Born for a Purpose - The Ultimate Reason for Existence

By D.S. Mashego

The book comes at a time when there is a serious moral decay in our communities. Our young people are hooked on drugs and alcohol. Promiscuity in our communities, particularly  among  young  people,  has become a norm. Can somebody explain teenage pregnancies in our communities? Most criminal activities, in our communities, are carried out by young people. Although there may be various reasons why they engage in all these anti-social behaviours, the main source of all these societal problems takes its root from the fact that most young people have no or lost a sense of purpose in life.

To  address these problems, the author urges young people to go on a journey of discovery; to discover their purpose in life. As a young person, it is your responsibility to discover your purpose. To help you discover your purpose, the author discusses purpose pointers and five key principles about 'purpose'. Over and above that, the author addresses concepts such as peer-pressure, habits, self-esteem, spiritual matters, the role of various institutions, etc. Although the book is written for young people, the concepts and principles discussed throughout the book are universal, i.e. they can also be applied in an adult life.

The book is inspirational. It will be a big mistake for you not to read this book. If still struggling with discovering your purpose, this book is for you. If you know your purpose already but are scared to start living your purpose out, the book will encourage you to act. As a parent, this book is 'a must have'. It is a useful tool that you can use to have meaningful and structured conversations with your young ones. The author used simple English to ensure that, anyone that reads the book, finds it easy to consume and apply in his/her life.

What  makes it more interesting is the fact that the author engages  the reader throughout the book using a combination of 'self-help' questionnaires and simple case studies. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.S. Mashego
• Release date: Apr 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9780620722827

Book preview

Country of Publication: South Africa

Copyright © 2017 D.S. Mashego

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

ISBN 978-0-620-72281-0

eISBN 978-0-620-72282-7

Published by the Author using the services of DS Mashego Consulting 212 Golden Oaks, MainReef Road, Comet, Boksburg, 1459

Edited by Letlhogonolo Mashego; T/A Mashed Comm Cover designed by Deep Ink Prints & Designs Media Cover image sourced from renatures.com

Website: www.dsmashegoconsulting.co.za E-mail: [e-mail]

Warning—Disclaimer

This book is designed to provide information on youth-related matters and to encourage young people to search, find and pursue their purpose in life. The book is sold with the understanding that the publisher and author are not engaged in rendering social, psychological, spiritual, or any other professional services. If social or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. It is not the purpose of this book to reprint all the information that is otherwise available to the readers, but instead it is to complement, amplify and supplement other texts. You are urged to read all the available material, to learn as much as possible and tailor the information to your individual needs. Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes, both typographical and in content. Therefore, this text should be used only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source for decision-making. The author and the publishing entity will have neither liability norresponsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book.

TESTIMONIALS

The book is alive and interactive. It impacted my life and I believe it will do the same to anyone who dare read it.

Ntombi Levia Letsebe

In the book, the author speaks of the need for young people to live purpose-driven lives. The self-help activities in the book encourage people to ask critical questions that may unlock a plethora of possibilities and opportunities in their lives. You have to read this one!

Nokuthula Tshabalala and Kutlwano Motlhomi

The book is inspiring, informative, and confrontational. I also like the fact that it touches on the short-comings of law regarding our children and their sexuality.

Advocate Kagiso Mahapa

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my son, Reagoboka, who was not around when I published my first book; Blacks Only: It’s okay to be black. I see a fighter and a winner in you; born to impact lives and change the course of history.

CONTENTS

About the Author13

Foreword16

Acknowledgements18

Introduction20

PART A: PURPOSE23

Chapter 1: The ‘Why’ Question24

Chapter 2: Greater Purpose31

Chapter 3: Subtle Voices39

Chapter 4: Purpose Defined46

Chapter 5: Facts about Purpose54

Chapter 6: Find your Purpose61

Chapter 7: Planning and Purpose67

Chapter 8: Maximise your Potential74

PART B: YOUTH PLACEMENT82

Chapter 9: The Need to Belong83

Chapter10: A Letter to Parents89

PART C: YOUTH IDENTITY & PRESSURES  98

Chapter 11: Young People Misunderstood99

Chapter 12: Beware Distractions109

Chapter 13: Work on your Self-esteem117

PART D: YOUTH TRAPS127

Chapter 14: Youth Traps: Sex128

Chapter 15: Youth Traps: Alcohol, Drugs and Crime136

PART E: WORDS OF WISDOM144

Chapter 16: Education is Key145

Chapter 17: Life is Tough151

Chapter 18: You Need God157

PART F: DECLARATION162

Chapter 19: Declare It163

Conclusion166

Glossary169

Bibliography170

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

D.S. Mashego was born and raised in a village called Makapanstad, north of Pretoria. He holds a National Diploma in Commercial Practice (NDCOPR), a BCom degree, and a BCom (Hons.) degree in Economics. He spent most of his working life in the South African banking sector as a business process optimisation specialist. D.S. Mashego also co-owns an investment company, Lamdan Investments. Furthermore, he runs a human capital development consulting firm called DS Mashego Consulting.

He is the author of Blacks Only: It’s Okay to be Black. The book received a wide media coverage, though not limited to the following programs or media houses:

Aubrey@9 (Radio 702 and Cape Talk), Morning Live (SABC 2), News 24, Classic FM, Your Late Mate (Soweto TV), Bizsense (ANN7), ANN7 Prime (ANN7), ENCA Radio, Jozi FM, Cape Times, The New Age newspaper, Business News 24 (SABC News Channel 404), Black Business Quarterly (BBQ) magazine, Power Zone (Power FM), Weekend Breakfast (Radio 702 and Cape Talk), etc.

D.S. Mashego participates in panel discussions and speaks at national events like ‘Men of Hope’, Dental Professional Association (DPA) Conference, etc. Over and above that, he presents at business and entrepreneurship seminars such as ‘Men of Wisdom’ and other general events; though not limited to graduation parties, family reunions, youth organisations, faith-based organisations, etc.

FOREWORD

The book comes at a time when there is a serious moral decay in our communities. Our young people are hooked on drugs and alcohol. Promiscuity in our communities, particularly  among  young  people,  has become a norm. Can somebody explain teenage pregnancies in our communities? Most criminal activities, in our communities, are carried out by young people. Although there may be various reasons why they engage in all these anti-social behaviours, the main source of all these societal problems takes its root from the fact that most young people have no or lost a sense of purpose in life.

To  address these problems, the author urges young people to go on  a journey of discovery; to discover their purpose in life. As a young person, it is your responsibility to discover your purpose. To help you discover your purpose, the author discusses purpose pointers and five key principles about ‘purpose’. Over and above that, the author addresses concepts such as peer-pressure, habits, self-esteem, spiritual matters, the role of various institutions, etc. Although the book is written for young people, the concepts and principles discussed throughout the book are universal, i.e. they can also be applied in an adult life.

The book is inspirational. It will be a big mistake for you not to read this book. If still struggling with discovering your purpose, this book is for you. If you know your purpose already but are scared to start living your purpose out, the book will encourage you to act. As a parent, this book is ‘a must have’. It is a useful tool that you can use to have meaningful and structured conversations with your young ones. The author used simple English to ensure that, anyone that reads the book, finds it easy to consume and apply in his/her life.

What  makes it more interesting is the fact that the author engages  the reader throughout the book using a combination of ‘self-help’ questionnaires and simple case studies. Get yourself a copy and empower yourself as you journey towards your destiny.

Congratulations to D.S. Mashego, the author, for putting together such a profound and honest material. May the book touch, inspire and transform lives across the globe.

FOREWORD

Mr T.L. Makgwa Architectural Practitioner

ND Arch (TUT), B-Tech Arch (UJ), Masters in Town and Regional Planning (UP)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank every person and every source that contributed towards the writing of the book. I would like to also appreciate the review team for its selfless and meaningful contribution. Your input was not in vain.

A special thank you goes to the editor, Letlhogonolo Mashego (National Diploma in Journalism, BTech in Journalism, Certificate in Photography), editor of The Martial, for his great contribution towards the project.

I have not attempted to cite in the text all the authorities and sources consulted in the preparation of this book. To do so would require more space than is available. The list would include libraries, institutions, periodicals and many individuals.

INTRODUCTION

No one has two chances at life; we all are given one attempt to  make it or break it. We experience a youth season once in a lifetime; that