Greathouse: Pursuing a purposeful path

“Do you know where you’re going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know?”

The incomparable Diana Ross sang those words (from the soundtrack to the movie “Mahogany”) in the 1970s. They are as relevant today as they were then. Those words speak to the existential search for the meaning of life. Bottomline, the root cause of unhappiness is not knowing what you want out of life.

Though the term has become trite, Oprah Winfrey’s omnipresent pleas to “Live Your Best Life,” offer a starting point to find out what sets your soul on fire. That phrase challenges you to embark on a quest that ends in the answer. I speak from the perch of perspective. In 1996, I followed Oprah’s lead. The journey helped me understand what I wanted by routing me on an entrepreneurial path that led to the work I love so much I’d marry it.

Now, I want to help you do the same. I believe the answer to what you really want out of life is buried under a mountain of hidden fears and seemingly impenetrable barriers. The search for the answer challenges you to take a hard look at self-imposed limitations reinforced by excuses and biases.

Hence the reason the Herald-News is extending this column. To aid in the construction of a creative communications bridge, hosted annually on Juneteenth (June 19) to begin to break-down invisible racial barriers. You simply need to show up and be willing to share in honest dialog for the purpose of closing communications gap. Professionals skilled in facilitating constructive conversations will be on hand to serve as moderators.

I believe most people blindly block their blessings by existing within a silo of sameness. My life’s mission hinges on building communication bridges that extend beyond self-imposed boxes. I strive to add value wherever, life leads. In Joliet, that mission is channeled through expertise promoting diversity and inclusion. It additionally includes leveraging the resources of a grassroots network who work collaboratively to make the American Dream more accessible for everyone.

For the Record

I’m brave. It took a long time to claim that title. It was earned on the heels of more failures than I care to count. Bravery belongs to anyone who is bold enough to make big public moves in the face of failure. In retrospect, what matters most (26 years into entrepreneurship) is that I never quit.

“The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” – Barack Obama

Regardless of the obstacle, or the balance in my bank account, God has continually placed people in my path who have helped me connect people at the grassroots of community. So, I begin each day, seeking to align with anyone who leads integrity. At this juncture, I’m excited to join forces with stakeholders who are striving to make Joliet one of the best places to be on the planet.

I look forward to bridging communication gaps via Juneteenth in Joliet that exist between dissimilar people. Further to foster a collaborative environment – over many years – that drives innovation, productivity, and authentic human connection. Most of all, I want to help you push past pressure points that stand in the path of pursuing a life you love leading.

• Toni Greathouse is an entrepreneurial evangelist whose purpose is spelled out in the letters of her first name – serving as a reminder to Take On Neighborhood Interaction & Try Out Novel Ideas.