Personalities, quirks, energy levels, circumstances, capabilities, talents – they all provide an unending range of curiosities in people. How many of us are architects, debaters, peacemakers, advocates, entertainers, logicians, schemers, investigators, engineers, doctors, artists, writers, dancers or a marvelous combination of all of the above.
Each one of us is different, yet the world is always trying to get us to be as close to a narrow path as possible. I remembered a discussion I had with my nieces a few months ago, in which I told them, “There are as many versions of success as there are personalities in the world.” , and they grinned as if to say, that is exactly the sort of thing their loving aunt would say to them, but I could see it touched a nerve for them. These young girls were vibrant, talented and looking to make their career choices.
The world is ready to give us a charter for what is considers to be success. The pursuit of making a living sometimes aligns with passions, and interests. The lucky amongst us get to pursue a vocation that aligns closely with our passions. Many float through life living ‘lives of quiet desperation’ as Henry David Thoreau so eloquently put it.
Personal Energy has always been a curious phenomenon that flits through it all. How best do we utilize the personal energy given to us? Many of us manage to find ways to keep our passions alive. Take the example of my sister-in-law and her friends, who as mothers in their 40’s managed to pursue their love for dance and performed an Arangetram.
The Gospel of Thomas (From the book, The Great Work of Your Life – By Stephen Cope)
“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you; if you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”
-Gospel of Thomas
Finding out what sustains, motivates and makes us gain that spark of interest in our lives, so we may embrace our Dharma and commit to it, is a journey in itself. There are as many versions of success as there are personalities in this world. Maybe we owe it to ourselves to find what is it that needs bringing forth in our lives.
“To be nobody-but-yourself — in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else — means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight.”
– E E Cummings
Who was it who said, There are two greatest days of our lives?
The day we were born, and the day we realize why we were born?
Must’ve been a smart cookie!
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
– Mark Twain.
Of course – it was Mark Twain
For many of us, finding that spark that sustains and motivates us is a life-long quest in itself. Let’s hope we all find our sparks 🎆
Nourish-n-Cherish 