What can you not NOT do?

No, it is not a typo, but an actual question that was posed to me about a year ago. A year later and I am still fine tuning my answer. It is a question that gets at the heart of who you are as a person, employee, spouse, parent, and friend. There are several questions that must be answered as you search for the answer to the main question:

• What can I not NOT do & still be myself?
  
• Who am I and what am I about regardless of my context?
  
• What do I always have to be doing?
  
• What end do I have in mind?
  

I think this last questions sums it up nicely. I attended a funeral for a man named George. George was a great person in our church and made a great impact on people. It was very clear what George could not NOT do as the speakers began to describe the type of person George was.

One way to sum up this question is to think about your funeral. What do you want people to say about you when you pass on from this world? How do you want to be remembered? What is the lasting impression you want to make after you are gone?

I also encourage you to dig deep. Don't accept your first answer. If you answer "I cannot NOT be a good dad." Then I would challenge you to define what it means to be a good dad. And which of those "good dad" principles can overlap into other areas of your life such as your spouse, co-workers, friends, etc.

As for me? I am still landing on an answer, but it has to do with helping people to identify their purpose and calling in life to influence and impact others. There are many forms this will take as it depends on the context and circumstances. As a dad, I want to show my kids who they can become and how to become that person. As a pastor, I want to show people the impact they can make on the people around them. As a coach, I want to show my players how good they are and how hard you have to work.

Question: What can you not NOT do?