From the CEO This month we celebrate the importance of having purpose in our lives. The Japanese believe that everyone has an ikigai — a reason to get up in the morning. The French call it a raison d'être — a justification for existence. Call it whatever you like but don’t discount its importance. A 14-year study published in the journal Psychological Science showed that having a sense of purpose in retirement helps you live longer and healthier. A study in Psychosomatic Medicine found that people with a greater sense of purpose have less incidence of cardiovascular disease and lower mortality. A study by Harvard researchers found that older Americans with a sense of purpose are happier, healthier and have far fewer visits to the doctor. And, finally, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that people with a greater sense of purpose experienced less loneliness and made better lifestyle choices to protect their health during the Covid pandemic. In the pages ahead, you’ll see the value that purpose adds to the lives of restauranteur John Rivers, artist Jean Banas, fitness advocate Ann Kahl, and the women we’re honoring as we celebrate Women’s History Month. Your purpose doesn’t have to be profound. Sharing a kind word of encouragement can change or even save someone’s life. Arthur Ashe said: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” John Wooden, the hall of fame basketball coach, said, “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” At Growing Bolder we say, never stop moving forward and giving back.
Your purpose doesn’t have to be profound. Sharing a kind word of encouragement can change or even save someone’s life.
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