My purpose: to lift your spirit and to motivate you.

Hear, O children of hope, the words of Mavis Staples, the voice that rose from the church pews to the stage of the world, who declared: “My purpose: to lift your spirit and to motivate you.” These words are not the boast of an artist seeking fame, but the solemn vow of one who understands the sacred duty of song and of life itself. For the true gift of a voice, whether in music or in action, is not to glorify the self but to awaken the souls of others, to kindle courage, and to set weary hearts aflame with joy.

The meaning of this saying lies in the nature of purpose. Many live without knowing why they walk upon the earth, chasing shadows of wealth, power, or fleeting pleasure. But Staples, born into the legacy of gospel and the struggle for justice, chose her purpose with clarity: to lift spirits and motivate hearts. This is the calling of the healer, the teacher, the prophet—those who live not for their own rise, but to help others rise. Her words remind us that true greatness is not measured by applause, but by how many lives are strengthened by your presence.

The origin of these words is woven into the story of her life. With the Staple Singers, Mavis carried the sound of gospel into the marches of the civil rights era. Her voice became the hymn of a movement, blending faith with action, melody with courage. In times when spirits were bowed under oppression, her purpose shone clear: to motivate the weary to keep walking, to remind them through song that freedom was possible, that dignity could not be destroyed. Thus, her personal vow became a force in history, proving that music is not merely sound, but spirit embodied.

Consider also the life of Harriet Tubman, who, though born enslaved, discovered her purpose was not only to free herself, but to return again and again to guide others to liberty. She lifted spirits through her courage, motivated hearts through her fearlessness, and became a living song of freedom. Like Staples, Tubman’s purpose was not for herself alone—it was a beacon that lit the way for countless others. Such lives remind us that when a person chooses a purpose greater than self, they become immortal in the memory of humankind.

Mark this, O seekers of truth: the soul that sets its purpose on lifting others rises higher than one who seeks only personal gain. For joy multiplies when shared, courage grows when given, and love, when poured out, never runs dry. To motivate others is not to push them with harshness, but to awaken within them the power they already possess, to remind them of the fire that still smolders in their hearts. This is the path of true leadership—not domination, but inspiration.

Practical wisdom calls you: ask yourself each day, “Whom can I lift today? Whom can I motivate?” Perhaps it is a friend in sorrow, to whom you speak words of encouragement. Perhaps it is a stranger, to whom you offer a smile. Perhaps it is yourself, weary in spirit, whom you lift by remembering your own strength. Live deliberately in this way, and your life will become a hymn of hope sung into the world.

So remember the teaching of Mavis Staples: “My purpose: to lift your spirit and to motivate you.” Let this also be your purpose. Let your words heal, your deeds inspire, and your presence be a blessing wherever you walk. For the measure of a life is not in crowns or riches, but in the spirits lifted and the souls awakened by your journey. Live so, and you will not only fulfill your purpose, but you will become a beacon for generations yet unborn, guiding them toward courage, joy, and love.

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