You-nique

"What needs to be done that can only be done by me because of who I am?"

--Buckminster Fuller

When Bucky Fuller was young and contemplating suicide as he walked along the shores of Lake Michigan, this is the question that he asked himself. Even though he went on to invent the geodesic dome and scads of other things, and become one of the leading popular philosophers of the 20th century, his specific answer to the question is not that important. Your answer, however, is.

On first blush, it's an overwhelming question! If you're like me, there's a small voice inside you saying something like "Who am I to think that I'm the only one who can do something? I'm just another, ordinary person." But, in truth, there are no ordinary people. It's like the old saying, "The only normal people are people you don't know very well, yet." Do you know yourself well enough to know what makes you non-ordinary?

Here are a few hints. Fist, the answer to Bucky's question is not a job title. The words "teacher" or "accountant" will not do. Second, there's no need to think in Nobel Prize winning terms. What you alone can do may be small on the grand scale of things and yet incredibly significant in the lives of those you touch. Third, use the Joy Filter. Not only will the thing you are going to do match a need that's out there somewhere and use your unique combination of talents, characteristics, and interests, but also just doing it will bring you great joy!

Bucky's question is your Zen koan for the day, the week, or maybe longer. Contemplate it, ponder it, chew on it like a dog chews on an old bone. If you keep asking the question, the answer will eventually percolate up to the surface of your consciousness.

But maybe you really already know the answer! Every time it pops into consciousness, you quickly look the other way. The answer seems too outrageous, or too mundane, or just a total waste of time, energy or money. If this is the case, take a small step, like starting a blog.