Why Being True to Yourself Really Matters
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman
Have you ever felt pressured to do what everyone says “the world needs”? Maybe you think you have to be a doctor, a teacher, or an inventor to make a difference, even if that’s not what excites you. Howard Thurman, a wise philosopher and teacher, turned this thinking on its head with a simple, powerful idea:
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Let’s break it down in plain language. Thurman is saying that the best way to help the world isn’t to simply do what others expect, or what’s considered “important” by society. Instead, he encourages us to pay attention to what truly excites and energizes us—the things, big or small, that make us “come alive.” Maybe it’s music, art, helping others, building things, or countless other passions.
Why is this good advice? Because when you do something you love, you bring your best self to it. You’re motivated, creative, and full of energy. That passion is contagious—it inspires others and often ends up helping the world in ways you couldn’t have imagined. The world doesn’t need more people just following the crowd; it needs people who are fully engaged, passionate, and alive.
So next time you wonder what you should do with your life, don’t start with what you think is “needed.” Start with what lights you up inside. That’s how you can truly make a difference—not just for yourself, but for everyone around you.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 