Many people spend more time learning how to make a living than they do making a life
I picked up Mohammad Ali’s Soul of a Butterfly, Reflections on a Life’s Journey because I wanted to learn more about the person millions, if not billions, of people around the world loved and admired. I wanted to learn what makes someone great.
I devoured it in one day, and now I know. If you want to be GREAT, I encourage you to read this book.
At night when I go to bed, I ask myself, “if I don’t wake up tomorrow, would I be proud of how I lived today?” With that question in mind, I have tried to do as many good deeds as I can, whether standing up for my faith, signing an autograph, or simply shaking someone’s hand. I’m jus trying to make people happy and get to heaven
Mohammad Ali’s recipe for a good life:
Take a few cups of kindness
One dash of humility
One sprinkle of laughter
One teaspoon of patience
One tablespoon of generosity
One pint of forgiveness
One quart of love
And a gallon of faith.
Mix in determination and add lots of courage; stir it up very well, spread it over the span of your lifetime, and serve it to each and every person you meet.
Ali began asking himself this question early on in life:
It is important for each of us to figure out why we were put here on earth by God. The importance of life is to accomplish the task we were given. Without working on this task, life is meaningless. Human beings have a basic need and desire to accomplish something before they die – to make a difference. When working toward this goal, man has hope and energy. Therefore, it is essential each of us learn what were were meant to do as early as possible in order to have a satisfying and productive life.
What’s your purpose? I started asking myself this question about eight years ago. I was working in a corporate job utterly bored, knowing I could do so much more! I felt frustrated because I knew I could give so much more.
The answer came to me, and now I am on that journey. It’s the most fulfilling experience! I know for sure, when I’m doing what I love no one can compete with me.
About life choices:
Many people spend more time learning how to make a living than they do making a life.
We spend more time deciding which phone to buy or swiping through Instagram than we do on figuring out why we are here and what will make us happy for the rest of our life.
We spend more money buying stuff to feel happy today or tomorrow – gadgets, holidays etc – than investing in what will make us feel happy and fulfilled for eternity.
My takeaway from Soul of a Butterfly Reflections of a Life’s Journey on being great is summed up by this quote:
Truly great people in history never wanted to be great for themselves. All they wanted was the chance to do good for others.
Being great is finding your purpose, doing that thing you’re uniquely talented and skilled at, and figure out how you can uplift as many people, doing it.
The more people you help the more lives you serve, the GREATER you become.
