We can hold one of two divergent beliefs about the purpose of our lives:
First, we can order our lives with the belief that our purpose is to seek comfort, ease, luxury, or convenience for ourselves. Or, second, we can order our lives with the belief that our purpose is to seek meaning, significance, and consequence with others.
The first understanding feels better in the moment and can be a strong motivating factor for a lifetime of personal choices and behaviors but ultimately leads to devastation (not an overstatement).
The second understanding is hard and complicated and frustrating, but brings with it health, peace, and contentment.
The only way we move toward the second understanding is to accept more responsibility, to be willing to be held accountable, and to share generously.
I hope you take time to experience the peace and contentment that comes with choosing a professional life that helps people move toward that second understanding.
And I hope you are moving toward it personally, as well.
Jason,
I stumbled upon your blog posts via your email signature in a reply. It’s a funny circumstance that this is your most recent contribution –
I wanted to say that this one small post, coupled with another quote I heard over the past weekend have been material in reframing my sentiment and perspective about both my day-to-day, and as I continue to grow in my career.
I will share the quote with you:
“The person who carefully designs their daily routine goes further than the person that negotiates with themselves everyday.”
With that said, I no longer wish to seek comfort and instead seek a life of purpose & significance.
Thanks for the wisdom, and good luck in future endeavors!