Why Do You Get Out of Bed in the Morning?
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.
Cohort Learning
(Group of 5-10 Learners)
Cohort (Group) learning is the favored approach for adults, often provided by employers, foundations, and government organizations for workforce development, team-building, and professional growth. It combines three effective learning methods:
1. Discovering yourself
2. Learning with peers
3. Guidance from a success coach
This structure helps individuals gain personal insights, collaborate with others, and receive coaching in a supportive environment that fosters growth, encourages teamwork, and develops essential life skills for success.
Community Learning Groups
Peer learners, united by a common life transition, learn and support each other through shared experiences, empathetic engagement, and collective problem-solving. Community groups include veterans, young adults, recovering singles, and other common interest groups.
Lesson Exercises
Every course lesson includes a learning activity tailored to spark questions, foster reflection, and stimulate personal growth.
Success Coaches
Each cohort (group) of 8-15 learners is guided by an experienced, highly qualified Success Coach who serves as a mentor and resource. The Success Coach meets virtually with the group multiple times to enhance learning, guide learners, and answer learner questions.
Veterans Transition Empowerment Program
(V-TEP)
The V-TEP program of two bundled courses empowers veterans to chart their own unique path as they transition to civilian life. Join a supportive cohort led by an experienced coach, where veterans learn, share, and navigate the road to successful transition.
Four Pillars of Learning
The Academy’s innovative, inquiry-based curriculum centers on four key learning pillars:
1. Personal - tailored to the learner.
2. Positive - uplifting & supportive..
3. Probing - questions spark learning.
4. Practical - applicable to real-life.
Five Beliefs
1. Appreciate individuality
2. Give sincerely
3. Practice intentional generosity
4. Live with purpose
5. Choose wisely at life's junctures
Smart Goal Setting
Establishing specific, realistic, measurable goals in personal, family, career, and financial areas is crucial for navigating life transitions effectively. It creates clear guidelines for success during periods of change to craft your best life.
Coming Soon!
Digital Downloads
Each of the four courses of the series includes digital downloads of articles, research, references, and checklists that supplement the course video, workbook exercises, and cohort peer learning.
Crossword Puzzles
In addition to lesson exercises, each course includes 4 crossword puzzles as a fun way to learn the terminology. Being fluent in conversation with peers, coaches, mentors, and professional advisors is essential for successfully navigating life transitions.
Coming Soon!
Blog
Previous and new blog posts will enhance course and workbook content, equipping learners with extra references and resources on cutting-edge topics like the philanthropic frontier, effective financial generosity tools and strategies, and mastering life transitions throughout the lifespan.
Bundle #3
Legacy by Design
The Legacy by Design Program helps you give intentionally and generously to loved ones and special causes. Learn over a dozen financial giving strategies and how to avoid unintended consequences of financial generosity, evaluate nonprofit beneficiaries, and compose a legacy of love through letters capturing your aspirations, life-lessons, and values. Organize your personal affairs with this bundle, ideal for those with financial resources to share and in the sunset years of life. Legacy by Design is bundled courses #3 & #4.
Pivot to Purpose
Transition Program
Embark on a transformative journey with the two-course Pivot to Purpose Transition Program. Guided by a seasoned coach, adults navigating life transitions develop self-awareness, leadership, and renewed purpose and gain vital life skills to master life transitions.
7 Thinking Tools
In the Pathway to Purpose course, learners will enhance their decision-making skills with seven easy-to-use critical thinking tools. These tools will empower individuals to make more well-informed choices, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, comfort, and clarity.
Contact Us
Success Coaching
Our Success Coaches nurture and mentor a cohort of 8-15 learners, providing vital guidance, support, and resources. Through periodic virtual meetings and email support, they cultivate essential life skills, ensuring every learner feels empowered and connected.
Meet Our Coaches
Highly trained and experienced coaches will lead the various life transition cohort groups, including military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Coaching profiles will be available on the Academy's website.
Seek, Ask, Give, & Do
We embrace an educational philosophy anchored in Reciprocal Benevolence, where learning flourishes as a natural outcome of mutual kindness and support:
- Seek with an open heart, and you shall discover knowledge.
- Ask with caring curiosity, and wisdom will be imparted to you.
- Give generously, and in return, gain deeper insights.
- Do share the kindness, empathy, and respect you desire.
We nurture wisdom through caring questions, deliberate generosity, and thoughtful kindness.
Study Groups
Cohorts of 8-15 members from the same group are usually in the same class, promoting sharing and support among learners.
Pivot Points, Lesson 1
Learn the Lingo Answers
Crossroads of Life
During life, we encounter pivotal moments of choices, challenges, and changes that shape an unknown future. Examples include:
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Military veterans in transition
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Young adults (ages 18-28)
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Life rebuilders (bad choices or situation)
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Those recovering from a setback
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Recovering singles (lost relationship)
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Career changers & empty nesters
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Retirees scouting for opportunities
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Those at the sunset of life
Mutual Benevolence
Aligned with a shared purpose and guided by the principles of Reciprocal Benevolence, each contributing organization benefits both individually and collectively. This harmonious philosophy encourages mutual support, understanding, innovation, and growth for the greater good.
Strengths-based Resourcing
Srengths-based resourcing unites each organization's distinct strengths for the common purpose of maximizing the impact of life-skill education. Resourcing may include access to:
- Audiences with Life-skills
Educational Need - Expertise & Knowledge
- Financial Funding
- Additional Resources
- Policy Influence & Advocacy
- Best Practices
Essential Life Skills
In today's complex world, many adults lack the essential life skills needed to succeed. While formal education provides an academic and vocational foundation, there is often a void of vital life skills such as:
- Self-leadership
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Financial Literacy
- Emotional Intelligence
- Time Management
- Interpersonal Social Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Adapting to change