By QuaWanna Bannarbie

It is believed that human capital is the greatest asset to any organization, business or community. Would you agree? Think about the last time a consummate professional you worked with transferred, retired, advanced to another position or suddenly passed away. If you can remember that sense of loss you felt when you had to face a project or new experience without them, you can understand why “capital” is the term we use to describe the invaluable resource available in human beings.

Do you remember the children’s song, “The World Is A Rainbow”? When I was a young girl in chorus, we learned to do the sign language to this song. If you watched any public broadcasting show in the ‘80s, I have no doubt that you remember the lyrics.

“The world is a rainbow
That’s filled with many colors,
Yellow, black, and white and brown,
You see them all around.
The world is a rainbow
With many kinds of people;
It takes all kinds of people
To make the world go round.”

It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round. These lyrics, composed by Greg Scelsa and Steve Millang, suggest that the business of the world is made possible by the many people in it. Motown artists, The Stylistics and Michael Jackson, also recorded their cover of the song “People Make The World Go Round” in the 1970s. Both songs refer to the value of human contribution to the world’s existence.

Everyone is born with capital. We all have something to contribute. However, what we can or may contribute is the question so often pondered. The question of purpose has created what we might call a life purpose market. Human resource managers, life coaches, motivators and ministers spend hours a week addressing numerous people on the value they bring to world. But why? If we are born with capital, an inherent wealth that contributes to world business, why do so many people have such a hard time answering the question, what is my purpose in life?

I don’t have all the answers. But I submit to you that an individual’s ignorance of their unique purpose, in part, is due to lack of practice. Yes, I said, the answer is practice. It is true what they say that practice makes permanent. People all over the world recently watched several athletes deliver some wowing performances at the Winter Olympics. It was not because they stepped on the field yesterday. No. They had been practicing daily. Purpose takes practice.

What happens when someone asks you about your hard and soft skills in a job application? Do you stumble on the question? Let’s talk about the difference in the two. Hard skills are technical and quantifiable; meaning they can be measured and taught. Many people have certifications in their hard skills. Some examples are computer programming, foreign language proficiency or playing an instrument. Soft skills are those that are inherent, recognized as your characteristics and are shaped by life’s circumstances. Some examples are time management, ease of communication, patience, discernment or work ethic. Hard and soft skills are identifiable in each of us. Skill should be practiced if you want to know your purpose.

You will have difficulty knowing your purpose in life if you are not practicing your contributions, your art, your creativity on a consistent basis. When people recognize purpose in your life, it is evidenced not only by those who will learn from you but also by those who wish to silence you. Jesus is a great example of this. He knew his purpose, and He went about that business every single day. He had disciples, and He had haters. When you are practicing your purpose, you will experience the same. It is the nature of the business of purpose.

People make the world go round. Everyone serves a purpose. Human capital is our greatest asset, because wealth lies within our souls. It is developed over time and shaped by relationship with other people.

Our world places importance on what can be measured. Perhaps this is why rewards are given for advancement in the hard skills. The quality of the world’s existence is lessened when we give inordinate value to the things that are of lesser value than man himself. Frederick Douglass made the statement, “the soul that is within me, no man can degrade.” I agree with Mr. Douglass that no other man can degrade what is in his own soul. I ask you whether the man who has wealth within him and does not use it for the good degrades himself?

I encourage you today to take action in soul development more than degradation.

Take the time to learn.

Teach what you know to share.

Share what is in your ability to give.

Give what is in your resource.

Prepare your mind for truth.

Prepare your heart to receive.

Prepare your hands for action.

This is purpose and we must practice it intentionally.

QuaWanna Bannarbie is an adjunct professor of Nonprofit Leadership and Management with Indiana Wesleyan University, National and Global. Her children attend Suffolk Public Schools. Connect with her via Twitter @QNikki_Notes.