Why Do You Get Out of Bed in the Morning?

May 15 / Aspire to Give Academy


Yesterday, I received a voicemail from a name that seemed vaguely familiar. The message was from Katie, the daughter of an old friend—Sarah—whom I hadn’t spoken with in over six years. Katie had asked me to call her back, and something about her voice prompted me to do so immediately. I asked my wife Suzette to join me as I returned the call.

As we spoke, the years began to rewind.

Over 40 years ago, Sarah and I were neighbors in a tight-knit, family-oriented community called Walton Park. We were all raising young children, going to school events, sharing holidays, and leaning on one another as families often do. Sarah and her husband had two daughters, just like Suzette and I. Life then was centered around growth, laughter, carpools, and connection.

Years passed, and life brought changes. Sarah divorced, her daughters moved far away, and she became a client of mine during my time in professional practice. Our conversations often returned to memories of Walton Park—the good old days. Though our families grew apart geographically, we stayed in touch for a time through holiday cards and occasional updates.

But then came 2020.

The pandemic changed everything. I had recently moved to Auburn, Alabama, to be closer to family. That same year, COVID cast a long shadow across the world, and for Sarah, it brought isolation. Our holiday cards to her started returning. She had moved, and we had lost touch. I worried but didn't realize how profoundly life had changed for her.

Yesterday, Katie told me that Sarah had passed away just a week earlier—after a swift and painful decline due to Alzheimer's.

She also told me Sarah had spent her final years largely alone, disconnected from the people who once filled her life with purpose. 

Her daughters, now living on opposite coasts, had limited contact. Sarah’s world had become smaller, quieter. Her health faded rapidly. As I hung up the phone, a deep sadness settled over me. But also a question: What happens when we lose our purpose?


Sarah’s story isn’t just about a disease. It’s about something deeper. COVID took many things from many people—but perhaps one of the most underestimated losses was purpose. The routines that gave Sarah joy—her family connections, her exercise, her occasional visits with her grandchildren—were disrupted. And with that disruption may have come something even more damaging: the loss of a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Victor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, wrote:

"Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'."

I keep coming back to that truth.

Here at Aspire to Give Academy, we teach that generosity and purpose are deeply intertwined. Whether you’re navigating retirement, a major life transition, the loss of a loved one, or even just a quiet moment of restlessness, the question remains vital: Why do you get out of bed in the morning?

It’s not a rhetorical question. It’s a lifeline.

We believe every person carries an embedded aspiration to give—an internal spark, a pilot light that doesn’t die out, even when life feels dark. Our Pivot to Purpose Learning Series is designed to help people reignite that spark. It helps you uncover your unique "wheelhouse"—your strengths, skills, passions—and align them with causes and connections that matter to you. Not someday. Today.

Sarah’s passing reminded me that losing our “why” can slowly extinguish our vitality. But purpose doesn’t have to be grand or world-changing. It can be as simple as showing up for someone, sharing your wisdom, mentoring a younger soul, or contributing to your community in a way that draws from your authentic self.

Katie’s phone call—her act of kindness in reaching out to an old family friend—was an expression of generosity. It reminded me that even in moments of loss, connection matters. Memory matters. Purpose matters.

So today, I’m inviting you to reflect—deeply and honestly:

  • Why do you get out of bed in the morning?
  • What is your purpose greater than self?
  • Where are you called to give of yourself in this season of life?


Whatever your answer, I hope you pursue it. Because in the pursuit of purpose, we find life again.

And maybe, just maybe, Sarah’s story will help someone else relight their flame.

If this resonates with you, we invite you to follow Aspire to Give Academy and stay connected for more stories, insights, and tips on navigating life’s transitions with purpose and generosity.