For more than three decades, I have been learning and consciously practicing life on purpose. This morning part of a poem by an unknown author came to mind. It is called “Comes the Dawn.”

After a while, you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn…
With each goodbye, you learn.

I used to relate “with each goodbye, you learn” mostly to relationships or death. In the Fourth Quarter of life, I have expanded this thought to include events, the passing of years, days, hours, and even moments. I want to learn to say goodbye so well that the next moment is fresher and, after my final scene, the world is better.

With each goodbye, I want to become clearer about how to accelerate what matters most. This means – seeing what matters, keeping it top of mind, and taking action toward it.

Choosing purpose over fear and deciding how to live it, is becoming more and more essential.

Here are six things that matter most to me day in and day out:
1. Trusting Love (over fear).
2. Personal Health.
3. Family.
4. Life Work.
5. Letting my purpose decide for me.
6. Applying and expressing my Thought, Energy, and Action On Purpose now.

Keeping these at the forefront of my mind brings a sense of clarity, focus, and direction for me.