Ask Yourself What Makes You Come Alive, and Go Do That, Because What the World Needs Is People Who Have Come Alive

“Ask yourself what makes you come alive, Source and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

This powerful statement challenges conventional thinking about purpose and contribution. Howard Thurman – Boston University School of Theology Most people ask themselves what needs fixing in the world. They look for problems to solve or gaps to fill. However, this quote suggests a different approach entirely. It encourages us to examine our own passions first.

The wisdom behind these words resonates deeply with anyone seeking meaningful work. Instead of forcing yourself into roles that seem important, you should pursue what energizes you. This approach creates sustainable impact because passion fuels persistence. Moreover, genuine enthusiasm becomes contagious and inspires others around you.

The Origins of This Transformative Quote

Many people attribute this quote to Howard Thurman, a prominent theologian and civil rights leader. Source Thurman served as a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. and influenced countless spiritual seekers. His teachings emphasized finding inner truth and living authentically.

The earliest documented account comes from Gil Bailie, who shared a personal encounter with Thurman. In August 1994, Bailie wrote about a conversation that occurred roughly twenty years earlier. According to Bailie, he was discussing global problems when Thurman interrupted him. Thurman advised him to stop focusing on what the world needs. Instead, Thurman suggested discovering what brings you to life and pursuing that path.

This conversation reportedly took place around 1974, seven years before Thurman’s death in 1981. Bailie’s firsthand testimony provides the strongest evidence linking these words to Thurman. Nevertheless, no written record exists from Thurman’s own publications or speeches.

Early Published References

The quote began appearing in print during the early 1990s. In 1992, Mary Kay Blakely mentioned it in a Los Angeles Times essay. She described seeing the quote written on a note in her friend’s bathroom. Interestingly, she misspelled Thurman’s name as “Thurmon.” She identified him as an African-American preacher from San Francisco.

A year later, in 1993, a New Jersey newspaper featured the quote in a memorial piece. The writer found comfort in these words after losing a friend. Once again, the name appeared as “Thurmon” rather than Thurman. These spelling variations suggest the quote circulated informally before gaining wider recognition.

International Spread

By 1995, the quote reached international audiences. An Irish newspaper published a modified version without attribution. The Iomlanu Centre included it among their guiding principles. This demonstrated how the message transcended cultural boundaries and resonated universally.

Subsequently, various publications featured the quote with proper attribution to Thurman. A Richmond newspaper compiled twelve Thurman quotations in 2001. This collection presented his wisdom as particularly relevant during difficult times. The quote about coming alive appeared alongside other profound observations about love and community.

Why This Message Matters Today

Modern society often pressures us to choose practical careers over passionate pursuits. Parents encourage children to select stable professions. Schools emphasize marketable skills rather than personal fulfillment. Consequently, many people feel disconnected from their work.

This quote offers an alternative framework for decision-making. It suggests that authentic engagement produces better outcomes than dutiful obligation. When you pursue what energizes you, you bring more creativity and dedication. Furthermore, your enthusiasm can spark innovation and inspire collaboration.

The Problem with Obligation-Based Choices

Choosing paths based solely on perceived needs creates several problems. First, you may lack the passion required for long-term commitment. Burnout becomes inevitable when work drains rather than energizes you. Second, forced effort rarely produces exceptional results. Excellence emerges from genuine interest and natural talent.

Additionally, obligation-based choices often stem from external expectations rather than internal values. You might pursue a career because others expect it. This disconnection from authentic self leads to dissatisfaction and regret. Eventually, you realize you’ve built someone else’s dream instead of your own.

Finding What Makes You Come Alive

Discovering your passion requires honest self-reflection. Start by noticing activities that make time disappear. Pay attention to tasks that energize rather than exhaust you. These clues reveal your natural inclinations and genuine interests.

Consider your childhood dreams before practical concerns overshadowed them. Young children naturally gravitate toward activities they enjoy. They haven’t learned to suppress their interests for external approval. Reconnecting with these early passions can provide valuable insights.

Practical Steps for Discovery

Experiment with different activities and projects. Try new hobbies or volunteer opportunities. Each experience teaches you something about your preferences and strengths. Moreover, experimentation removes pressure because you’re exploring rather than committing.

Notice your emotional responses during various activities. Which tasks create excitement and anticipation? Which ones feel heavy and draining? Your emotional guidance system provides reliable feedback about alignment with your authentic self.

Seek feedback from people who know you well. Friends and family often recognize your strengths before you do. They notice when you seem most engaged and alive. Their observations can confirm your own discoveries or reveal blind spots.

Balancing Passion with Responsibility

Some critics argue this advice seems impractical or selfish. They worry about neglecting important but unglamorous work. Society needs garbage collectors, accountants, and administrative assistants. Not everyone can pursue exotic passions.

However, this interpretation misunderstands the quote’s true meaning. Coming alive doesn’t require abandoning responsibility or chasing fantasies. Instead, it means finding authentic engagement within your chosen field. Even mundane work can feel meaningful when approached with the right mindset.

Reframing Your Current Role

You don’t necessarily need to change careers to feel more alive. Sometimes shifting your perspective transforms your experience. Look for aspects of your current work that genuinely interest you. Focus on those elements while completing necessary tasks.

Consider how your work serves others or contributes to larger goals. Connecting daily tasks to meaningful outcomes increases satisfaction. For example, administrative work keeps organizations running smoothly. Recognizing this impact makes the work feel more purposeful.

Additionally, you can pursue passion projects outside your primary employment. Many people maintain fulfilling hobbies alongside practical careers. This balance provides both stability and creative expression. The key is ensuring some part of your life makes you feel truly alive.

The Ripple Effect of Passionate Living

When you pursue what energizes you, the benefits extend beyond personal satisfaction. Your enthusiasm becomes contagious and uplifts those around you. Colleagues, friends, and family members notice your positive energy. Consequently, they feel inspired to seek their own authentic paths.

Passionate people drive innovation and positive change. They persist through obstacles because intrinsic motivation sustains them. They bring creativity to challenges because genuine interest fuels exploration. Therefore, following your passion ultimately serves the greater good more effectively than reluctant obligation.

Furthermore, authentic engagement creates sustainable impact. Burnout rates decrease when people love their work. Quality improves because people invest their full attention and creativity. Organizations benefit from having genuinely committed team members rather than disengaged employees.

Conclusion: Answering the Call to Come Alive

Whether Howard Thurman originally spoke these words or not, their truth remains powerful. The world genuinely needs people who feel energized and fully engaged. Passionate individuals create innovation, inspire others, and sustain long-term commitment to meaningful work.

This doesn’t mean abandoning responsibility or ignoring practical concerns. Rather, it means seeking authentic alignment between your work and your deepest interests. It means noticing what energizes you and finding ways to incorporate more of that into your life.

Ultimately, asking yourself what makes you come alive is an act of service. By honoring your authentic self, you contribute your unique gifts to the world. You model passionate living for others and create ripple effects of positive change. The world doesn’t need more people going through the motions. It needs people who are genuinely, vibrantly alive.

Quote Me, maybe?

the quote G.O.A.T.