Purpose and passion
Well, I've tried to imagine a life without purpose and passion, and all I could picture is a empty and meaningless existence.
Let me agree that sometimes we really do not know or understand what life is really all about— what exactly are we here for? To be born, eat, sleep, get married, raise a family, work, retire and die? Well, that's almost a general summary of it.
But I believe that each and everyone of us have a purpose peculiar to each one us. I could call it our individual life's mission. Figuring it out could be one's major assignment and greatest achievement.
In a more simplistic context, purpose is the reason for anything. It's more like answering the ‘what’ and ‘why’ questions. What am I here for? Why am I doing this? Fact is, no matter who is asking, the answer(s) to the question is only given by the one to whom the question is asked. In other words, “na you ask, na you go answer”.
So let's take this two instances.
As a student in college or university, you need to ask yourself the reason you are in school. It will determine a lot. Are you just there because you were forced out of home, or because you want the social life in school campus or you want to acquire a certificate for employment purpose or for growth, value and self-developement? Irrespective of who pays your fees, you are the sole determiner of the outcome.
Same thing with marriage. Intending couples should ask themselves why they want to get married before even planning a wedding. Just as it is popularly said that when purpose is not known abuse is inevitable. In other words, purpose prevents abuse.
We may have different reasons for our endeavors, but the ‘why’ question remains fundamental. Defining your purpose determines your passion.
On the other hand, passion is the drive — the desire or enthusiasm with which one pursue his or her purpose. It is more like answering the ‘when’, ‘where’, and ‘how’ questions. When do I do it? Where do I do it? How do I do it?
Passion will not go astray when purpose has been defined. Passion fuels your courage, determination, diligence, perseverance and focus against all odds.
The passion to pursue purpose might not be strong enough if the purpose isn't clear or at least, feasible.
When I graduated from the university, the challenge of finding gainful employment set in. I am more inclined to academia than any other field. But then, the problem was that I didn't do an education related course (see why I siad purpose must be defined?). I studied a course that should make me work in Administrative capacity, but finding such jobs wasn't easy. I didn't even have any connections whatsoever.
So one day, I asked myself, “Hey boy, why did you go to school? Is this all you're worth? Why tie down your life to a mere piece of paper?”
That was when I decided that I was going to make myself valuable, at least for myself and others who would need that value. I learned graphic designing, then clothe design. It was discouraging at first, because nobody suported me—not even my family. I was like a big joke happening. But you see, I discovered what is known as “Prestige syndrome”, a personality disorder that makes people feel they are too sophisticated to do ‘belittling’ things even if they are at a disadvantaged situation. It's more like pride.
So I despised the shame and mockery, and pushed myself on. Today, I am proud of myself even though I’m still in the process. I have made progress, and I doing well on my own. Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might is what the Bible says.
There are still challenges and struggles but as Myles Munroe puts it: “Destiny demands diligence”. In this case, I say, PURPOSE FUELS PASSION.
@newbreed @kingsleyy @gloreal have you seen this? 😂 https://img.inleo.io/DQmWptBZHguCBFENmoEmczYZNz47X7wRzoxPegjwKBZof7y/joy-7853671_1280.webp source
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