the flower, step 6

What goals or purposes would you most enjoy setting our energies to?  This is it, people!  This is the question I have been asking myself for some time and writing blog posts to help me figure it out.  I loved this exercise the most out of everything I have done so far in the Parachute book.  Although I wish this exercise gave me an exact answer on what I should do, it did bring me much closer to realizing what is important to me and where I should be focusing my energy.

The author lists 9 broad outcomes and encourages you to identify which ones resonate with you most - here are the 9 outcomes with abbreviated descriptions:

1. Mind - contributing to knowledge, truth or clarity in this world
2. Body - fitness, health, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor
3. Eyes and Other Senses - beauty, art, flowers, painting, photography, artistic pursuits
4. Heart - love and compassion
5. The Will or Conscience - justice, righteousness, honesty
6. Human Spirit - faith, compassion, forgiveness, family
7. Entertainment - laughter, joy, forced introspection
8. Possessions - simplicity, savings, frugality
9. The Earth - conservation, respect, exploration not exploitation of our wonderful plant

I finally used one of his prioritizing grids to figure this out.  I must say, I am a fan.  A prioritizing grid allows you to systematically choose between two things at a time to whittle down a list of choices.  I found a free online prioritizing grid so you can check it out.

After prioritizing in a grid-like fashion, my top 3 outcomes are:
1. Body
2. Mind
3. Heart

I want to work for a place like City Harvest or FoodBank of NYC.  I want to serve a real need and not a manufactured one.  I want to help feed the hungry, clothe the poor, help others realize the importance of physical health and well being.  I want to focus on things that matter and use my skills to promote basic human needs and truths. 

I don't want to be a slave to those who buy my company's product.  I don't want to force people to think they need what my company peddles.  I don't want to engage in confrontation about things that don't really matter in life.  I don't want to do something that I no longer believe in...