Relationships, Service, and Purpose: The Triad of Fulfillment

Last week, a community member shared the departing message of the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. I read it on the same day the California wildfires started, as we were all working urgently to find ways to support those impacted and comprehend the scale of such devastation.

I was drawn to his thoughts on the significance of relationships, service, and purpose. His message reminded me of my gratitude for leading and working with a community focused on developing a generation equipped with these key elements. These core ideas are the foundation of who we are as a School and the work we do.

In his parting message, Dr. Murthy says, “I have come to see there are three essential elements that fuel our fulfillment and well-being: relationships, service, and purpose. Relationships keep us grounded and bonded to each other. Service, from formal volunteering to informal small acts of kindness, is about helping each other. And purpose gives our life a sense of direction and meaning. Together, these elements form the triad of fulfillment.”

Dr. Murthy’s message goes on to give many great suggestions for cultivating the “triad of fulfillment” in our daily lives, calling for a “clear and explicit shift that puts relationships, service, and purpose at the heart of society—and our lives.” 

I am proud that this rings true for what we do at All Saints’ and in education every day. I shared Dr. Murthy’s message with our faculty and staff with a note of appreciation for everything they do each day to create this impact. Our mission and our work, focused on these same principles, enable our students to find their sense of purpose in the world and truly connect with something bigger than themselves.

The fires and devastation in California have brought our call to serve and support one another to the forefront. As a School community, we are driven to “serve a world in need.” We are in touch with partner schools through our accrediting associations. We are awaiting additional information about specific needs, and once we get that information, we will share it with our community so we can take action.