Ada Obiako: The Secret To Becoming Relevant

I know you want to be relevant.

You want to know that your existence means something. You want to know that your life stands as significant. You want to feel valuable.  So, what’s the secret sauce? What will it take for you to become “relevant”?

Will it take a higher salary?

No. Surprisingly, there are a lot of people making loads of money that aren’t necessarily “relevant”.

Will it take getting a bigger house or buying more cars?

No.

Will it take recruiting a truckload of friends?

No. You could easily have a truckload of dragging-you-down-to-doom friends…that says nothing about relevance.

Will it take being “prettier” or “more handsome”?

No. You might think so but don’t forget, looks are a depreciating quality…it fades with time.

Will it take upgrading your wardrobe and becoming the best dressed guy or gal in town?

No. Although I will give a hearty cheer to the fellas in fine-tailored suits.

Will it take having the best social skills?

No. Charisma is charming but does not necessarily equate to relevance.

Then, for Pete’s sake, what will it take???

Alright, alright, I’ll tell you 🙂

Funny enough, the answer’s pretty simple:

If you want to become “relevant”, you have to become a GIVER.

Yes, you read that right…a GIVER.

Relevant people are the ones who’ve figured out that “it is greater to give than to receive”. Relevant people are the ones who’ve figured out that their natural gift is meant for their purpose (we all have purpose love – you, me, and cousin Lucy) and that their purpose is centered around service to others. Relevant people are the ones who spend the majority of their time finding ways to spread hope in the world and encourage the souls of others. Relevant people are the ones who are mindful of how they behave around others and how they inspire those around them. Relevant people are the ones who’ve figured out that the joy and fulfillment they seek will come from the spiritual impact they make on the lives of fellow people.

Relevant people are GIVERS.

Think of Mahatma Gandhi. He was, and still is, considered a relevant man. He led India to independence from British rule and inspired several movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. He also led nationwide campaigns in India to ease poverty, expand women’s rights, build religious and ethnic amity, and end “untouchability”. He was an advocate for nonviolent civil disobedience.

Last I checked, Mr. Gandhi wasn’t one of the “rich Indian crew” back in his days. Also, I never heard anyone say he was terribly handsome or wore the best designer clothes or had outstanding social skills. In fact, he wore simple traditional Indian attire and was known to be a PAINFULLY SHY man.

Yet, he is recorded in history as one of the most RELEVANT men of his time.

Why?

He was a GIVER.

If you don’t feel relevant in your life, trust me when I say YOU can change that. And no, you don’t need to have the biggest bank account or the trendiest clothes or the model-look or anything else of the sort to become relevant. All you need is to make the CHOICE to start living from a “givers” point of view.

You can give by using your gift of singing to create music that brings joy and hope into the lives of others. You can give by using your gift of writing and storytelling to lighten the spirits of others, share with others the life lessons you’ve learned, and encourage people (including yourself) to live better. You can give by volunteering at your local food bank to help package food or deliver meals. You can give by making it a habit to smile at strangers you pass by on the street or sit next to on the train. The list is endless.

You can give in a host of various ways.

Now don’t become overwhelmed by this. This doesn’t mean that you will have to become everything to everyone. Truth be told, there isn’t a time when you will be able to help everyone (at each given moment though, you can help someone). This doesn’t mean that you will never receive anything ever again from others either. That’s not what I’m saying.

What I am saying is that there are two vaults you can choose to primarily live your life from: the GIVERS vault or the TAKERS vault. But, it is only one of them that will make you “relevant”, and that my friend is the GIVERS vault.

If you want to become “relevant”, the secret is simple love:

The minute you become a GIVER is the minute you’ll become RELEVANT.

So, if you haven’t been feeling relevant lately, the question to ask yourself is this,

“How much of a giver have I been recently?”

Photo Credit: Dreamstime | Michael Zhang