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Michael Edmondson

What are your nine elements of life?


Today is June 2 and the Navigate the Chaos question to consider is “How do you define the nine elements of life?”

William Arthur Ward, one of America's most quoted writers of inspirational maxims, penned the following statement where he defined the nine elements of life:

“The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.”

How would you define each of the nine elements?

  1. The adventure of life is to ______.

  2. The purpose of life is to ______.

  3. The nature of life is to ______.

  4. The challenge of life is to ______.

  5. The essence of life is to ______.

  6. The opportunity of life is to ______.

  7. The secret of life is to ______.

  8. The spice of life is to ______.

  9. The beauty of life is to _____.”

Navigating the chaos requires one to understand why they are doing what they are doing on a daily basis. To that end, successful people reflect upon the nine elements and define them on their own terms. Doing so helps people understand the very reason they are navigating the chaos.

Ward’s answers are a good proxy but how would you define the nine elements for your life?

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