In Order of Progress

In order to progress ourselves, we must first know what we want. 

That statement may seem extremely simple and obvious. However, knowing what we want can sometimes be the least obvious thing. This is especially relevant in modern times when advertisement, marketing, social media, and online information so heavily ways on our psyche. We find ourselves stumbling across so many outlandish disciplines, mind altering perspectives, and progressive performance methods. All of which are marketed as the exact thing that you should be doing in order to improve and live your healthiest and happiest life, or your money back guaranteed. 

There are so many methods, practices, and disciplines that are offered as a panacea to the multitude of sufferings that face the human condition. Many of us find ourselves engaging in very outlandish practices for the purposes of “general improvement”, “being better” or because the marketing scheme influenced you into curious action. Practices range from deep pranayama breathing and ice bath dousing, to knees over toes squatting, and sunning the underside of your perineum. 

Needless to say there is TOO MUCH. Too many people speaking too many things informing you about too many topics. Now is the time more than ever to advocate for what you truly want. 

So… what do you want? 

Really though, what do you want? 

If you do not know what you want, it is imperative that you come to a conclusion. It is even more imperative that you come to this conclusion based on your very own thought process, desires, and deep intuition. Try your very best to listen to the deep desires of your self. Listen to the wants that cry out and cause your entire being to reply with a resounding “YES!”

This process of knowing your deepest want takes as long as it takes. Be patient in the times of unknowing and have faith in knowing that you will eventually have an answer.

If you do know what you want, then good.

This is your compass, your guide, and your decision-making-manager. 

Your deepest desire is the compass that will guide you on the path to your future. It will decide whether or not you accept that new job, transition from casual romance to serious commitment, or stay up late at night to hang out with your friends. 

So many of us are confused, we are stricken with different wants and desires as well as the guilty pull of various agreements and responsibilities we have made with ourselves and the world around us.

I am advocating for you to make yourself and your deepest desire to be your #1 priority. If your deepest desire is to be a great husband and father than all of your life decisions must revolve around you want to be the best father and husband. If your deepest desire is to be a professional athlete than all of your decisions actions and thoughts should move you forward towards making that dream a reality. If your deepest desire is to affect change in the world than all of your actions, decisions, and thoughts should be in support of that deep want. 

One of the easiest ways to fall trap to not knowing your deepest want is to fool yourself into thinking you know what you want. A fool will allow himself to be ignorant to his deepest desires by settling their minds on general, superficial, and non descriptive wants. These sound like this, “I just wan to be happy.” Or, “I just want to be rich.” Another jest is, “I want to make other people smile.”

These general non descriptive wants do not call forth then entire mind, body, and soul to shout with every fiber “YES!” Instead they assuage any need for further dialogue and examination into the soul. If you are unsure if your current Want is a self made fool’s trick or not, ask yourself the question “What for?” Or simply, “Why?”

Ask your entire self, “Self, what do I want more than anything?”

Allow yourself to speak an answer. 

Listen to the answer and then ask yourself, “Why?”

Allow yourself to respond. 

Again, ask yourself “Why?”

Allow yourself to respond. 

Pause for a moment after this practice.

Were you able to quickly answer the question of “Why?” with deep and meaningful answer that also contained “YES!” Energy?  Or did you answer the question with a dismissive attitude, begrudgingly answering only to provide yourself a “suitable and reasonable” answer. 

When we have a want that is connected to our mind, body, and soul when we ask the question “Why?” Or “What for.” The answers come fluidly, they hold the same connected and personal energy, and reaffirm to us why we want it so badly, so deeply. 

When we have a want that is a foolish trick upon ourselves, we become agitated and dismissive when we are asked the question “Why?”

The devil never likes prying. But heaven loves to be dreamed of. 

Whenever you find yourself in action and confusion and irritation arise stop and ask yourself, “What am I dong this for?” 

If the reason you are doing this action does not directly serve your highest desire it is imperative that you remove yourself from that action as quickly as possible and replace with an action of higher magnitude that serves your deepest desire. 

If you find yourself in a life routine and numbness and resistance arise inside of you, ask yourself “What am I doing these things for?” 

If the reason you are doing these things does not directly serve your highest desire it is imperative that you replace your routines with routines of a higher magnitude that directly serve your deepest desire.

This is not selfish. 

This is not irresponsible. 

This is not immature. 

In fact, this is the most responsible, selfless, and mature thing you can do.

You are only serving the world in as much as you can serve yourself. The world is not better because you belittle and compromise on your deepest desires so that others around you feel more comfortable. The world needs YOU, the real YOU. The realest the biggest version of you only shows up the moment you live in pursuit of your highest desire. 

(Hint: is there a twinkle in your eye?)

It is not irresponsible to pursue your highest desire ruthlessly. It is better to a live a difficult life in pursuit of your deepest desire than to “play it safe” and settle for a job with a decent salary and adequate retirement plan. If you have one chance to live it is deeply irresponsible to settle for a mediocre and compromised life. You have one shot, it is your responsibility to make the most out of this. 

(Hint: are you scared?)

It is not immature to pursue your deepest desire. Immaturity is not being able to recognize or acknowledge the deep wants of your mind, body, and soul. When someone is beside themselves, unsure of what they want, unable to even hear the inner voices of their soul, let alone express them outwardly, that is tremendous sign that a person is still immature in their emotional, mental, and spiritual development. A mature and versed individual who has understood the ebbs and flows of their emotions, the wanderings of their mind, and the deep musings of their heart know what they truly want. They can point it out in a crowd, they feel it on their worst day, and they dream of it when they sleep. 

Do not be fooled by your own self, or notions of responsibility, maturity, and rational thinking that seek to diminish, neglect, and tamper out any deep and true desire that seeks to liberate and propel you to new and grand places. 

While in pursuit of your deepest desire these conversations, opinions, and energies that seek to diminish and stamp out your deepest desire will come to your doorstep. Make no mistake about it. People will call you selfish, foolish, immature, and irresponsible. The world might do everything in its power to get you to stop following your own path and fall in line with the others. Recognize they are doing this only because as you pursue your highest calling and deepest desire it causes them to lash out because you are living courageously and fearlessly and they feel lesser than, attacked, and offended because you are acting and livening in a way that they may never allow themselves to experience. 

Stay true, know what you want, and take correct action towards it. 

You got this, 

Bam