Desire: A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
We all struggle with the definition of desire whether you want to admit it or not. We want something but we tend to quit when life becomes hard. Why do we get the feeling that the thought of "impossible" is keeping us from obtaining that something? We have a short period of time on this earth but yet sometimes we can't seem to bring ourselves to believe we can be the person we want. Our thoughts tend to limit our abilities to act on opportunities because we are scared to fail - at least you tried but don’t give up just yet. The reality is we will continue to fail until the day we finally leave this world. I can tell you from my experience but what about your experience? How have you failed? Life is but a beautiful sunrise that will eventually set so why not chase the desires in your heart while you have the chance?
When I think about being 23 years old, I like to reflect on how far I've come to this very point. When I imagine that I am a quarter of the way done with the life I was given, it seems to put my experiences into perspective. Everyone has a burning passion to be something - and someone that hopefully will make a difference in this world. We don't know what that "something" is in which we will make that difference but from my experience, you will be put there if you haven't yet.
I don't say that to mean I have made it nor that I know exactly what it is I will accomplish, because I don't. I say that with the intent that you will slowly begin to find it, just as I am each day I get up out of bed. I am a full believer that desire is driven by faith. We may not know in every moment when life will throw us a curve ball but how you handle those situations can determine great satisfaction in your abilities to further your journey. There is a dream we all have but it may not be as visible as you wish it was just yet, though.
Take a look back 5 years and think about your accomplishments. How did you get to where you are now? What trials did you go through that challenged your mindset so you could better handle the outcome? In everyone's immediate lives, we think, how can we get to tomorrow without feeling hopeless and discouraged to keep pushing forward?
There is no definite answer. I can't tell you how, but we have the ability to figure out the answer ourselves. Through your experiences, hardships, and everyday life, you can answer the question of "how?" I can tell you countless times that I felt there was no way. I can tell you that I'm only 23 and have thousands of more lessons to learn - BUT, I use those experiences to better understand how far I've come. They become learning experiences that end up changing my perspective for the better. I have an idea of where I see my life and so do you. How do you focus in on the direction?
What desires do you chase after? Really take a minute to ask yourself where you see yourself. In a time where outside perspectives conform us to a bubble, it has been real to my life that thoughts seem to guide my actions. I'm sure you have experienced the same but do you recognize it? Do you recognize when thoughts distract you from the desires of your heart to be the person you vision yourself to be in the world? I can tell you I didn't for a long time and still struggle with it today. Ultimately this life is all about YOU and the positive impact you want to have. The distractions we face on a daily basis keep us programmed to not think about ourselves in the way our minds were designed to.
The feeling when we don't get the number of "likes" we thought we would is distracting us from the real potential and purpose of our individuality. The instant gratification is having the opposite effect on the desires we strive for as a person. We are all people who in nature want to be accepted but if you're not willing to accept yourself, how will you continue to chase the dreams you were just thinking about in the previous paragraph if other's opinions are affecting your self-worth?
As human beings, we need to keep in mind that even though we keep waking up in the morning, it doesn't mean we are chasing after what it is that we know we can accomplish - but tomorrow is never promised so live each day knowing you are taking another step towards your dreams. Sit down and think about what it is you want out of life and fight to obtain it, but also keep in mind that it will not be easy. You will face obstacles. You will fail many times before you get to where you want to go. How you deal with that failure determines the will power you have to reach for the stars.
I'm not a genius or a miracle worker. Again, I'm 23 with a degree in media arts and am far from any Aristotle or Gandhi. I use my perspective and experiences to draw inspiration. That inspiration is gained from reading and continually searching for answers to questions that will hopefully push me in the direction that will help me obtain the desires out of the life I want to live. You can do the exact same thing. You can be the person you see in your mind because no matter how hard life can be, there is an innate motive in each and every one of us that is trying to be revealed. There is a reason we have a Thomas Edison, an Albert Einstein, and a Bill Gates. Each of them channeled the goals in their hearts and didn't stop reaching for them until they achieved it.
If your mind is focused on what YOU desire in this crazy game we call life, YOU can accomplish those goals you set for yourself. You have every resource you need and the most important one is your mind. There is nothing in this life that you can't obtain when your thoughts stay focused on the desires burning inside of you. Be the version of yourself in your heart for a greater purpose to make that positive difference in yours, and someone else's life.
"Our only limitations are those we set up in our own mind." - Napoleon Hill
