Below is a lesson from George Bernard Shaw on living with purpose and giving yourself fully to life and others, as well as our key learnings.

The Blue Courage team is dedicated to continual learning and growth.  We have adopted a concept from Simon Sinek’s Start With Why team called “Learn, Share, Grow”.  We are constantly finding great articles, videos, and readings that have so much learning.  As we learn new and great things, this new knowledge should be shared for everyone to then grow from.

What Is Life?

by George Bernard Shaw

“This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

Key Learnings:

• Purpose gives life meaning: True joy comes from dedicating yourself to a purpose you recognize as noble and significant.

• Be a force of nature, not a victim: Fulfillment arises from contributing and creating, not from complaining or expecting the world to serve you.

• Service over self: Life is richer when viewed as belonging to the community, not just to oneself.

• Vitality through effort: The more passionately you engage in meaningful work, the more alive you become.

• Legacy of light: Life is not a fragile candle to protect, but a “splendid torch” to burn brightly and pass on to future generations.