Finding Purpose Part 2

In a discussion I had with a friend, he mentioned we have two sides – the side the public sees, and the dark side that only we ourselves see. In my opnion, this dark side is the side that you are afraid to let anyone know about, that you want to hold captive so as to remain socially viable.

 

To be socially viable, we are basically saying this – “I want to be accepted, and I am less of a person if I am not accepted”. Then again, there are two types of people who are like this – those who are willing to flout society’s rules because they don’t really care about what other people think, and those who are willing to flout the rules because they really don’t care about what other people think.

 

There’s a subtle difference. Those who don’t really care have an inkling of a desire to want to gain attention. They do care – it’s just that they decide to put up a strong front. Comparatively, there are people who really don’t care, and it doesn’t bother them either way.

 

With the concept of social viability, you have to often ask yourself this question: do I do what I do because I want to be accepted? So I am nice to or mean to people? Is that why I do what I do?

 

Well, the dark side is enticing. From a purpose point of view, the dark side is the side that engages you in instant gratification – some are vices like gambling and drug abuse. But this path is not the kind that you see in Star Wars. It is a path that is often chosen because there is no alternative. People choose what they choose because it is the best alternative for them at that time.

 

So are you in the dark side? As the saying goes, “If you find yourself in the shadow, turn and face the light.” There is no shadow without light, and by casting light, we cannot do without shadows.

 

Focusing on purposeful things is probably one of the most significant events in anyone’s life. If you sat down one day and just thought about all the events in your life that have past, those that you spent a tremendous effort and energy doing were usually the things that were either deeply satisfying or deeply disappointing. But either case, you grew, and when you grow, you learn.

 

I’ve experienced a couple of cases where I think I was “on trial”. But whatever the case, I think I made it, and made it really well out of the shadow and into the light. But that’s for another post…

 

Visit www.stuarttan.com today!