Will you find danger or opportunity on the road to discovering your purpose?

As I was treating myself to a pedicure this weekend, I perused some back issues of Crain’s Detroit Business which I brought with me.  Even though I was enjoying my reading, I found I wanted to engage in conversation with the nail tech even more.  She was a delightful woman named Kim, and we were sharing life events with one another as though we were two long lost friends catching up over coffee.    I had never met Kim before, but we talked with ease and excitement.  One of the subjects centered on purpose and passion.  It is hard not to get excited when sharing your own story of discovering purpose and passion, or hearing someone else’s story.  We did both!  (Click here for a recent article from Detroit Legal News describing my purpose and passion).

Then Kim mentioned that one of her dear friends had recently ended a long time career, due to a downturn in the economy.  While this is hardly news in today’s economy, the conversation quickly turned to a positive note.  Kim mentioned that her friend was great with kids and she encouraged her to start an early childhood center.  She even had some information to provide her friend, who took interest in the idea.  As I was waiting for my nails to dry in the “relaxation room”, I finished reading my issues of Crain’s.  Coincidently, I stumbled upon an article of another aspiring business owner who left a corporate job and started writing children’s books.  This was her purpose and passion.  I cut out the article and gave it to Kim to share with her friend, along with some information from SCORE about business workshops she could attend for a nominal fee.  Whether or not the friend acts on the new business idea, it felt good to offer a bit of encouragement to her through Kim.  Even though she was a stranger to me who I may never meet, I appreciated the opportunity to contribute in some small way.

A few words of encouragement for another can be so powerful.  Whether it is our children, significant other, or a total stranger, the right word at the right time can be the catalyst to propel someone forward in a new positive direction.  Conversely, a discouraging word could have the opposite effect. 

I often think of the Chinese symbols for opportunity and danger.  These two symbols are combined to make up the word crisis.  Opportunity + Danger = Crisis.  It’s all how you look at things.  Some view their job loss as a paralyzing defeat, while others see it as an opportunity to find and pursue their purpose and passion.   The documentary Lemonade depicts the latter, and is an inspiring account of life after job loss.   

 I’d love to hear your stories of a time you were encouraged by someone and it led to a new career path, or perhaps you were the catalyst for someone else’s new venture.   Do you have a “Lemonade” story of your own to share?  Did you encounter danger or opportunity on the road to discovering your purpose?