What drives a human to the great heights it is capable of, often differs in its root. The thought process behind the expedition, colors the experience there, and even at the final destination. The more powerful one’s reasoning is behind a course of action, the more likely one is to persevere through the journey.
In today’s entrepreneurial culture, we often hear the words hustle mentality and the need to be hungry. If you’re hungry, only then will you succeed. The burning desire within your soul is what keeps you single-mindedly focused towards your target.
An interesting point to note, is that if you aren’t hungry, you also aren’t necessarily lazy. There are further options to choose from rather than simply jumping to the opposite. One of the other drivers towards achievement is purpose.
The end result between hunger and purpose may well materially coincide, but it is not always the case. Regardless of the final destination, the experience of purpose is often richer, both in pursuit and upon completion.
Living purposefully adds a layer of joy to your experience. Every action you take is in alignment with your reason to exist; so regardless of the outcome, it brings a level of satisfaction.
Examine this in your own life. Doing something that takes you towards a goal, but away from your beliefs and purpose, will feel empty. It will prick you, even if it’s not obvious on the surface, and in many ways will leave a residual impact like trauma does.
Our natural state in this human experiment is to be true to ourselves, and our bodies send us messages of discord when we are not. They also send messages of contentment when we walk a path that resonates.
Living purposefully; daily, you are rewarded for small achievements toward your target. You are not simply waiting to receive a trophy that may or may not come at the finish line.
You are driven to achieve that which you have set out to do in this world, that which you were born to do, yet it is not from a space of lack. It is from a space of understanding, value and presence that you leap forward towards your set goal.
It is no less rigorous of a climb than for one who is hungry, but the felt experience largely differs. You have goals and targets; yet less attention is paid toward their achievement, and more is payed toward the alignment of consistent and intelligent effort.
In the case that you don’t meet your target; one situation will leave you feeling disappointed. The other situation will still leave you fulfilled, as every day was done correctly.
Purpose offers joy, while hunger offers a layer of anxiety and pain. In the first you grow daily to become your ideal. In the second, you struggle daily as you become it.
In the former you are a witness to the larger picture, and if you so believe, connection with source energy fuels higher insight, creativity and achievement. In the latter, regardless of if you hold faith, your ambition is unlinked from it and focuses on an understanding of only a superficial self.
Purpose is open to the possibility of pivoting, as different specifics satisfy it. You exist with a sense of peace, where you can change tactic or course as the need may arise. You will still reach the height you chose, as every step is offered your best effort.
Hunger, on the other hand, is one track minded and keeps you married to a path. It is adrenaline fueled and dogged. It is aggressive, determined and a train. There is nothing that can come in your way, as you reach your destination.
A person is often unaware of the deeper reasons, and purpose, behind why they chose this path at all. Upon arrival, hunger can still leave them further hungry. With purpose, from inception, they are full and laden with contentment.
Alignment with purpose will always guarantee your satisfaction, but hunger cannot make that claim. The trauma or impetus that birthed hunger, wasn’t designed to drive you, but rather to allow you grander vantage and understanding.
It may provide context for your journey, but it is not that which moves you forward. Clear of your trauma, dwelling in a natural state, connected to your own energy; that superior drive, purpose, then isn’t chosen, it is simply evident.
~Frumi
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