BLOG POST 12: From the book 'Die Empty'
From the book 'Die Empty' by Todd Henry
If you’ve been striving really hard to find your passion then it’s important that you realize the true meaning of passion. The word “Passion” comes from the Latin word pati, which means “to suffer or to endure.” Therefore passion comes from suffering. We tend to toss this word around in our day-to-day conversations. Many people think passion is what brings them enjoyment. However, passion comes from what you are willing to suffer for. It is the work you are willing to suffer for beyond yourself. Passion is created when you bend your life around a mission and then invest all your energy and time into it.
A lot of people want to come out of the gate easily with a clear understanding of what their life mission is. But the funny thing is that, there is no one thing that we are just wired to do. There are many ways we can add value to this world. However, opportunities become clear only over time as we act. They develop slowly and steadily, like film in a darkroom, giving you clues as you experiment, fail and succeed.
We have to try different things in order to devote ourselves to developing that one skill of ours. As time passes, you will begin to see noticeable patterns and understand your unique value. For this, patience is required as it is going to be a long-arc game. Hence, it must begin NOW.
When we start to act on our instincts and do things that are more in line with who we really are, we might possibly end up feeling naked in a completely foreign environment. However in order to sing our own song, we have to be willing to get rid of the scaffolding, and all emotional safety measures and just go do it.
Do not worry about being great or small in the eyes of others. Just focus on excelling in your own work. The desire to be seen as great can be a paralyzing force which we cannot control sometimes. Measure the work done by the daily progress you are making because that matters more. Leave the obsession with scorecards to others.
There’s no use wasting our time, regretting the past, because we cannot change or control it. Focus on what’s next. Ultimately, life is measured by what we give and not what we receive. We need to contribute. Build a body of work you will be proud of. Engage in today with urgency and diligence. Plant seeds every day that will yield a harvest later. Tomorrows is only an unfulfilled wish, so live and work today as if today is all that we have. If that is done, then we will be able to lay our head down each night satisfied with our work, and in the end, we will die empty of regret and with full of satisfaction for a life well-lived.
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