[blockquote source=”Shannon L. Alder”]“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”[/blockquote]

A friend stopped by to visit today. “I have something to share,” he smiled “A conversation that made its way to me.”

I’ve always loved the idea of words ‘finding’ me. Particularly, when it’s later proven that they’ve a much deeper meaning. I think that’s the nature of this great, big Universe. In some inexplicable twist-turning of events, these messages seem to find their way to us. Perhaps, we’re intended to serve as a messenger, of sorts? Offering their often brash harshness the softness of human form.

It was precisely what brought my friend to me today.

He had been wondering over our purpose in life. More specifically, whether or not their may be a correlation between our experiences and our ultimate journey.

“Maybe our souls were given a task,” he began. “to experience this life, and to learn. Not to learn about the mechanics of things, but rather to better understand the essence of being. When combined, what will all these souls say? Perhaps together, they will have so much more to share.”

Indeed, isn’t this always our purpose? To share of this collective whole of humanity, to lessen the burden of others in need?

My darlings, I believe we all have a purpose here. And sometimes, that purpose is much bigger than we may ever imagine.

The Persian poet, Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī once wrote, “Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul to heal. Walk out of your house as a shepherd.”

He was speaking of our role in this Universe. To understand the inherent nature of compassion; to serve as its shepherd.

There are no coincidences in this life. What we may view as happenstance, rest assured – there is a purpose.

That we may carve our names on the hearts of others, a legacy etched for all to share.