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Today's reading was edited and adapted from The Crown of Individuality by William George Jordan, published in 1909.

Purpose gives a new impulse, a new impetus, a new interpretation to living. Purpose is the backbone of a life of courage. It shows that

the highest justification for living is love in some form. It may be for a cause, a country,

an ideal, a family, or an individual. Purpose at its best means our mastery over

conditions, our mastery over self, our dedication to something higher than self, fighting for

the right and fighting to the end. Were we able to follow a great purpose from its highest flights of effort,

we might find its nest of inspiration in the heart of someone of whom the world knew nothing.

Purpose makes you your own second creator,

and by it you can make yourself largely what you will.

You can choose your own realm.

You can live contentedly in the mud of low desires like a lizard,

or sweep boldly high in the pure, inspiring, bracing air of noble ideals, like an eagle,

...