealing with the Elephant in the Room: Moving from Tough Conversations to Healthy Communication (p. 51). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

That is so true and on this Thanksgiving Day, we can be thankful that God has created each one of us with a purpose, a reason to be here. 

Mike says, “We’re hardwired that way. We want to make a difference. We were created with a blend of temperament, passion, and interest that makes us unique. Nobody else is just like us, and nobody can contribute what we have to offer.

“Too often, we compare ourselves to others. We see the contributions they’re making, and ours feel insignificant by contrast. So we either give up trying (because we believe we don’t have anything of value to give), or we try to copy others. We figure that if we do what they do, we’ll at least be able to make some of the impact they make.”

He goes on, “The problem is that when we try to imitate others, we rob the world of the unique contribution we were designed to make. Our uniqueness is the greatest tool we have to make a difference in society and in the lives of others.

“That’s especially true in relationships. If two people feel they have nothing to offer, they get caught in a meaningless cycle of activity. They’re busy with many activities but nothing that leads them forward. Sometimes people are even attracted to each other through their lack of purpose, agreeing to a relationship in which they settle for each other. They start by working on projects side by side but end up on the couch fighting over the remote.

“Two half people don’t make one whole couple. Relationships can’t be healthy if the people in those relationships are unhealthy.”

We were built with a need for purpose.  Let’s do all we can to find it and to live it.  That will make a major difference in having healthy relationships and a meaningful life.  And you can start now looking for it and developing it, no matter your age. Would you strive today if you haven’t already, to become a whole person?  Will you?

Yes, yes!