We have been taught to believe that power and pleasure are the end goals of life. However, these pursuits will never bring us purpose or meaning in life. We will never matter in a life filled with a pursuit, or desire to have power and pleasure. In that world, we become instruments for others. We lose our character as human beings, and we lose the fight to matter.
To matter, to have a purpose is a self-exploration to make a difference. As a species, we ponder big questions. Why am I here? Who am I? Why me? These questions scream for evidence to understand why we exist, why we live. We are in a constant pursuit to live a life that is meaningful, purposeful, and one that counts. We want to matter. We must matter.
Power and pleasure do not guide us to a life that helps us to understand why we exist. Power and pleasure can protect us from pain, wounds, and feeling lost, but surrounding ourselves with a shield only isolates us from living. Wounds matter.
Growth, in my opinion only comes from suffering; growth manifests from the wreckage we are forced to confront in life. Growth is learning; learning the lessons and blessings of our tests and tribulations opens the door to comprehending the whys in life. Failure is growth.
To believe power is an end goal is buying into a cultural fabrication that power is vital to life. The pursuit of power is an elixir for the weak trying to maintain an illusion of control. We have never been in control; we are not in control, and we will never have control. Control, like gravity, is beyond us.
When we accept the notion we are powerless, we free ourselves to find the meaning of our experiences. We gift ourselves the opportunity to matter by making a difference in our communities without the incessant need to feel seen. We forget doing and shift to being.
While pleasure may seem to be an end goal, it cannot be. Seeking pleasure is like seeking air. It is always available to us, but only when we are willing to accept that it has always been there. A pursuit of pleasure has the audacity to compel us to seek out things that bring us momentary pleasures, which creates an illusion that pleasure comes from things. Pleasure comes from within, nothing external. Pleasure, like happiness, is a choice we make.
The challenge of living is finding the reasons behind our suffering, our wounds. Suffering has the ability to teach us, guide us, to strengthen our soul. Acceptance of our wounds transforms our suffering into life lessons. These lessons are metamorphosed into our stories. Stories are pondered and refined the more we suffer. Stories, eventually, lead to a recognition of a greater truth about us. Stories are shared to lessen suffering by helping others to learn from their wounds. We matter.
We are here for a reason. Stop wasting your time and energy attempting to find the empty rewards of power and pleasure in the maze of life before you. These corrupting forces only serve those who have fooled you into believing they are necessary and vital. Love your wounds. Share your stories. See meaning in your experiences, and I promise you will live a life that matters. A bear hug awaits you. Much love!
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This post is republished on Medium.
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