October 1, 2024 • 39 mins
In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel interviews Rahma Diallo, who shares her impactful journey from growing up in Guinea, West Africa, to discovering her purpose in the United States. Rahma talks about her passion for education, inspired by the opportunities her father had received, and her unwavering dedication to helping young girls in Guinea pursue their dreams. The conversation delves into Rahma's efforts to establish a non-profit organization. Through her story, Rahma emphasizes the importance of paying it forward and living a meaningful life, highlighting the ripple effect that one person's actions can have on generational learning and the broader community.
00:00 Introduction to Purpose Project
00:35 Meet Rahma Diallo: A Journey from Guinea to the U.S.
03:16 Finding Purpose: Helping Young Girls Pursue Their Dreams
07:21 The Impact of Education: A Family Legacy
10:25 Paying It Forward: Establishing a Non-Profit
15:55 Future Aspirations: Expanding the Mission
20:27 Living a Meaningful Life
23:36 Breaking Down Big Goals
28:02 Advice on Finding Purpose
30:32 Reflecting on Life's Meaning
36:30 The Power of Kindness
38:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Resources:
Email Rahma: rdiallo08@icloud.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
Welcome to Purpose Project.
My name is Leslie Pagel and I amso glad that you are here
Because we have an unbelievablestory to tell.
We have Rahma Diallo who shareswith us a simple question of
asking, why me?
And how this.
(00:25):
Simple question can lead us todiscover our purpose and live a
meaningful life.
Let's take a listen.
Rahma, thank you so much forbeing here with me today.
I'm really looking forward tolearning from you and learning
more about you on the topic ofpurpose.
(00:47):
I am so delighted that you saidyes to this and would love to
just start by learning a littlebit more about you.
Who is Rahma who is, uh, well,thank you for having me.
And, um, as I introduced myself,my name is Ramatoulaye Diallo.
(01:09):
I was born and raised in Guinea,which is in West Africa.
I moved to the U.
S.
in 1997.
So almost 27 years now coming upAugust.
Um, I went to IU.
I'm a Kelley School of Businessalumni.
(01:29):
my background as far as careeris finance and accounting.
I have three kids.
I'm very passionate abouthelping people because I feel
like I, I was given a giftcoming from where I come from to
be able to, to pursue my dreamsand, and as such.
(01:50):
Right.
So I'm really, like, passionateabout helping people.
Uh, paying it forward in a way,as you guys say it here.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, I learned that we shareone thing in common already, and
that is we both graduated fromIndiana University.
Oh, yes! Hoosiers How did youget to Indiana University?
(02:13):
I moved to Indiana in 2007.
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
Yeah.
I've been here since 97.
I lived in Richmond, Virginia.
Oh, and then California.
Okay.
Wow.
Okay.
So moved, from Guinea toRichmond.
And then moved around in theStates.
(02:34):
Yes.
Ended up in Indiana.
Yes.
Going to Indiana University.
And then, well, yeah.
This is life.
Okay.
Yeah.
This is home now.
I, I have my three kids here.
Uh huh.
Um, my, my career is here.
Uh huh.
My home is here.
And I have a lot of familymembers now that live here.
(02:55):
Really?
So Indiana is home now.
I'm a Hoosier.
I've lived longer in Indianathan I've lived in my native
country.
Yep, yep, yep.
There you go.
Oh.
So, thank you for sharing thehistorical background.
(03:16):
I want to dive into why we'rehere today.
And let's start with the basic,do you feel like you've found
your life's At this age?
Yes, you do.
It was a process.
But as I sit here, I am 100percent sure.
Really?
Okay.
(03:37):
What is that?
It's to help young girls backhome, uh, pursue their dreams.
Um, a little, I'll give you alittle background.
Yeah.
So that since that's like alittle bit in a nutshell, where
I come from, when I was growingup, at least.
(03:57):
It was 80 to 90 percent poverty.
So basically education wasn'tattainable for a lot of people,
a lot of families, you,especially if you're trying to
feed, you know, to, to get food,do I eat or do I go to send my
kids to school?
Right.
And so 90 percent of thepopulation was really poor back
(04:20):
then.
And I was one of the fortunateones who could, um, Go to
school.
My dad was an engineer.
He was a geologist.
Okay, so I've always felt likethat was like a gift because as
they say by the grace of Godthere goes I I mean 90 percent
(04:41):
of the population is poor right?
Why is it me right like I wasborn into a family that could
afford to send me to school,afford to send me overseas.
That has to be a reason.
I mean, I could have easily beenfrom a family that could, that
was probably poor and couldn'tsend me to school.
The other thing is, um, If thefamilies usually could send and
(05:06):
let's say they have a boy and agirl, they will prefer to send a
boy because it's a veryconservative country.
So the boys end up becoming menthat will have to take care of
their families.
Whereas the girls will end upbeing married off early.
So it made sense to invest onthe boy than the girl.
(05:27):
Yeah.
That makes sense.
So, yeah, coming over here andrealizing I was given that gift
to pursue my dreams, not beingmarried off early, and, and not
being caught, like, I don't knowif you are aware of that.
familiar with female genitalmutilation.
I am not.
Now that's another thing thatplagues a lot of African
(05:49):
countries not being part ofthat.
I felt like I had to pay itforward.
And the only way I feel I can dothat is by being involved with
organizations that can have thathelp.
Right.
But today I really want to, uh,start my own organization
(06:13):
because I really know thecountry, the culture, the tribe.
I know I will be a better vesselbecause I know, you know, I know
the culture, but that is whyreally my whole purpose, I feel
like is to go back home or noteven just back home, but to
start back home and reach out tokids, mainly young girls, help
(06:35):
them go to school, help thempursue their dreams.
Get to a point where they canrealize whatever the dreamer,
right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Wow.
A lot to unpack.
It is.
As you were talking, I, I, Ifelt in my body this gift that
(06:56):
you were describing and this,this questioning of like, Why
me?
Why me?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It could have been me, easily.
Right.
Right.
Right.
But I was, I was born into afamily that could, like, my dad
was an engineer, so he couldsend me to school.
Right.
Right.
But 90 percent of the populationis poor.
(07:18):
Right.
Why not you?
Right.
Yeah.
Talk, talk to me a little bitabout that family dynamic,
because, you Your father madedifferent decisions.
It's interesting too because hehas a unique story.
He was in the village, neverbeen, he was seven or eight,
(07:40):
never been to school.
So that was during colonization.
We haven't had our independenceyet.
And one of the French admin cameto the village and was, I don't
know what he was doing.
But he, my dad had built alittle using wire copper, built
(08:02):
a little car and he was runningaround just wearing his little
short and And he got a, for somereason got a liking or took
interest to my dad and somehowwhenever he would come weekly
started talking and realized, Ohmy God, the kid is bright.
So convinced my grandmother.
(08:25):
To please the French guy, lethim take my dad and offer him
education.
So he was one of the few Africankids who went to the French side
of school.
He was in the boarding school.
That's how my dad got hiseducation.
So because of that.
(08:46):
We all got educated.
You went on to, to, to, touniversity in Paris, majored in
geology, mining, and went backhome and worked.
But because he was also able totravel and see the world, he
knew that educating hisdaughters will be important.
(09:07):
Tremendously, right?
Yeah, it will be something to dobecause he saw like in Paris and
Moscow that women were beingeducated and working, right?
So he wanted that for us.
Wow.
Yes.
Yes.
That's another, why me, yeah.
Yeah.
And my grandmother was like,yeah, he, my grandfather was
(09:29):
against it.
Okay.
He was, I mean, understandablyhe wasn't trusting of the
Europeans, but my grandmotherwas like, no.
I want him to go to school.
And they fought about it, butshe won eventually.
Oh, yes.
I think he's the only one of 24kids that went to school.
(09:50):
Really?
Really?
And has that changed?
Oh yeah, now it's changed.
Since that, he's put 15 kids toschool.
Wow.
I'm one of five.
My dad had five, but he put 10of his nieces and nephews with
my mom, of course, to school.
Yes.
So we're like very educated now.
(10:10):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, and going back to yourpurpose, this started way before
I was with the Frenchman thatsees your dad.
Yes.
Yes.
And gave it and felt something.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
you talked earlier about howdiscovering your purpose has
been a process.
(10:32):
It is.
Walk us through what that haslooked like for you.
Well, um, again, it's moving tothe U.
S.
And just having all theseopportunities given to me and,
and knowing that I could justshape my life however I wanted,
(10:55):
but always in the back of mymind, I was aware of where I
came from, the, the environment.
When I say the whole country,like I was aware that, that
again, it's always.
It could have been someone else.
I could have been home, marriedoff at 13, 14.
(11:15):
And, but it was until I think Iwas about 25, 26, I heard
someone speak.
on paying it forward, and thenit clicked that, Hey, okay,
maybe this is a gift.
And that maybe God or whoevermade me is using me to reach out
(11:39):
to one more person who hopefullywill reach out to one more
person.
And then when I saw startedtalking to my dad about, Hey,
dad, tell me about yourchildhood.
And I realized that he wasgiving a chance, that I was here
in the U S because someone gavemy dad a chance for school.
Right.
(12:01):
I was like, I need to be thatperson.
Yes.
You are that really cemented itlike it doesn't have to be big,
but if I can just get one kidthrough school, then I feel like
the process, it's a full circle,isn't it?
Yes.
And then I started beinginvolved with different
(12:21):
organization.
There are a lot of organizationout there that sponsor kids.
Okay.
Okay.
Um, 30 a month, you're able tofeed seven people.
You're able to send kids toschool, a lot of organization.
But because right now I feellike a 48.
(12:42):
Okay.
I feel like I'm ready to takethat big step of, the second,
,journey I want to do somethingthat's meaningful.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Like I've raised my kids.
I've had the career, but now Ireally want to dive into this.
See if I can do maybe not justone kid, maybe a little bit
(13:04):
more.
But yeah, that's the wholeprocess, you know.
It's just hearing the idea, ofpaying it forward.
Right.
Being explained.
And then realizing someone gavemy dad a chance.
Right.
Yeah.
Like, okay.
Right.
Okay.
Yes.
It is this like multiplier.
Yes.
You know, someone with your dad,he puts 15 people.
(13:27):
Yeah.
Through college.
Yes.
One of them is a neurosurgeon inBelgium.
Wow.
Yeah.
One of them is a head engineerin Lake Mead.
Wow.
Las Vegas.
So they went on to be.
Yeah.
These, uh, people, these amazingcareer.
I mean, I can, I, I want him towrite a book, but right now he's
(13:49):
like, Oh, yeah.
Someone told me recently thatyou don't always know the impact
that you have.
Yeah.
And this story is bringing thatreally clear to me that while,
we can trace through this,Understanding the full impact of
what that Frenchman did, whatyour dad did, what you're doing
(14:12):
is, is beyond what we're able toum, quantify.
Exactly.
And it's not just me, luckilyall the other kids.
Uh huh.
They're all, you know, somehow,some way are involved in helping
out.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's like we all grasp rightthat we were the lucky one.
(14:33):
Right.
How often do you go back toGuinea?
I try every couple of years.
The last time I was there was2021.
Okay.
But in your efforts, here are tohelp the Children in Guinea.
Is that my ultimate effort willbe to help anyone all over the
(14:55):
world who wants to study?
But because I'm much morefamiliar with Guinea.
Uh huh.
I am starting that.
Even if it's small, just to getinto it first.
But as I expand, I will reallyjust, because I know like in
(15:15):
Asia, Middle East, somewhere inLatin America, I've met a lot of
people with like, yeah,education is not easy for
certain people.
And, um, yeah.
You know, here in the U.
S., education is probably, thedebate is, do I move to a better
school district?
Right, exactly.
It's not that whether you, youget it or not.
(15:37):
Yeah.
It's, oh, do I move to a, buy ahouse in a better school
district so my kids can go to,no.
But there, it's like, do I eat?
Right.
Or do I go to school?
Yeah.
Yeah.
And most of the time, you know,you have to eat, you have to
survive.
So, and, and it's not even thatexpensive.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So what are you, what are youdoing now?
(15:57):
Cause so you're, you're at apoint in your life where you're
like, okay, I'm, I'm ready totransition into spending my time
towards more meaningful things.
Yes.
What, what does that look likefor you today?
So for the past couple of years,few of our, we call it the
(16:21):
diaspora, but few people fromGuinea, we all are IU educated,
formed an association.
Did you?
Yes.
Yes.
We each give in 30 a month andwe pick out a project.
Like every couple of years wepick out a big project.
(16:44):
So far, we've refurbished awhole school and set up the
school like a computer room forthe school.
We've gotten school supplies.
And these are the far reachingvillages where it's Wow.
non existent.
Our latest project, actually,which is ongoing now, is we are
re renovating the maternityward.
(17:09):
And, uh, the children's hospitalin a far reaching, village.
So, but that's just uscontributing 30 a month the last
three years.
And it's not even, we're like 50people all in all.
Right.
So Yeah, you said it's not thatexpensive.
(17:29):
It's not.
I mean, in the grand scheme ofthings.
Yeah.
Yeah, a couple thousand dollarswill get you so far back home.
We've gotten wells now you justgo to this.
Roundabout and get your water,your home.
Hmm.
But again, with that, I don'tknow that little wanting to do
(17:55):
more.
I expressed to them that weshould not only form a non for
non-for-profit organization,uhhuh A 5 0 1 C, and then see
about.
Starting to reach out todifferent organizations, getting
partnership, getting help, youknow, making it bigger.
(18:15):
And that's when I am with Amy.
She is the one who's doing theresearch as far as the
paperwork.
Okay.
Okay.
Amy is a good friend of both ofours.
She's an amazing human being.
Talk about compassionate people.
She's one of them.
But, uh, we will, we're takingit to the next level.
(18:37):
Okay.
Yeah.
So she's helping, with settingit up as a legal entity.
Yeah.
The non profit.
Yes.
And then you are organizingthrough the group that you
established years ago throughIndiana University.
No, we are all IndianaUniversity alumni.
Okay, alumni.
Okay.
Yeah, yeah.
That came together.
(18:57):
Okay.
Yeah.
Um, and so you're, you'reworking through them to grow.
To grow.
Uh, more of a non profit.
Yes.
That is focused on well focus onhelping out back in Guinea, but
I've also told them that weshould set up an outreach
program out here for the youthand maybe a scholarship program
(19:22):
for the kids in, in, in, in,because we all went to IU.
Maybe for kids who are going toIU, say like the Guinean
community of Indianapolisscholarship.
Because eventually also we haveour own kids here.
Yeah.
And like me.
That's right.
Yeah.
So even though we, we want tohelp back home, we have kids who
(19:46):
are dealing with issues.
Most American families aredealing with anywhere from drug
issues to bullying.
And so, we want to be also ableto help all the kids as well,
not just focus our energy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
(20:07):
So when you wake up and youthink about, your day and your
purpose, how does that feelinside for you?
It's, it's, When I think aboutthe possibilities and the
adventure that this journey, Idon't know, I feel like I'm
looking forward to life.
(20:27):
Is that weird?
No, it is not.
I've lived, I'm almost 48, I'velived, but it's just this
feeling like I am alive.
I get excited, but in a waythat's, It's like, yes, I know
on my last day on this earth, ifthis is happening, I would say,
(20:48):
yes, I lived a meaningful life.
And yet I've done well so far,but this will be, to me, it's, I
feel like it's honoring thatFrench guy that gave my dad a
chance.
It's honoring my dad becausehe's, helped so many kids.
It's just knowing I can givesomeone.
(21:11):
An opportunity.
To dream big.
And it feels amazing.
Oh, I'm excited.
Fully excited.
Yeah.
I get the whole alive thing.
I'm going through a similarthing with this Purpose Project
and I feel like it's brought meto life.
Yeah.
Um, I also feel things likeuncertainty and fear.
(21:34):
Do you have those feelings toonot so much fear, but definitely
uncertainty because, and theuncertainty is not so much of me
being capable of the people.
Um, I have been doing this withbeing capable is more like the
political climate back home.
(21:55):
It's always unstable.
Okay.
Two years ago.
We had a coup.
So it's very unstable on thatside.
And when that happened, it shutsdown everything.
They could easily jam theinternet and you don't have any
way to communicate with people.
They could stop your project.
(22:17):
The government.
It's a little bit dictatorial ina way, but.
So that to me is where my answerto you lie.
Got it.
Like, are we able to set thisup?
Will it take time?
Will it take a lot of effort?
Yes.
And there's no doubt about that.
But once we are up and running.
Properly.
(22:37):
And we go home and then, oryou're transferring money back
home.
And then it's like, you go tothe bank, the bank is like, we
don't have internet.
We can't do any wire transfer oreverything is shut down because
of some kind of, I don't know,coup.
So that's where the, for me, thethings out of your control,
(22:59):
that's all out of your control.
Yeah.
But it's bound to happen.
So we consider it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So planning for that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Is a part of just bringing morecertainty to exactly.
But to me, that is it.
It's not so much fear.
I feel like, because I've beenwith this group for a couple of
(23:19):
years.
I feel calm and I feel, um,what's the word I'm looking for?
Confident about the way it'sgoing.
But yeah, there is always alittle uncertainty that can pop
up.
Yeah.
Your purpose feels to me reallybig.
(23:40):
It feels monumental.
Does it feel that way to you?
No, because I feel like I, if,if I can just help one person,
which to me is doable.
So it's doable.
I guess I'm seeing it as one kidat a time.
Exactly.
It's the framing of it.
(24:01):
Yeah, exactly.
Because it's, it's, yeah, Icannot do it.
At the level of, you know, thesebig organizations, but if I can
do it one kid at a time or oneproject at a time, like we've
been doing it for three years,then yeah, I don't feel like
it's big because it's still,still small.
(24:24):
I love that starting with thelittle things.
Yeah, like starting with whatcan I do right now to make
progress.
Exactly.
I'm one of those people, if youthrow too much at me, I will be
overwhelmed.
Uh huh.
So breaking it down, breaking itdown, all the way until small
steps.
Yes.
And then it, it's like, And yourbrain works that way naturally?
(24:45):
Yeah, naturally.
So if you, when we started, Iwas like, okay, I know where we
want to be, but let's do what wecan right now.
Well, let's start slow.
And I mean, it's been three,three years, but again, just our
contribution.
In three years, you've alreadydone a lot, a lot, so, One thing
(25:06):
we can all do is just look forthe little thing.
The next step that we can take.
Yes.
What is that for you?
Do you have it all mapped out?
Well, The way I have it in mymind, but we, I want to say this
is me and a few others.
So everybody has something todo, but, uh, we're setting it up
and eventually we want to, weare partnering with different
(25:31):
organization that are pushing usthrough.
So once we set up really just tostart, reaching out to
different, uh, companies andthen slowly but surely start
raising funds, raising supplies,anything that we could, we can
raise and utilize back home.
Right.
(25:51):
Right.
And when you look out into thefuture, let's say, whatever the,
the furthest horizon for you.
What does that look like?
Oh, going home and seeing kids,hopefully building a school, a
full school from the ground up.
(26:12):
Fully equipped, solar panels sothat there is electricity, have
a canteen so the kids can eat.
They don't have to worry about,Oh, I didn't have breakfast.
Um, and just kids who arestudying, thriving.
That's, that's the vision Ihave.
Yes.
Schools.
(26:34):
It's, I know education nowadays,that's the way out of poverty.
That's the way out.
I would love to have a fullyrunning school.
Yeah.
You're you, lit up, like, I canjust see this.
You saw this vision and it justcame out of, of your face.
(26:54):
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's, it's, it, I am reallypassionate about it.
It's again, I keep saying it'swhat gave me the life I have.
It's what gave so many otherkids in my family, the life they
have, you know?
So.
To us, education, that's thesurest way to lift yourself out
(27:20):
of poverty.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So I will.
Yeah.
Well, even revamp the wholeschool system if we're dreaming.
Yeah.
But to me, it's just to be ableto say this school, walk in and
see it.
Kids learning.
Kids hearing.
I mean, I can hear the kidsright now.
I can visualize kids playingsoccer.
(27:41):
It's in my head.
Right.
Yep.
So I imagine people are watchingthis and they're thinking, I can
imagine that too, and I want tohelp.
Help Rahma.
Yeah.
What can they do?
How can they help?
Well, uh, they can reach out.
Okay.
Uh, my email.
Okay.
I'll put that in the show notes.
(28:02):
Yeah.
I also imagine that people aregoing to be listening to this
and, feel to their purpose.
What advice do you have forthem?
My advice will be to, first ofall, figure out what, what it is
that you're really wanting to,to, to do in this life.
(28:24):
Yeah.
Well, when you are gone, What isit that you want to be
remembered as?
What legacy do you want toleave?
And I think when people hear theword legacy, they're thinking
bigger families.
But a legacy could be one littlething, one, a person that you've
impacted in this world.
(28:45):
That's your legacy.
It doesn't have to be grandiose.
So just think of that.
When I leave this planet, did Ileave it in a better place?
will someone know I came?
Will my life, my action, willthat have been meaningful or
impactful in a good way?
to even one person or an animal.
(29:07):
Again, just find what you'repassionate about.
What is it that you'repassionate about?
I've wondered if passion andpurpose are one and the same.
To me, I feel like it isbecause, but because of my
personality.
If I'm not passionate aboutsomething, my mind, no matter
(29:29):
how hard I try uhhuh, I will notbe interested.
Yeah.
Like I have to, it has to grabme in a way, right?
But some other people could findit differently, but that's how I
see it.
And I do think, someone islooking for their purpose.
A place to start could be whatlights you up.
What are you passionate about?
(29:49):
And again, it doesn't have to bebig.
It could be small.
It could be planting a tree.
It could be just feeding a cat.
Small.
But if it makes your lifemeaningful.
Then that's your purpose.
It doesn't have to be big.
Yeah.
And I like the advice that youshared about to understand a
(30:14):
meaningful life, think about atthe end of it.
Yes.
And ask yourself, how do youwant to be remembered?
Yes.
And did you do those thingsthrough your life to be
remembered in that way?
Yeah.
And if not, then work on those.
Yeah.
Do the small things.
Yes.
I want to look back when I'm onmy deathbed and say, I have
(30:36):
lived well.
Yeah.
And for me, living well is toknow that I have, I was of
service.
Uh huh.
Yeah.
I helped.
Because otherwise, what's thepoint?
Yeah, and I love that you'vebeen intentional and even
thinking about that, becauseit's a little scary to think
about.
(30:56):
We don't really want to thinkabout the end of life.
Yeah, but that's how I Yeah.
At least imagine like thingsthat I want to do now going
forward, it's when I'm on thatday, that's what I want to make
sure it's all meaningful, yes.
When you're younger, you seelife, you got, you got it.
(31:16):
You have to do the careers.
If you want to have kids, youhave to raise kids and all of
that.
But then you get to a pointwhere like, okay, I got another
10 years and then I'm retiring.
Yeah.
Then what?
So let me start now.
So by the time I'm completelyout of it, I'm living that life.
Yeah.
How often do you think aboutthat?
(31:37):
This end of life question?
Well, not that often.
Yeah.
Okay.
It's just as I'm getting closerand closer to 50, closer to
retirement in few years, I'mthinking, what do I do in my
second part of the journey, thislife, right?
(31:57):
I want to be heavily involved asmuch as I can in what I am super
passionate about.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I love that.
Yeah.
I'll have a lot of time comingup in 15 years.
And if I am betting you willhave made a lot of progress in
(32:18):
15 years as well.
I've given us a one year.
to set up the entity.
I'm the I'm the goal oriented.
We have one year.
We need to be up and runningwithin a year.
so I love that because havingmilestones, doable things within
it.
Um, we have talked about yourpurpose, how you discovered it.
(32:43):
and one of the things that stoodout there was this defining
moment of the pay it forward andhow that shifted in your head.
we've talked about, things thatyou're doing now to realize that
the support you have, the,breaking it down to pieces.
Yes.
Is there anything left unsaidabout the topic of purpose?
(33:05):
I think other than just we allhave it, really.
Do you believe that?
Yes, I do.
I think we all are, we are as acommunity.
We're here, like the world,people in general.
I feel like we all have a rolewe're playing.
Uh huh.
And, and I feel like we all havea very distinct purpose.
(33:29):
Uh huh.
Yes, some might not realizethat, some might realize that
because of differentcircumstances, but I really do
believe we all have a purpose.
And just finding that out.
It's, it's, it's the start.
Right, right.
Yes.
Yeah.
Finding what light that bulb inyour head.
(33:51):
It's a start.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And finding that brings, whyfind it?
So you know why you're here.
So you know the meaning of yourlife.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Because I, I I read a book of onpeople who were towards the end
of their life.
(34:11):
And the one common trait that Ihave noticed is that everybody
looks back and say, I wish Iwasn't too focused on my career.
I wish I was of, I've done moreservice.
I've helped out.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So that's why I believe we all,we all have that purpose in us.
(34:33):
Yeah.
And, and if you do find it, it'smeaningful.
Yeah.
I was going to say, and yet,like you said, we all have this
purpose and yet so many of usget stuck by just going through
what society tells us we'resupposed to do.
Yes.
(34:53):
And not always what we're calledto do.
And when you're younger, that'sokay.
I feel like it's okay to pursueyour career dreams and stuff,
but balance, I feel likebalancing it out, but yeah, a
lot of people don't get to thatlevel.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Because society.
(35:14):
Yeah, right.
Yeah.
So we talked about findingpurpose in your life and the
reason in what that gives youthat gives you meaning, meaning
what is meaning in your lifegive you happiness, contentment,
happiness and contentment.
Yeah.
And I hope to inspire my kids.
That, uh, that they will see itand say, you know what, we need
(35:36):
to keep moving this thingforward.
Yeah.
But to me, it's happiness.
Right.
I'm truly, because when I'm in,in the meetings or when we're
planning, it's so I am soabsorbed by it, but yet feel so
light.
I walk out smiling like, yes, wewill do this.
Or maybe I'm just too naive.
(35:57):
Yeah.
Purpose gives us meaning thatgives us happiness, contentment.
I think if you're living ameaningful life, you can,
there's no way you're not goingto be happy.
At least that's my belief.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I got goosebumps on that one.
There's no way.
Yeah.
Because you're doing what you,in essence, what you want to do,
(36:17):
what your soul wants to do.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Too much.
I'm going to breathe into thatone.
I love it.
Anything else on your mind toshare?
Ah, let's all be kind.
Let's all just be kind to oneanother, you don't know what
(36:38):
that person is going through,but just even if it's a simple
smile.
It's remind them there ishumanity left.
Exactly.
So let's just all be kind.
To one another.
Yeah.
Take it easy on ourselves aswell.
But that's it.
Find, find what works for you.
And do that.
It doesn't have to beconventional.
Forget about.
(36:59):
Society way.
Yeah.
Makes you happy.
Gives you purpose, right?
When you were talking aboutbeing kind and I was just
thinking about coming back towhere we started about paying it
forward, if we're all sharingkindness, yes, that multiplies
as well.
It does.
(37:19):
It trickles down and it's soeasy to do.
I am walking away, feelinginspired about your purpose and
what I can do to support you inthat.
but also just, thinking aboutwhat I can learn from you and,
but, uh, thank you so much forhaving me.
(37:43):
Absolutely.
I, I enjoyed the conversationactually.
Hopefully some, some of yourlisteners will have, will be
inspired as well.
Like you have, will walk awayfeeling like they can do it.
It's not impossible.
Right.
And if anything, a little bit ofkindness will take us a long
(38:03):
way.
That's right.
That's right.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, Rathma.
And thank you all for listening.
Wasn't that an incredible storyabout the multiplying impact?
that can happen when we pay itforward.
It reminded me of episode five,Do It Even If You're Scared,
where Janeva Shaw-Mims talksabout when we live our life of
(38:28):
purpose, it helps withgenerational learning.
And Rahma's story is a perfectillustration of that.
While we won't know the fullimpact that our purpose will
have in this world.
One thing is clear to me afterlistening to this conversation,
(38:49):
and that is that our impact canreach far beyond our
imagination.
How can you pay it forward inyour life?
Thanks for listening.
Leslie (39:10):
Purpose project is brought to you for education and
for entertainment purposes.
This podcast is not intended toreplace the advice that you
would receive from a licensedtherapist or doctor or any other
qualified professional.
Welcome to Purpose Project.
My name is Leslie Pagel and I amso glad that you are here
Because we have an unbelievablestory to tell.
We have Rahma Diallo who shareswith us a simple question of
asking, why me?
And how this.
(00:25):
Simple question can lead us todiscover our purpose and live a
meaningful life.
Let's take a listen.
Rahma, thank you so much forbeing here with me today.
I'm really looking forward tolearning from you and learning
more about you on the topic ofpurpose.
(00:47):
I am so delighted that you saidyes to this and would love to
just start by learning a littlebit more about you.
Who is Rahma who is, uh, well,thank you for having me.
And, um, as I introduced myself,my name is Ramatoulaye Diallo.
(01:09):
I was born and raised in Guinea,which is in West Africa.
I moved to the U.
S.
in 1997.
So almost 27 years now coming upAugust.
Um, I went to IU.
I'm a Kelley School of Businessalumni.
(01:29):
my background as far as careeris finance and accounting.
I have three kids.
I'm very passionate abouthelping people because I feel
like I, I was given a giftcoming from where I come from to
be able to, to pursue my dreamsand, and as such.
(01:50):
Right.
So I'm really, like, passionateabout helping people.
Uh, paying it forward in a way,as you guys say it here.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, I learned that we shareone thing in common already, and
that is we both graduated fromIndiana University.
Oh, yes! Hoosiers How did youget to Indiana University?
(02:13):
I moved to Indiana in 2007.
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
Yeah.
I've been here since 97.
I lived in Richmond, Virginia.
Oh, and then California.
Okay.
Wow.
Okay.
So moved, from Guinea toRichmond.
And then moved around in theStates.
(02:34):
Yes.
Ended up in Indiana.
Yes.
Going to Indiana University.
And then, well, yeah.
This is life.
Okay.
Yeah.
This is home now.
I, I have my three kids here.
Uh huh.
Um, my, my career is here.
Uh huh.
My home is here.
And I have a lot of familymembers now that live here.
(02:55):
Really?
So Indiana is home now.
I'm a Hoosier.
I've lived longer in Indianathan I've lived in my native
country.
Yep, yep, yep.
There you go.
Oh.
So, thank you for sharing thehistorical background.
(03:16):
I want to dive into why we'rehere today.
And let's start with the basic,do you feel like you've found
your life's At this age?
Yes, you do.
It was a process.
But as I sit here, I am 100percent sure.
Really?
Okay.
(03:37):
What is that?
It's to help young girls backhome, uh, pursue their dreams.
Um, a little, I'll give you alittle background.
Yeah.
So that since that's like alittle bit in a nutshell, where
I come from, when I was growingup, at least.
(03:57):
It was 80 to 90 percent poverty.
So basically education wasn'tattainable for a lot of people,
a lot of families, you,especially if you're trying to
feed, you know, to, to get food,do I eat or do I go to send my
kids to school?
Right.
And so 90 percent of thepopulation was really poor back
(04:20):
then.
And I was one of the fortunateones who could, um, Go to
school.
My dad was an engineer.
He was a geologist.
Okay, so I've always felt likethat was like a gift because as
they say by the grace of Godthere goes I I mean 90 percent
(04:41):
of the population is poor right?
Why is it me right like I wasborn into a family that could
afford to send me to school,afford to send me overseas.
That has to be a reason.
I mean, I could have easily beenfrom a family that could, that
was probably poor and couldn'tsend me to school.
The other thing is, um, If thefamilies usually could send and
(05:06):
let's say they have a boy and agirl, they will prefer to send a
boy because it's a veryconservative country.
So the boys end up becoming menthat will have to take care of
their families.
Whereas the girls will end upbeing married off early.
So it made sense to invest onthe boy than the girl.
(05:27):
Yeah.
That makes sense.
So, yeah, coming over here andrealizing I was given that gift
to pursue my dreams, not beingmarried off early, and, and not
being caught, like, I don't knowif you are aware of that.
familiar with female genitalmutilation.
I am not.
Now that's another thing thatplagues a lot of African
(05:49):
countries not being part ofthat.
I felt like I had to pay itforward.
And the only way I feel I can dothat is by being involved with
organizations that can have thathelp.
Right.
But today I really want to, uh,start my own organization
(06:13):
because I really know thecountry, the culture, the tribe.
I know I will be a better vesselbecause I know, you know, I know
the culture, but that is whyreally my whole purpose, I feel
like is to go back home or noteven just back home, but to
start back home and reach out tokids, mainly young girls, help
(06:35):
them go to school, help thempursue their dreams.
Get to a point where they canrealize whatever the dreamer,
right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Wow.
A lot to unpack.
It is.
As you were talking, I, I, Ifelt in my body this gift that
(06:56):
you were describing and this,this questioning of like, Why
me?
Why me?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It could have been me, easily.
Right.
Right.
Right.
But I was, I was born into afamily that could, like, my dad
was an engineer, so he couldsend me to school.
Right.
Right.
But 90 percent of the populationis poor.
(07:18):
Right.
Why not you?
Right.
Yeah.
Talk, talk to me a little bitabout that family dynamic,
because, you Your father madedifferent decisions.
It's interesting too because hehas a unique story.
He was in the village, neverbeen, he was seven or eight,
(07:40):
never been to school.
So that was during colonization.
We haven't had our independenceyet.
And one of the French admin cameto the village and was, I don't
know what he was doing.
But he, my dad had built alittle using wire copper, built
(08:02):
a little car and he was runningaround just wearing his little
short and And he got a, for somereason got a liking or took
interest to my dad and somehowwhenever he would come weekly
started talking and realized, Ohmy God, the kid is bright.
So convinced my grandmother.
(08:25):
To please the French guy, lethim take my dad and offer him
education.
So he was one of the few Africankids who went to the French side
of school.
He was in the boarding school.
That's how my dad got hiseducation.
So because of that.
(08:46):
We all got educated.
You went on to, to, to, touniversity in Paris, majored in
geology, mining, and went backhome and worked.
But because he was also able totravel and see the world, he
knew that educating hisdaughters will be important.
(09:07):
Tremendously, right?
Yeah, it will be something to dobecause he saw like in Paris and
Moscow that women were beingeducated and working, right?
So he wanted that for us.
Wow.
Yes.
Yes.
That's another, why me, yeah.
Yeah.
And my grandmother was like,yeah, he, my grandfather was
(09:29):
against it.
Okay.
He was, I mean, understandablyhe wasn't trusting of the
Europeans, but my grandmotherwas like, no.
I want him to go to school.
And they fought about it, butshe won eventually.
Oh, yes.
I think he's the only one of 24kids that went to school.
(09:50):
Really?
Really?
And has that changed?
Oh yeah, now it's changed.
Since that, he's put 15 kids toschool.
Wow.
I'm one of five.
My dad had five, but he put 10of his nieces and nephews with
my mom, of course, to school.
Yes.
So we're like very educated now.
(10:10):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Well, and going back to yourpurpose, this started way before
I was with the Frenchman thatsees your dad.
Yes.
Yes.
And gave it and felt something.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
you talked earlier about howdiscovering your purpose has
been a process.
(10:32):
It is.
Walk us through what that haslooked like for you.
Well, um, again, it's moving tothe U.
S.
And just having all theseopportunities given to me and,
and knowing that I could justshape my life however I wanted,
(10:55):
but always in the back of mymind, I was aware of where I
came from, the, the environment.
When I say the whole country,like I was aware that, that
again, it's always.
It could have been someone else.
I could have been home, marriedoff at 13, 14.
(11:15):
And, but it was until I think Iwas about 25, 26, I heard
someone speak.
on paying it forward, and thenit clicked that, Hey, okay,
maybe this is a gift.
And that maybe God or whoevermade me is using me to reach out
(11:39):
to one more person who hopefullywill reach out to one more
person.
And then when I saw startedtalking to my dad about, Hey,
dad, tell me about yourchildhood.
And I realized that he wasgiving a chance, that I was here
in the U S because someone gavemy dad a chance for school.
Right.
(12:01):
I was like, I need to be thatperson.
Yes.
You are that really cemented itlike it doesn't have to be big,
but if I can just get one kidthrough school, then I feel like
the process, it's a full circle,isn't it?
Yes.
And then I started beinginvolved with different
(12:21):
organization.
There are a lot of organizationout there that sponsor kids.
Okay.
Okay.
Um, 30 a month, you're able tofeed seven people.
You're able to send kids toschool, a lot of organization.
But because right now I feellike a 48.
(12:42):
Okay.
I feel like I'm ready to takethat big step of, the second,
,journey I want to do somethingthat's meaningful.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Like I've raised my kids.
I've had the career, but now Ireally want to dive into this.
See if I can do maybe not justone kid, maybe a little bit
(13:04):
more.
But yeah, that's the wholeprocess, you know.
It's just hearing the idea, ofpaying it forward.
Right.
Being explained.
And then realizing someone gavemy dad a chance.
Right.
Yeah.
Like, okay.
Right.
Okay.
Yes.
It is this like multiplier.
Yes.
You know, someone with your dad,he puts 15 people.
(13:27):
Yeah.
Through college.
Yes.
One of them is a neurosurgeon inBelgium.
Wow.
Yeah.
One of them is a head engineerin Lake Mead.
Wow.
Las Vegas.
So they went on to be.
Yeah.
These, uh, people, these amazingcareer.
I mean, I can, I, I want him towrite a book, but right now he's
(13:49):
like, Oh, yeah.
Someone told me recently thatyou don't always know the impact
that you have.
Yeah.
And this story is bringing thatreally clear to me that while,
we can trace through this,Understanding the full impact of
what that Frenchman did, whatyour dad did, what you're doing
(14:12):
is, is beyond what we're able toum, quantify.
Exactly.
And it's not just me, luckilyall the other kids.
Uh huh.
They're all, you know, somehow,some way are involved in helping
out.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's like we all grasp rightthat we were the lucky one.
(14:33):
Right.
How often do you go back toGuinea?
I try every couple of years.
The last time I was there was2021.
Okay.
But in your efforts, here are tohelp the Children in Guinea.
Is that my ultimate effort willbe to help anyone all over the
(14:55):
world who wants to study?
But because I'm much morefamiliar with Guinea.
Uh huh.
I am starting that.
Even if it's small, just to getinto it first.
But as I expand, I will reallyjust, because I know like in
(15:15):
Asia, Middle East, somewhere inLatin America, I've met a lot of
people with like, yeah,education is not easy for
certain people.
And, um, yeah.
You know, here in the U.
S., education is probably, thedebate is, do I move to a better
school district?
Right, exactly.
It's not that whether you, youget it or not.
(15:37):
Yeah.
It's, oh, do I move to a, buy ahouse in a better school
district so my kids can go to,no.
But there, it's like, do I eat?
Right.
Or do I go to school?
Yeah.
Yeah.
And most of the time, you know,you have to eat, you have to
survive.
So, and, and it's not even thatexpensive.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So what are you, what are youdoing now?
(15:57):
Cause so you're, you're at apoint in your life where you're
like, okay, I'm, I'm ready totransition into spending my time
towards more meaningful things.
Yes.
What, what does that look likefor you today?
So for the past couple of years,few of our, we call it the
(16:21):
diaspora, but few people fromGuinea, we all are IU educated,
formed an association.
Did you?
Yes.
Yes.
We each give in 30 a month andwe pick out a project.
Like every couple of years wepick out a big project.
(16:44):
So far, we've refurbished awhole school and set up the
school like a computer room forthe school.
We've gotten school supplies.
And these are the far reachingvillages where it's Wow.
non existent.
Our latest project, actually,which is ongoing now, is we are
re renovating the maternityward.
(17:09):
And, uh, the children's hospitalin a far reaching, village.
So, but that's just uscontributing 30 a month the last
three years.
And it's not even, we're like 50people all in all.
Right.
So Yeah, you said it's not thatexpensive.
(17:29):
It's not.
I mean, in the grand scheme ofthings.
Yeah.
Yeah, a couple thousand dollarswill get you so far back home.
We've gotten wells now you justgo to this.
Roundabout and get your water,your home.
Hmm.
But again, with that, I don'tknow that little wanting to do
(17:55):
more.
I expressed to them that weshould not only form a non for
non-for-profit organization,uhhuh A 5 0 1 C, and then see
about.
Starting to reach out todifferent organizations, getting
partnership, getting help, youknow, making it bigger.
(18:15):
And that's when I am with Amy.
She is the one who's doing theresearch as far as the
paperwork.
Okay.
Okay.
Amy is a good friend of both ofours.
She's an amazing human being.
Talk about compassionate people.
She's one of them.
But, uh, we will, we're takingit to the next level.
(18:37):
Okay.
Yeah.
So she's helping, with settingit up as a legal entity.
Yeah.
The non profit.
Yes.
And then you are organizingthrough the group that you
established years ago throughIndiana University.
No, we are all IndianaUniversity alumni.
Okay, alumni.
Okay.
Yeah, yeah.
That came together.
(18:57):
Okay.
Yeah.
Um, and so you're, you'reworking through them to grow.
To grow.
Uh, more of a non profit.
Yes.
That is focused on well focus onhelping out back in Guinea, but
I've also told them that weshould set up an outreach
program out here for the youthand maybe a scholarship program
(19:22):
for the kids in, in, in, in,because we all went to IU.
Maybe for kids who are going toIU, say like the Guinean
community of Indianapolisscholarship.
Because eventually also we haveour own kids here.
Yeah.
And like me.
That's right.
Yeah.
So even though we, we want tohelp back home, we have kids who
(19:46):
are dealing with issues.
Most American families aredealing with anywhere from drug
issues to bullying.
And so, we want to be also ableto help all the kids as well,
not just focus our energy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
(20:07):
So when you wake up and youthink about, your day and your
purpose, how does that feelinside for you?
It's, it's, When I think aboutthe possibilities and the
adventure that this journey, Idon't know, I feel like I'm
looking forward to life.
(20:27):
Is that weird?
No, it is not.
I've lived, I'm almost 48, I'velived, but it's just this
feeling like I am alive.
I get excited, but in a waythat's, It's like, yes, I know
on my last day on this earth, ifthis is happening, I would say,
(20:48):
yes, I lived a meaningful life.
And yet I've done well so far,but this will be, to me, it's, I
feel like it's honoring thatFrench guy that gave my dad a
chance.
It's honoring my dad becausehe's, helped so many kids.
It's just knowing I can givesomeone.
(21:11):
An opportunity.
To dream big.
And it feels amazing.
Oh, I'm excited.
Fully excited.
Yeah.
I get the whole alive thing.
I'm going through a similarthing with this Purpose Project
and I feel like it's brought meto life.
Yeah.
Um, I also feel things likeuncertainty and fear.
(21:34):
Do you have those feelings toonot so much fear, but definitely
uncertainty because, and theuncertainty is not so much of me
being capable of the people.
Um, I have been doing this withbeing capable is more like the
political climate back home.
(21:55):
It's always unstable.
Okay.
Two years ago.
We had a coup.
So it's very unstable on thatside.
And when that happened, it shutsdown everything.
They could easily jam theinternet and you don't have any
way to communicate with people.
They could stop your project.
(22:17):
The government.
It's a little bit dictatorial ina way, but.
So that to me is where my answerto you lie.
Got it.
Like, are we able to set thisup?
Will it take time?
Will it take a lot of effort?
Yes.
And there's no doubt about that.
But once we are up and running.
Properly.
(22:37):
And we go home and then, oryou're transferring money back
home.
And then it's like, you go tothe bank, the bank is like, we
don't have internet.
We can't do any wire transfer oreverything is shut down because
of some kind of, I don't know,coup.
So that's where the, for me, thethings out of your control,
(22:59):
that's all out of your control.
Yeah.
But it's bound to happen.
So we consider it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So planning for that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Is a part of just bringing morecertainty to exactly.
But to me, that is it.
It's not so much fear.
I feel like, because I've beenwith this group for a couple of
(23:19):
years.
I feel calm and I feel, um,what's the word I'm looking for?
Confident about the way it'sgoing.
But yeah, there is always alittle uncertainty that can pop
up.
Yeah.
Your purpose feels to me reallybig.
(23:40):
It feels monumental.
Does it feel that way to you?
No, because I feel like I, if,if I can just help one person,
which to me is doable.
So it's doable.
I guess I'm seeing it as one kidat a time.
Exactly.
It's the framing of it.
(24:01):
Yeah, exactly.
Because it's, it's, yeah, Icannot do it.
At the level of, you know, thesebig organizations, but if I can
do it one kid at a time or oneproject at a time, like we've
been doing it for three years,then yeah, I don't feel like
it's big because it's still,still small.
(24:24):
I love that starting with thelittle things.
Yeah, like starting with whatcan I do right now to make
progress.
Exactly.
I'm one of those people, if youthrow too much at me, I will be
overwhelmed.
Uh huh.
So breaking it down, breaking itdown, all the way until small
steps.
Yes.
And then it, it's like, And yourbrain works that way naturally?
(24:45):
Yeah, naturally.
So if you, when we started, Iwas like, okay, I know where we
want to be, but let's do what wecan right now.
Well, let's start slow.
And I mean, it's been three,three years, but again, just our
contribution.
In three years, you've alreadydone a lot, a lot, so, One thing
(25:06):
we can all do is just look forthe little thing.
The next step that we can take.
Yes.
What is that for you?
Do you have it all mapped out?
Well, The way I have it in mymind, but we, I want to say this
is me and a few others.
So everybody has something todo, but, uh, we're setting it up
and eventually we want to, weare partnering with different
(25:31):
organization that are pushing usthrough.
So once we set up really just tostart, reaching out to
different, uh, companies andthen slowly but surely start
raising funds, raising supplies,anything that we could, we can
raise and utilize back home.
Right.
(25:51):
Right.
And when you look out into thefuture, let's say, whatever the,
the furthest horizon for you.
What does that look like?
Oh, going home and seeing kids,hopefully building a school, a
full school from the ground up.
(26:12):
Fully equipped, solar panels sothat there is electricity, have
a canteen so the kids can eat.
They don't have to worry about,Oh, I didn't have breakfast.
Um, and just kids who arestudying, thriving.
That's, that's the vision Ihave.
Yes.
Schools.
(26:34):
It's, I know education nowadays,that's the way out of poverty.
That's the way out.
I would love to have a fullyrunning school.
Yeah.
You're you, lit up, like, I canjust see this.
You saw this vision and it justcame out of, of your face.
(26:54):
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's, it's, it, I am reallypassionate about it.
It's again, I keep saying it'swhat gave me the life I have.
It's what gave so many otherkids in my family, the life they
have, you know?
So.
To us, education, that's thesurest way to lift yourself out
(27:20):
of poverty.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So I will.
Yeah.
Well, even revamp the wholeschool system if we're dreaming.
Yeah.
But to me, it's just to be ableto say this school, walk in and
see it.
Kids learning.
Kids hearing.
I mean, I can hear the kidsright now.
I can visualize kids playingsoccer.
(27:41):
It's in my head.
Right.
Yep.
So I imagine people are watchingthis and they're thinking, I can
imagine that too, and I want tohelp.
Help Rahma.
Yeah.
What can they do?
How can they help?
Well, uh, they can reach out.
Okay.
Uh, my email.
Okay.
I'll put that in the show notes.
(28:02):
Yeah.
I also imagine that people aregoing to be listening to this
and, feel to their purpose.
What advice do you have forthem?
My advice will be to, first ofall, figure out what, what it is
that you're really wanting to,to, to do in this life.
(28:24):
Yeah.
Well, when you are gone, What isit that you want to be
remembered as?
What legacy do you want toleave?
And I think when people hear theword legacy, they're thinking
bigger families.
But a legacy could be one littlething, one, a person that you've
impacted in this world.
(28:45):
That's your legacy.
It doesn't have to be grandiose.
So just think of that.
When I leave this planet, did Ileave it in a better place?
will someone know I came?
Will my life, my action, willthat have been meaningful or
impactful in a good way?
to even one person or an animal.
(29:07):
Again, just find what you'repassionate about.
What is it that you'repassionate about?
I've wondered if passion andpurpose are one and the same.
To me, I feel like it isbecause, but because of my
personality.
If I'm not passionate aboutsomething, my mind, no matter
(29:29):
how hard I try uhhuh, I will notbe interested.
Yeah.
Like I have to, it has to grabme in a way, right?
But some other people could findit differently, but that's how I
see it.
And I do think, someone islooking for their purpose.
A place to start could be whatlights you up.
What are you passionate about?
(29:49):
And again, it doesn't have to bebig.
It could be small.
It could be planting a tree.
It could be just feeding a cat.
Small.
But if it makes your lifemeaningful.
Then that's your purpose.
It doesn't have to be big.
Yeah.
And I like the advice that youshared about to understand a
(30:14):
meaningful life, think about atthe end of it.
Yes.
And ask yourself, how do youwant to be remembered?
Yes.
And did you do those thingsthrough your life to be
remembered in that way?
Yeah.
And if not, then work on those.
Yeah.
Do the small things.
Yes.
I want to look back when I'm onmy deathbed and say, I have
(30:36):
lived well.
Yeah.
And for me, living well is toknow that I have, I was of
service.
Uh huh.
Yeah.
I helped.
Because otherwise, what's thepoint?
Yeah, and I love that you'vebeen intentional and even
thinking about that, becauseit's a little scary to think
about.
(30:56):
We don't really want to thinkabout the end of life.
Yeah, but that's how I Yeah.
At least imagine like thingsthat I want to do now going
forward, it's when I'm on thatday, that's what I want to make
sure it's all meaningful, yes.
When you're younger, you seelife, you got, you got it.
(31:16):
You have to do the careers.
If you want to have kids, youhave to raise kids and all of
that.
But then you get to a pointwhere like, okay, I got another
10 years and then I'm retiring.
Yeah.
Then what?
So let me start now.
So by the time I'm completelyout of it, I'm living that life.
Yeah.
How often do you think aboutthat?
(31:37):
This end of life question?
Well, not that often.
Yeah.
Okay.
It's just as I'm getting closerand closer to 50, closer to
retirement in few years, I'mthinking, what do I do in my
second part of the journey, thislife, right?
(31:57):
I want to be heavily involved asmuch as I can in what I am super
passionate about.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I love that.
Yeah.
I'll have a lot of time comingup in 15 years.
And if I am betting you willhave made a lot of progress in
(32:18):
15 years as well.
I've given us a one year.
to set up the entity.
I'm the I'm the goal oriented.
We have one year.
We need to be up and runningwithin a year.
so I love that because havingmilestones, doable things within
it.
Um, we have talked about yourpurpose, how you discovered it.
(32:43):
and one of the things that stoodout there was this defining
moment of the pay it forward andhow that shifted in your head.
we've talked about, things thatyou're doing now to realize that
the support you have, the,breaking it down to pieces.
Yes.
Is there anything left unsaidabout the topic of purpose?
(33:05):
I think other than just we allhave it, really.
Do you believe that?
Yes, I do.
I think we all are, we are as acommunity.
We're here, like the world,people in general.
I feel like we all have a rolewe're playing.
Uh huh.
And, and I feel like we all havea very distinct purpose.
(33:29):
Uh huh.
Yes, some might not realizethat, some might realize that
because of differentcircumstances, but I really do
believe we all have a purpose.
And just finding that out.
It's, it's, it's the start.
Right, right.
Yes.
Yeah.
Finding what light that bulb inyour head.
(33:51):
It's a start.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And finding that brings, whyfind it?
So you know why you're here.
So you know the meaning of yourlife.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Because I, I I read a book of onpeople who were towards the end
of their life.
(34:11):
And the one common trait that Ihave noticed is that everybody
looks back and say, I wish Iwasn't too focused on my career.
I wish I was of, I've done moreservice.
I've helped out.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So that's why I believe we all,we all have that purpose in us.
(34:33):
Yeah.
And, and if you do find it, it'smeaningful.
Yeah.
I was going to say, and yet,like you said, we all have this
purpose and yet so many of usget stuck by just going through
what society tells us we'resupposed to do.
Yes.
(34:53):
And not always what we're calledto do.
And when you're younger, that'sokay.
I feel like it's okay to pursueyour career dreams and stuff,
but balance, I feel likebalancing it out, but yeah, a
lot of people don't get to thatlevel.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Because society.
(35:14):
Yeah, right.
Yeah.
So we talked about findingpurpose in your life and the
reason in what that gives youthat gives you meaning, meaning
what is meaning in your lifegive you happiness, contentment,
happiness and contentment.
Yeah.
And I hope to inspire my kids.
That, uh, that they will see itand say, you know what, we need
(35:36):
to keep moving this thingforward.
Yeah.
But to me, it's happiness.
Right.
I'm truly, because when I'm in,in the meetings or when we're
planning, it's so I am soabsorbed by it, but yet feel so
light.
I walk out smiling like, yes, wewill do this.
Or maybe I'm just too naive.
(35:57):
Yeah.
Purpose gives us meaning thatgives us happiness, contentment.
I think if you're living ameaningful life, you can,
there's no way you're not goingto be happy.
At least that's my belief.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I got goosebumps on that one.
There's no way.
Yeah.
Because you're doing what you,in essence, what you want to do,
(36:17):
what your soul wants to do.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Too much.
I'm going to breathe into thatone.
I love it.
Anything else on your mind toshare?
Ah, let's all be kind.
Let's all just be kind to oneanother, you don't know what
(36:38):
that person is going through,but just even if it's a simple
smile.
It's remind them there ishumanity left.
Exactly.
So let's just all be kind.
To one another.
Yeah.
Take it easy on ourselves aswell.
But that's it.
Find, find what works for you.
And do that.
It doesn't have to beconventional.
Forget about.
(36:59):
Society way.
Yeah.
Makes you happy.
Gives you purpose, right?
When you were talking aboutbeing kind and I was just
thinking about coming back towhere we started about paying it
forward, if we're all sharingkindness, yes, that multiplies
as well.
It does.
(37:19):
It trickles down and it's soeasy to do.
I am walking away, feelinginspired about your purpose and
what I can do to support you inthat.
but also just, thinking aboutwhat I can learn from you and,
but, uh, thank you so much forhaving me.
(37:43):
Absolutely.
I, I enjoyed the conversationactually.
Hopefully some, some of yourlisteners will have, will be
inspired as well.
Like you have, will walk awayfeeling like they can do it.
It's not impossible.
Right.
And if anything, a little bit ofkindness will take us a long
(38:03):
way.
That's right.
That's right.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, Rathma.
And thank you all for listening.
Wasn't that an incredible storyabout the multiplying impact?
that can happen when we pay itforward.
It reminded me of episode five,Do It Even If You're Scared,
where Janeva Shaw-Mims talksabout when we live our life of
(38:28):
purpose, it helps withgenerational learning.
And Rahma's story is a perfectillustration of that.
While we won't know the fullimpact that our purpose will
have in this world.
One thing is clear to me afterlistening to this conversation,
(38:49):
and that is that our impact canreach far beyond our
imagination.
How can you pay it forward inyour life?
Thanks for listening.
Leslie (39:10):
Purpose project is brought to you for education and
for entertainment purposes.
This podcast is not intended toreplace the advice that you
would receive from a licensedtherapist or doctor or any other
qualified professional.
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