How dearly a price are you paying to live, work and play on a prescribed path? Are you even aware of the costs, and the uncomfortable truth that you’re sacrificing much more than you should?
These costs of linear living are like taxes. They’re levied against you for the alleged benefits of buying into the conventional plan. A comfortable, safe job but in a stagnant company with poor career prospects. A health quality that’s average enough to be tolerable but remains unsatisfying. An acceptable (but not remarkable) ability to do good, meaningful work.
The sacrifices one makes to these default options are significant. Most cognizant enough to see them fixate on the loss of independence, opportunity, and ability. All hefty taxes to be sure. But they’re not the immediate price we pay for staying the course but rather downstream costs flowing from it.
What is this most severe and fundamental of sacrifices?
Enlightenment.
Enlightenment fuels discovery. Discovery fosters understanding. Understanding reveals opportunities. Opportunities present choices. Choices grant independence. Independence empowers freedom. Freedom nurtures fulfillment.
Enlightenment is the first domino to fall. But when it’s taxed away from us, the resulting ripple effect necessary for growth and prosperity is muted or prevented completely. The bottom line is plain enough: without enlightenment there can be no opportunity to seize free will and fight for fulfillment.
That sounds serious. I believe it is. I believe that most stumble through the world as day-walkers: awake but not really seeing. The lightbulb hasn’t gone off, if you will. Sure, they may complain about this or that, which suggests that they have an intuition for the shortcomings they face. But complaining doesn’t get you very far.
Enlightenment does.
Pushing the boundaries of what you know leads to new doorways of insights and opportunities. There are many ways to push: formal education, mentorships, apprenticeships, grassroots networking, startup projects, and more. In all cases, the rhythm is to learn by doing.
You’ll never do unless you try. That bridge is one many never cross, to their own dismay. Go ahead, cross it. Put yourself out there. Soak in as much as you can. Rinse and repeat. Enlightenment isn’t a force bestowed. It’s captured through effort.
It’s no coincidence then that life-long learners seem to enjoy life the most. They’re never bored: always doing, moving, evolving, growing. Their example offers a conclusion: the best vintage of enlightenment is reserved for those that never stand still.
So go do something that will mature your knowledge and grant new wisdom. Read a thought-provoking new book. Have a substantive conversation with a friend about your life’s work. Ship an idea even if you’re afraid (especially if you’re afraid).
Pass ‘GO’ and never look back.
