Photo by drobotdean
We all feel a pull inside, a quiet voice that constantly asks why we're here.
This is the start of our soul’s mission, the beginning of seeking the light: the truth and purpose that waits within all of us.
Servant Leadership: Ethical, Engaging, & Effective by Dennis Ondrejka shows us that leadership is not about power; it is first about this inner journey of finding truth in who we are so we can serve others well.
“The servant-leader is servant first... It begins with the natural inclination to serve first.”
Photo by fwstudio
“Self-awareness is the cornerstone,” Ondrejka writes.
Seeking the light starts by looking within, at our own hearts, and asking ourselves what our actual values are, our strengths, and our weaknesses. When we look inside with courage, we find our reason for being, and we see the light that guides our steps.
Servant Leadership asks us to think about the person we are on our good days and on our bad days. On good days, we feel “big souled.” On hard days, we are “puny souled.”
Finding the truth about both parts of ourselves is key.
We must see our whole self—the light and the shadows.
This inner work is not easy because it means being honest and asking for feedback. This work means sitting in silence and listening: to be in “contemplation” and “taking a long, loving look at the real.”
When we do this, we start embracing clarity, letting the fog inside to begin clearing.
We then see what really matters to us.
We see how we want to live.
Once we start looking inward, we often find old wounds or fears. These are the shadows, the parts of ourselves that we try to hide or ignore.
But these shadows hold power.
And we must bring it into the light to heal.
Pursuing wisdom, then, means understanding all parts of our story.
There is a powerful personal story about a father’s sunglasses within the pages of Servant Leadership.
The sunglasses “shielded his eyes and soul” and became a symbol of protection and distance.
The story teaches us that we all have ways we protect ourselves--and in seeking the light, we are gently looking at these protections.
Why are they there? What are they hiding?
When we befriend our entire self—light and shadow—we hear our call more clearly. This beautiful idea comes from Parker Palmer:
“Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood.” Your calling is where “your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”
This is your soul’s mission, the unique way you are meant to make a difference in this topsy-turvy world of ours.
It is the light you are meant to shine on others.
Ondrejka says that servant leaders are “called” and, therefore, people in their program often say:
“I am not exactly sure why I am here, but I felt this call.”
Knowing your purpose changes how you walk through the world because it turns everyday actions into something that is weighted with meaning.
In servant leadership, this inner light directly guides your leadership.
Seeking the light of purpose means your main goal is to help others find their own light. The leader’s job is to serve, to clear the path, and to lift people.
Ondrejka lists key traits of such a leader in Servant Leadership: listening, healing, awareness, and commitment to others’ growth. These are all actions fueled by a soul that knows its mission.
When you lead from this place, you are searching for guidance for your whole team, constantly asking yourself how you can help your people achieve their potential.
Through this perspective, you build community and celebrate others, using persuasion all throughout, not force. This creates a place where people feel safe, grow, and do their best work.
Ondrejka shares a story of a father guiding his sons in a storm, who calls them from the shore:
“Pull, pull, pull together. At-a-boy, you’re almost home.”
This is the voice of a true servant leader, one whose voice comes from a heart sure of its purpose. Let that be your voice, too.
Photo by benzoix
The world will try to blow out your light. Busyness, fear, and doubt--all of these are natural and will create new shadows to blind you. Seeking the light is not a task you will ever finish. Not because you cannot do it, but because it is a way of living. Living ends only one way. So, rejoice.
The journey of spiritual enlightenment requires regular return to silence and self-reflection.
Ondrejka stresses the importance of rituals and practices. These are lanterns we carry, which might be a time for quiet, journaling, or meeting with others on the same path.
These practices help us “withdraw and reorient,” as Robert Greenleaf said. They keep our inner light burning ever bright so we can see our way and light the way for others.
This continuous journey is the heart of a life well-lived and how we keep embracing clarity in a confusing world. Seeking the light is how we stay connected to our soul’s mission.
Every day, we have a choice: to operate from our small, fearful self or from our “great-souled” self that is connected to a greater purpose.
Choosing the light, again and again, is the work.
The path of seeking the light is the most important journey you will ever undertake. It is the path to finding truth, pursuing wisdom, and living a life of profound purpose that begins by looking within, embracing all that you see, and letting that inner truth guide you to serve the world around you.
Dennis Ondrejka has mapped this sacred journey in his book.
So, begin your journey today. Find your light and learn how to let it shine.
Get your copy of Servant Leadership Works: Ethical, Engaging, and Effective.
Photo by azerbaijan_stockers
Every person has a deep purpose —a soul’s mission —waiting to be discovered. This purpose is not always clear. That is because seeing your true purpose requires a special kind of effort.
This effort is the commitment to living an examined life.
An examined life is one where you stop to think about who you are, why you are here, and what truly matters. It is to live a life of self-reflection and conscious awareness: looking inward to find your true path forward.
This journey is not about finding perfection, but being present and thoughtful. It is about asking big questions and listening for the answers that come from within. Take time to ponder these questions deeply as part of your journey.
As Servant Leadership Works explains, this process involves “listening to the messages that arise from our souls.”
Photo from freepik
The journey to an examined life always begins with you. Before you can understand your place in the world, you must first understand yourself. This means getting to know your strengths, weaknesses, values, and dreams. It means being honest about what brings you joy and what holds you back.
Self-reflection is the most critical tool for this.
For many, the first time they try self-reflection can feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar. It is the practice of sitting quietly with your own thoughts.
During self-reflection, you may notice that thoughts can be fleeting, chaotic, or even surprising, and observing their nature is crucial for developing self-awareness and personal growth.
This practice builds conscious awareness. You start to notice your habits and reactions. You begin to see patterns in your life.
Ondrejka highlights that “self-awareness is the cornerstone” of meaningful growth. Without it, you might live on autopilot, never questioning where you are going.
Self-reflection is often used in therapy to promote insight and healing.
Practicing self-compassion is a powerful way to support your journey of growth and self-reflection. Life is full of challenges and difficult emotions, and it’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned.
However, psychology shows that treating yourself with compassion—especially during tough times—can make the process of personal growth more effective and safe.
Self-compassion means recognizing that everyone has struggles and that it’s okay to experience setbacks. By being gentle with your thoughts and emotions, you create space for healing and learning.
Living an examined life means being open to a calling. A calling is that quiet, persistent feeling that you are meant for something more. It is your soul’s mission to speak to you.
Many people feel this call but are unsure how to answer it. Self-reflection helps you evaluate the direction your life is taking, and prompts can guide you to deeper insights.
Ondrejka shares a powerful idea: “Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic selfhood.”
You are not meant to be a copy of someone else. You are meant to be the truest version of yourself. Finding this truth is a central part of philosophical inquiry—the search for wisdom about life.
A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning. Embracing this mindset transforms how you approach challenges and setbacks, turning them into opportunities for growth rather than reasons to give up. When you focus on the process of learning—rather than just the result—you become more resilient and open to new experiences.
Self-reflection is key to developing a growth mindset. Take time to reflect on how you respond to challenging situations and what you can learn from them.
Seek out experiences that push you beyond your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. Each challenge you face is a chance to grow stronger and wiser.
As you build this mindset, you’ll find that the journey itself becomes more engaging and rewarding.
An examined life is not something you do just on retreats or during significant life changes. It is a daily practice, and can also be a weekly routine. Even a few hours of self-reflection each week can be impactful, and daily self-reflection practices can be short yet still effective.
It is about bringing thoughtful existence into your everyday actions. How do you talk to people? How do you handle stress? How do you make decisions? Setting aside time each week for a deeper review of your experiences can help you notice patterns and progress.
Servant Leadership provides a simple daily checklist for this very purpose. It suggests starting each morning by setting an intention. Ask yourself, “How can I serve today?” Throughout the day, practice listening deeply to others. At night, take a moment for examination—reflect on what happened during the day, including your job or work.
Consider how events happened and how you responded.
Reflecting on what has happened can help you understand your reactions and identify any problems that need attention. Be careful not to miss important insights by rushing through your reflection.
Choosing to live an examined life is a brave decision. It takes courage to look inward and be honest with yourself. But the benefits are significant: increased self-awareness, fulfillment, and a more profound sense of purpose and connection. You stop just going through the motions and start living with intention.
Your journey is unique. Your soul’s mission is yours alone.
But you do not have to find it by yourself. Learn from the wisdom of others who have walked this path before you.
The journey of an examined life is the most important one you will ever take. It leads you to your true self and your reason for being. Engaging your mind and reflecting deeply on your thoughts, feelings, and motivations is essential to this process of self-discovery.
Photo from freepik
As Ondrejka reminds us, this work helps us “lay healing paths for all of God’s children and support their inner work.”
Your journey not only transforms you—it allows you to positively impact the world around you.
Ready to begin your journey of an examined life and discover your soul's mission?
Learn the principles of servant leadership and self-discovery, and buy your copy of Servant Leadership Works: Ethical, Engaging, and Effective by Dennis Ondrejka today!
Photo from freepik
The mission of the soul is to help others. This is a different idea from just being a leader to gain power. Servant leadership teaches that you feel the most fulfilled when you help others grow. As such is the soul's mission.
This mindset starts with putting others first. It doesn't mean you ignore your own needs, but that you choose to help others. This changes your focus from yourself to others.
In daily life, this means asking a coworker, "How can I help you succeed?" instead of focusing solely on your own tasks. The soul years to connect with another, and it would be delighted to serve.
A true servant leader sees their job as helping others thrive, not just giving orders. This focus on the success of others gives you a deep feeling of purpose. It shows you that your work is about more than just a paycheck.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
To have a spiritual calling is to have a quiet voice inside you that guides you. Ondrejka's book links this calling to being kind and caring. A servant leader shows kindness, gives healing, and is aware of others.
Kindness is about understanding how others feel. Being kind helps you see things from their point of view. This requires you to be a good listener. You need to hear not just what people say, but also what they might be feeling.
Healing means helping people improve their emotional well-being. It's a way to help someone change for the better by creating a safe space for them to share their struggles. Being aware of yourself and others enables you to act with honesty. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses helps you lead better. Being aware of the group helps you understand how everyone works together. These are all tools for living a life with purpose.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
The search for life's meaning can be a long one. Servant leadership gives a clear path: help people grow. The book says everyone has value.
Thus, your role as a leader is to help them become "healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, and more likely themselves to become servants."
This is about helping people grow, not just in their jobs. You see the good in people and help them reach their potential. This can mean mentoring someone or giving them new responsibilities. You give people a chance to lead, not just to get a job done, but to help them grow.
When you help others, you are also fulfilling your own purpose. The meaning you find in this work is not tied to a job title. It comes from the lasting positive impact you have on the lives of others.
This is a process of helping others that gives you a more profound sense of meaning.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Photo by rawpixel.com
Servant leadership is a way of thinking where you put the needs and growth of others before your own. This is a mindset you can use every day.
To be a servant leader, you should listen carefully to what people say and try to understand their feelings and thoughts. This shows you care about them and builds trust.
It's also important to know how your own actions affect others. Take time to think about yourself and ask for feedback to learn how to be better.
Your personal destiny is the path you choose with your actions and your conviction.
In practicing servant leadership, the path involves influence and responsibility. Instead of using power to get things done, a servant leader influences people by inspiring them. This is a way of leading that respects others. It builds a shared goal and gets everyone on board. It shows you trust the people you lead.
Responsibility is about taking care of your organization or team for the good of all. This means you look at your role as a temporary caretaker of a group. You make choices that will help everyone in the long run. This focus on the greater good guides you to a destiny that helps the world, not just yourself.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Your inner mission is what motivates you every day.
Ondrejka's SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Ethical, Engineering, and Effective highlights having a vision for the future and building a community.
To be a visionary is to learn from the past and plan for the future.
Having a vision helps a leader create a better future, and it also helps anyone to ground themselves in life.
Possessing a principled perspective is not about guessing what will happen someday, but about getting ready for its inevitability and working towards realizing it.
On the other hand, community building is about creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose with one another.
It's about working together and trusting each other.
Having strong community support means helping members to be creative and flexible.
When you have a vision and build a strong community, your inner mission becomes a force for good. You are not just living for yourself; you are living for a bigger purpose.
This is the mission of the soul.
Photo by rawpixel.com
...so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
To learn more about these ideas, consider reading the book that inspired them. You can find more information about SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Ethical, Engineering, and Effective, and buy it to start your journey.
Photo from Author
The writings of Dennis Ondrejka hold an overarching theme. In that they are all in pursuit of the road to becoming transcendent seekers. A big part of this road is living intentionally, having the mindset to act with purpose and the magnanimity to accept the world around them.
Life is a veritable gauntlet, and often, we don't know where to go. But what if there was a way to choose our own path, one that truly mattered to us?
That is what living intentionally is all about.
Deciding what's important and then living that way, every single day, is the heart of mindful existence.
When we do this, we grow closer to becoming transcendent seekers—people who live for deeper meaning and who feel more connected to the world around them. It's not just about being alive. It's about building a life that feels right and good, one thoughtful choice at a time.
Dennis Ondrejka recently partnered with Thomas Thibodeau to talk at length about leading others, helping them with kindness, humility, and clear goals found in Servant Leadership Works. Dennis is also partnering with Sage Luis Bastista and number one best-selling author Robert G. Allen to create a powerful book on regaining one’s purpose in life, which will be out later this year.
When we live with deliberation and intent, we are serving our best selves and helping to make our lives truly meaningful. Just as servant leadership is about helping others, intentional living is about helping our own potential grow.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
Living intentionally is living with purpose. Of course, that doesn't mean needing a huge, important job for your life. It's more about figuring out what truly matters to you. Take a journey to learn more about yourself and find your core values. Knowing what you love to do and how you want to make a difference will open your eyes to broader horizons.
When you live with purpose, your actions aren't just random things you do. The steps you take are guided by an internal pull that you've acknowledged.
Living with purpose doesn't mean every moment has to be something big or important. Living intentionally can manifest in the small ways too: how carefully you make a meal, how you listen to someone, how quietly you take time to think, and other minor instances. It's about putting meaning into every part of your life, understanding that even the small things can add up to a bigger, more important story.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
To truly be living intentionally, we need to learn to have a mindful existence. Mindfulness means being fully in the present moment, noticing our inner world and what's around us without judging them.
To live with purpose is to turn off autopilot and truly experience life with a much greater awareness than before.
It's easy to rush through the day, just checking off tasks without really living them. Food just becomes something to fill the stomach, music something to be distracted by, and the world around us simply an interchangeable scene.
A mindful existence helps us fight this apathy by inviting us to slow down and enjoy each experience.
This practice isn't just limited to finding new ways to relax. It's actually a powerful way to understand yourself better and manage your feelings. By watching what's happening inside us with curiosity, we learn about what makes us tick, our habits, and what we truly want.
Having this kind of awareness is key to making conscious choices that fit with our beliefs and move us toward our purpose. Being mindful helps us react to life with proper wisdom, rather than just reacting without thought. So, pause, breathe, and choose your next step carefully. Living like this brings a sense of calm and control even when things seem like they're going crazy.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
An intentional lifestyle takes big ideas and puts them into everyday practice. Setting up your daily life in a way that supports what you believe in and what you want to achieve--this is what it means to live with intention. It also involves making clear decisions about how you use your time, energy, and money.
Living intentionally requires setting clear boundaries between your work and home life, taking specific time for personal growth, or making your living space a peaceful and creative place. It's about taking charge of your days instead of letting your days control you.
This kind of lifestyle encourages us to think about the impact of our choices, both on ourselves and on the world around us. One should choose thoughtful living over just acting without thinking. By actively shaping how we live on a daily basis, we create a strong foundation that helps us live in line with our deepest hopes.
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Deliberate action is the foundation of living intentionally. You shouldn't go into your day-to-day just getting dragged along by the wind or whatever. It's not enough to just think about the purpose of making good choices. We have to actually turn those ideas into real steps. Deliberate actions are the bridge between our inner thoughts and our outer experiences.
These actions are special because they match our overarching goals.
Just as Dennis Ondrejka’s writings show us that true leadership means helping others grow and be well, our deliberate actions in an intentional life help us grow and be well, and in turn, help those around us. It's about putting our beliefs into practice, even when it's hard.
Photo from Author
To learn more about Dennis Ondrejka's powerful ideas and how his books can help you live with more intention, look for his writings, including Servant Leadership: Ethical, Engaging, & Effective and AIs in Search of Jesus.
