“To place before himself a great object and then shrink in the name of expediency from the expenditure and sacrifice called for its pursuit is not prudence but ineptitude.”
— Sri Aurobindo
We all have dreams. Learning to code, creating content on our passions, exploring the world, becoming entrepreneurs… but most of us will spend our entire lives without doing anything about them.
Why?
Because we’re frightened by the effort it will demand and the possibility of failure. So we exchange our artha (resources and capabilities) with the comfort of taking orders from others (also called “jobs”). And when our jobs turn mindless, we seek respite through YouTube, Tinder, or alcohol and drugs.
Thus, we engage in the two biggest sins of life: avoidable suffering and unfulfilled potential. Which is a shame!
You have more autonomy than you imagine. Don’t squander it in slavery. Pick up the goal that you aspire for but seems impossible today. Break it down into simpler sub-goals that stretch you but are achievable. Each step in this direction is one step towards discovering your potential and away from avoidable suffering.
How long am I supposed to do this, you ask? As long as it takes to reach your goal.