Good morning, Team! It’s Friday!

What are we meant for?

I had occasion to go back through Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s search for meaning” again last week. A gift from my daughter and a must read for all, he breaks this question down to three things (I have simplified … because it’s a blog) that bring meaning:

1. Work
2. Love
3. Transforming tragedy to triumph

If you go into any of these areas without courage, it ends badly. If you choose to be less than authentic, it still doesn’t end well.

Bringing warrior courage to work seems logical but be careful not to confuse behavior with intent. In this day and age, being courageous may be as simple as getting out of bed and doing your job when you are sore, mentally fatigued or displeased with your manager. It does not mean you plow through the day cussing everyone you don’t like or dismissing someone because they don’t share your passion for life. A warrior mindset is to win-be nimble, agile, fluid then decisive and resolute.

Bringing warrior courage to love is much different. It is important to be your authentic self but it also requires you to be vulnerable. All lasting and meaningful relationships start with trust. If you don’t show your weaknesses and vulnerabilities, you aren’t trusting your potential partner, thereby adversely affecting the relationship. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4. That requires courage.

Transforming tragedy to triumph takes more warrior energy than most can muster. Who faults those who end up discouraged, demoralized and defeated? Life is hard and we live in a broken world. However, overcoming tragedy, persevering, conquering whatever force it might be that knocked you down or kicked your ass…is gloriously triumphant. It takes a warrior’s heart to fight and win at that game.

I could list personal pain and defeat [here] and it would add another layer of credibility to this blog. I have plenty of scars to share … but we’ll save those for another time. Instead, I’m going to ask that you picture your own circumstance and take inventory of how many things you’ve overcome to get to where you are. I bet it’s a good list! But you don’t read this blog for a feel good 3 minutes. You read it to grow.

Now ask yourself, are you celebrating in the foothills when you should be summiting?
What tragedies have yet to be transformed in your life and how will you beckon your inner warrior?

Have a blessed weekend!