{"id":125152,"date":"2019-01-13T12:55:59","date_gmt":"2019-01-13T20:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=125152"},"modified":"2019-01-13T12:56:07","modified_gmt":"2019-01-13T20:56:07","slug":"what-do-you-truly-desire-to-do-or-achieve-in-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/13\/what-do-you-truly-desire-to-do-or-achieve-in-life\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do You Truly Desire to Do or Achieve in Life?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is it you truly<\/em> desire in life?<\/p>


<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is your ‘causa finalis’?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There is this notion in Latin called ‘causa finalis’– the notion of a “final cause” (or your end-game).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what I realized about lifestyle<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lifestyle is a MEANS<\/em> or a BRIDGE<\/em> in order to do something else we truly desire to do.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What is your end-game?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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For example, ‘location independence<\/a>‘, living like a ‘digital nomad<\/a>‘, being ‘financially independent<\/a>‘ aren’t ends in themselves. These are all just a MEANS in order to achieve or do something we truly want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means, do the thought experiment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if you had $1 trillion dollars in the bank, no obligations, all the newest Apple devices, tools, toys, etc — then what would you do with your time and life? What would you desire to do, create, or make?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

True desires<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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I cannot speak for you, but my true desires are active– to DO something. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. I desire to think more, come up with more epic ideas, and to blog and share these ideas with others.<\/li>
  2. I desire to have energy, power, and vigor so I can pursue this ideal with 100% of my efforts without feeling exhaustion.<\/li>
  3. I desire to make an impact in the world: To empower others. To create turbo thoughts that can inspire, motivate, or encourage other people.<\/li>
  4. I desire to make more artwork (photos, writings, poetry, videos, etc).<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    You determine your own true values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    The great thing in life is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Only you can determine your own true values in life. You cannot let anyone else determine your true desires or values in life.<\/p>

    <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    Once you determine what your true desires and values are in life, then you can work backwards (start from the end-game, and work backwards), in order to discover the MEANS to achieve your desires!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Desires are action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Another thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When it comes to ‘desires’; it isn’t just stuff we desire to buy or purchase.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Desires are things we DESIRE TO DO! Desire is active; it is a verb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So as a general idea:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Disregard the things you desire to purchase, procure, or obtain in life. These things we desire to obtain won’t make a meaningful impact on our own personal happiness<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    Independent desires<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    To me, an ‘independent desire’ is something you can achieve or do WITHOUT the dependence on other human beings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, one of my desires is to deadlift<\/a> 500 pounds. I am not dependent on others to achieve my goal. I am 100% dependent on myself — my personal effort, how often I practice\/train, and the risks I am taking to push my personal limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However let me say my desire was to put $1 trillion dollars in the bank. Theoretically it is possible, but if I wanted to put $1 trillion dollars in the bank, I would be dependent on other human beings to give me the money. Thus, I am dependent on others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Independent photography<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    This is what I love about photography:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You aren’t dependent on others to make photos.<\/p>

    <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    However what are we dependent on? If you desire to get a bunch of likes<\/a> and followers<\/a>, then you are dependent on the approval of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Therefore it seems the logical conclusion is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Focus on making photos to please yourself; don’t seek to make photos to impress others.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    And this is our rule: If you like the photo, then it is a good photo!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n