Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. We often allow ourselves to be swept along by life, rather than proactively choosing our paths. We need to passionately pursue what we want.

Early in our lives, we develop lofty dreams. Thoreau calls them “castles in air.” We see ourselves becoming physicians, lawyers, famous authors, and we have many other beautiful dreams regarding how our lives will turn out.

But, as life kicks us around a bit, we lower our expectations, and begin to settle for what we have become. We cede control like plastic bag—tossed by winds of adversity and challenge and deposited where we along side of road that would have lead to our dreams.

Deliberate living Jim Rohn has said,

"If you don't have a plan (goals) for what you want, then you will probably find yourself buying into someone else's plan and later find out that wasn't direction you wanted to go. You've got to be architect of your life."

Before builders of a massive office structure begin construction, architects spend months in designing it. They discuss functionality, beauty, local ordinances and make detailed plans for building’s construction.

The Babe from Bethlehem changed everything. His perfect life, inspiring teachings, and infinite sacrifice has had a profound impact on world ever since. It was turning point of human history.

Can ordinary people like us live lives of significance? Can we have profound impacts on others?

I am convinced that every person born to this earth has seeds of extraordinary significance built into him or her. While our circle of influence may be much smaller than Christ’s, we can lift lives of those around us. We can have lives filled with deep purpose and meaning.

"There is no passion to be found playing small--in settling for a life that is less than one you are capable of living." -- Nelson Mandela

Our Circles of Influence Of course most of us can’t have influence to inspire world like Nelson Mandela, we can influence our own circles.

Our Families Some people focus so much on their work or their other passions that they fail to inspire and lift their own families. David O. MacKay said, “No success can compensate for failure in home.”

And Harold B. Lee added, “The most important of Lord's work you and I will ever do will be within walls of our own homes."

We should all see that our drive to succeed in world does not keep us at such a distance from our families that we lose our opportunity, or shun our responsibility to teach, love, comfort, nurture, and develop our own family members.

Family is basic unit of society. Our work at home can effect many generations.