Life really is the hero’s journey.
And mine went something like this:
Starting at about 6/7 years old– contemplating why I’m here? What I’m born for? What’s my purpose?
As deep as that sounds for a wee lad to ponder, it wasn’t existential. I just wanted something to commit to.
I couldn’t get it out of my head. In fact, I obsessed with my purpose so much that everyday life was uninteresting and seemed like a waste of time.
That’s where it went bad.
Each year, I’d half ass everything.
Friends, crushes, school, hobbies– you name it.
I’d barely involve myself with others, I’d give everything minimal effort, and even when I was having fun– I was really only ever thinking about one thing: MY PURPOSE.
Why was I born?
This lasted all the way til High School, and then I realized something.
I’ve led a shitty fucking life.
I could have been living it up this whole time, but instead was sucked up in bullshit obsession. Maybe your dreams come true and maybe they don’t– knowing that, I’d rather play and have a helluva time while I’m here.
Funny enough,
When I left it– I found it.
That year was my “Fuck it” year. I decided to be who I admired instead of chase what I desired.
I played.
Rather than being a background character, I was loud. I threw myself at the center of it all. I went for it.
What followed? I became the guy. The popular kid everyone loved, and since I wasn’t trying to be anything– I was just me, I started to get waaaaaay more juice out of life. And through this attitude– I came across the thing that fueled me.
And then?
…I left it like a dumbass fucking loser.
Yup. Why?
My head grew too big and I thought I was the chosen one… dangerous waters.
Years passed by and during this time I chased everything not me. I thought I could do it all, and as a result did nothing.
After taking the L from the universe, I returned to my origins.
I moved backwards.
I did this TWICE.
Left, moved cities, chased bullshit and then came back.
It led to a spotty employment history, a negative net worth, and depression– from not living as who you are.
BUT IT WAS THE BEST THING FOR ME.
Because of my flaking and flip-flopping, I humbly made my way back. I started at the bottom. I focused on what I could do, where I was.
I wrote.
That single action led to more opportunities.
I took a job from that published work.
That job, against the odds, led me to the thing that sparked my fire in the first place.
Now I’m here– doing what I’m made to do. I’m answering my call. And my advice for you is this:
It never changed, you just had to refind yourself.
Success isn’t something you get, it’s who you are. It’s living as you.
Life comes FROM you, not for you.
#Foolon