MY MISSION IS ONE WORD: GIVE

After climbing corporate ladders and living in the executive world, my love of writing brings me to the next phase, a career as an author. 

But what does that mean? 

Well, writing is a joyous adventure (for me). But still, I must ask myself: Shouldn't joy exist beyond me? And what about when joy wanes?  

For me the key is this: To Give. 

The equation is simple:

When I give - I am content, even joyful. 

When I'm joyful - I can do things: Like write.

Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk said: Kindness is the Strength. If you're strong, you give. This isn't to say wanting, needing or receiving things is bad - most of us receive things every day - shelter, meals, even a kind message. 

But sometimes I wonder: 

Is our 'get' getting in the way of our 'give'?

In the most read book of all time*, the word 'give' is stated at least 900 times. Triple that of the word 'love', and yet 'love' is the ultimate target.

Why mention GIVE so many times? 

I suspect the word love, to use today's expression 'can be complicated'. Love everyone, even the cranky ones is a tall order. Whereas 'give' gives us an opening to do something beyond ourselves.

We may not be fully onboard to love the neighborhood bully, but I would submit we can give the hurting individual something: 

a smile, a kind word - and it doesn't cost us anything. 

I kind of like this one-word mission. 

Giving does not require a big plan, but it does require a shift away from self.

I think I will try it. Who knows, it could be a grand adventure!

-Beth Williams

*The Bible