Difficult Journey...

Believe it or not, life’s journey is really not a difficult one.  “Labor of love”, is there anyone who hasn’t heard that before?  Our passions and ambitions drive our actions and define who we are regardless of the personal costs.  Those challenges we face may require a lot from us (perseverance, dedication, compassion, some sweat), but we do them willingly and without a second thought.  We pursue those things that provide us a level of gratification and joy with little thought to the difficulty to achieve them.  And why is that?   Ownership…

So what do I mean by “own”? 

Committing yourself mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually to something, that’s ownership.  When driven by a passion, an ambition to achieve, the word “difficult” loses a lot of its luster.  Only those things that we don’t “own” can be looked upon as difficult.  When you’re tasked by someone to do something, those activities tend to be more difficult in our minds then when we’re off doing something purely for ourselves.  Hey, what kid enjoys mowing a lawn?  It’s not his lawn.  He might be getting paid to do it but it certainly isn’t something he wants to be doing. 

Ownership is connection…

Climbing that mountain may be physically and mentally challenging but that climber has an ownership to that challenge.  To the climber, ascending that mountain is one of many things that defines who he or she is.  They are compelled to take on that challenge because they are driven to do it.  To pursue that summit is an expression of one’s identity.  When you no longer feel that ownership, that connection to something, you lose the resolve to carry on.

If you don’t own that job, if you don’t own that relationship or personal goal, you’re doomed to failure, or at best, wallow in a life of mediocrity.  So, is life difficult?  You bet it is.  Everything is “difficult”, to some degree or another.  But what makes things difficult is how we perceive them.  If you’re truly passionate about something then what might seem like large obstacles to someone else will only appear to be small bumps in your road. 

So, what drives you?  What compels you?  What is your passion?