Enjoying the Journey

An ongoing quest for purpose
By D.K. Parker

Today I write to you from beautiful Lincoln, NE, my new home! Those who know me well always ask, “Lincoln? Nebraska?” “What are you doing in Lincoln, NE?” My answer is always very simple, “Enjoying the journey.” Life is a journey, and after three months here in Lincoln, I can say with 100% confidence that this is where God wants me, for now that is!

After my first trip to Romania in 2004, I realized that life is a journey, a journey that we should embrace and enjoy. My personal journey has always been centered on “what is my purpose in life”. Today I am closer to the answer than I have ever been.

I spent the last 6 years working in corporate America. It was a priceless adventure that I look back on proudly. I lived in right field of Wrigley in Chicago, I partied with celebrities in New York City, I attended the Oscars, I watched close friends have children and grow their families, I traveled the world experiencing life to its fullest, I fell in and out of love with the most beautiful woman, I lost two good friends to untimely deaths, but though all the ups and downs I often reflex on my greatest experience of all, that being the life long friends I made along the way. God brought us together though various unique circumstances, I hope and pray that I had a positive impact on their lives. After six wonderful years, I gave up the comforts of my pension and the security of my job to take on new challenges, and I could not be happier with that decision.

Now, I am starting a new chapter in my life; a chapter that I would title, “Change, It Is What You Make of It.” I could not be happier in Lincoln, a town of 250,000 people. Grant it, it is not as sexy as Chicago or NYC, but assure there is something very special about this place, perhaps it is as simple as knowing that I am suppose to be here. The people of Nebraska are some of the hardest working, most dedicated individuals you will ever meet. There is a true passion that exists in everyone I encounter. It could be the young supply chain analyst hell bent on making his mark, the father of who wants more for his children than he had, the executive who has came back to Lincoln to drive positive change in the community, or the naturalized immigrant who loves America and Lincoln and wants to show his friends the “real America.”

Life is an ongoing journey for each of us. Many of us seek the ultimate question of purpose. I can not tell you what that is for you. It is different for us all, but through good friends, a relationship with God, and belief in yourself you will find your purpose. For me, well, after a lot of prayers and conversations with friends I believe that my purpose in life is the betterment of others. I am convinced that my success can only be measured by the success of those I interact with. God has blessed me with a unique personality and outlook on life. I can only hope and pray that He will use me as a tool to drive positive change here in my new home of Lincoln, NE. Come visit, it is a surprisingly amazing place!