Summer is here. Eighty degrees and a cloudless sky. Purpose calls out from the trees in the woods. You are here for a reason, they tell the Old Man. Rest is needed, but purpose is paramount. Retirement does not mean rocking chair. You rock and rock and get nowhere. Goals are essential. Work is wonderful. It is especially fun when you pick the job. Autonomy is a wonderful gift that keeps on giving. To be free of the manipulation of others is enlightening. Reading and writing keep the Old Man’s mind open to the next mission. Thinking for yourself is its own reward. Advice is good, but fire in the belly is better. The Old Man’s life has been marked by the sound of his own drummer. The percussion is familiar and favored. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Cooking and life are more art than science. You know when something is right.

When working at Southern Illinois University, the Old Man was counseled to not rock the boat. Keep a low profile, they said. Don’t lift your head too high. That sounded wise until people suffered from the philosophy. Humility and courage are a winning combination. People first, then everything else falls into place. Always put people first. When you defend the voiceless and forgotten without thought of your own advancement, you are on a mission from God. During the Old Man’s career, he saw each person as a sovereign individual. The Old Man hated groupthink. Every person is worthy of being treated as a one-of-a-kind creation of God. Not part of a preferred or rejected group.

The Old Man worked in the Housekeeping Department. Precious people were often considered subpar or those who worked in cleaning jobs because they could not do any better. Nothing was further from the truth. Wise and brilliant people graced the Building Services Department. People who loved SIUC with an unparalleled passion. Dedicated individuals who could do the cleaning duties with one hand tied behind their back and have time to mentor and be a family to forgotten students. Professionals who had the answers to the University’s persistent problems if they were only asked. People of immeasurable intrinsic value.

No one cares about you more than you. No one understands you better than yourself. They do not hear the still, small voice you hear. They see a caricature and not a fully formed person. Revealing yourself is your task.

Manipulators are everywhere. They are puzzle masters, and you are one of the pieces. The genesis of their counsel is for you to facilitate their vision of you as a part of their master plan for their advancement. This quandary is found in all walks of life. Many financially successful people are master manipulators. Their perception is that they are the king on the chessboard and you are the pawn. Many of us strive all of our lives to advance to the rook or the bishop in the life of the Manipulator.

Look behind the curtain. The Wizard is pulling many levers and twisting numerous dials to achieve the goal. While many perform the grunt work of life, a few call the shots. Follow your heart. Find you. When you leave this mortal coil, know that you pursued your mission in life and not someone else’s. Contrary to common belief, we do not all need a leader to manipulate our actions. We must pursue who we are in humility and servant leadership.

Engage in what moves your passion. Be your unique representation of God. Money and titles are meaningless. Excitement in the joy of daily living is the map to happiness.