I am sure it is no surprise to you that love, purpose, connection, and authenticity are some of our deepest and fundamental needs. It is no surprise. Because you have probably felt your own need for them. Each one of us wants to know our why, our meaning for who we are and who we are made to be.

When we know our “why”, our purpose, we have a clearer picture of the “what” that will help us live our why.

The clarity gives us confidence.

A big part of knowing our purpose is then putting it into action to help others. It is all part of the unique aspect of our purpose. If we are not connecting with and helping others feel the same love, purpose, connection, and authenticity, we will feel like we are missing something.

It doesn’t matter if you are a young adult in university, a CEO of a fortune 500 company, or a inmate, everyone needs the same basic needs. Part of our why is how we can meet one of those needs in others.

Sometimes this is a smile for a stranger, or sitting and listening to someone who has just received bad news. It may be an action like volunteering at a hospital, food bank, or soup kitchen. Maybe it is helping a single Mom or elderly person move and helping them get settled. There are all kinds of ways that we can move closer, show up and say “YES!”, and be the connection they needed.

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Years ago, I was working in a specialty cafe and had a very grumpy lady come to the counter. After she left I mentioned to my co-worker beside me, “wow, she is having a bad day!”. I will never forget what she said back to me, and it has changed how I see people, and how I respond. She said “You never know where they have just come from …”. She could have just received a devastating medical prognosis, or received some hurtful relationship news. Maybe she was just at a funeral, or just been the victim of emotional abuse. There is often a thing beneath the thing. It is often tied to one of those fundamental needs and they just want that same love, purpose, connection, and authenticity.

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Why are you doing what you are doing? What is your purpose, your own unique life purpose?

We can each be a part of showing others that, yes, they can experience love, they can identify and discover their purpose, and they can feel a connection.

Be a part of a movement that closes the gap between these fundamental needs and living out your purpose.

If there is no movement you can see to get involved in … be a movement. Live your life forward … be the connection someone needs today.

Do the next thing, be the connection, be the movement.