Sometimes it can feel like life is filled with the burden of unfinished journeys or incomplete progress. Nevertheless, we have the responsibility of pushing forward and giving our best. The most difficult part of doing this is not finding the strength to continue forward, but rather, it is finding a reason. As young people, most of the troubles we face in life comes from the fact that we have not yet discovered a deeper meaning to the act of persevering. When we face adversity, we are encouraged to persevere. When we encounter obstacles, we are encouraged to find ways to overcome them. These words of encouragement are always comforting, but they are not empowering. The true source of strength comes from having a purpose for persevering and refusing to give up. This is not something that can be given through advice, but it is something we discover through introspection.
Having a purpose and valuing your purpose can be the difference between an abandoned goal and the achievement of success. However, the issue is that because young people are so new to the experience of life, they have not yet had a chance to discover their purpose.
For instance, imagine that you enter a maze with no idea what lies at the other end. As you walk through the maze, you encounter painful and exhausting obstacles. There are older, more experienced people around you who keep encouraging you to move forward. They promise that great things await. Yet, as you encounter more and more obstacles you begin to wonder whether there is any point in putting yourself through these trials when you have no idea whether the result will be worth it. Eventually, you will be compelled to stop trying to move forward as this might at least save you from the pain of fighting never-ending obstacles.
We are young people in the maze of life, and we have not yet gotten a chance to peek at the ‘great things’ that await us. So, for many of us, giving up to get a break from relentless obstacles may seem like a logical choice. However, it is at times like these when we need to push ourselves to introspect. Look around at where you are in life. If you are comfortable and satisfied with remaining there for the rest of your life, then it is true that you need not push yourself anymore. But, if you feel as if you need to be at a better place, then make that feeling your purpose.
Look back at all the things you have survived, all the games you have won. If you are still standing, then it is a sure sign that you will rip through any obstacle that you may face in the future. With a purpose to empower you, you may find yourself capable of even changing the world.