In a recent informational interview, I was advised to clarify the “why” supporting my application. My interviewee said, “if you convince us why you want to join our program, we’ll say why not.”
This advice was significant to me not only because it helped me narrow my focus and improve my application but because it prompted me to identify the “why not” areas of my life. What convictions am I willing to fight for? What ideas inspire who I am? What devotions thrust my path forward?
Sometimes I don’t think it’s sufficient to ask questions like, “What are you passionate about?”
You can have many passions that do not necessarily frame your life.
Even so, life is too short to be lived without passion.
I like to build relationships. In fact, I think building relationships and connecting with others is one of the fundamental reasons for our existence. In creating relationships, we can begin to understand the heart of our Heavenly Father.
I’ve had the chance to meet so many individuals from various geographical locations globally and many cultures. I’ve connected with people of all ages, professions, and religious affiliations.
I think my brain is wired to understand people.
I often experience moments where my heart channels such a high degree of empathy that I can understand exactly how someone feels without ever having experienced their situation. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it’s heavy, but it’s always beautiful to meet people where they are.
One of the fundamental ideas that frame my life is that I believe all people are born for greatness and that every person holds within them a treasure the world needs that only they can offer. However, sometimes a person is born into an environment with variables that subdue their ability to manifest the “treasure” within them.
In other words, there are internal variables (like depression, anxiety, fear, anger, insecurity) and external ones (like location, family, finances, violence) that hinder our ability to accomplish our life’s purpose, dreams, destiny, or goals.
Over the years, I’ve realized how fortunate I am to be part of a loving family that has instilled a Godly identity in me. My parents bless and encourage me every day. I’ve been given so much love, health, and support that it would be a waste of my potential to not share it with others. Out of the overflow of the goodness poured into me, I can share it with others.
Everywhere I go, I notice that every person desires to be desired. Everyone wants to be accepted and recognized by others. I’ve seen grown men break down and cry from the desperation of not finding their place or feelings of inadequacy. I have friends who subjected themselves to eating disorders because they felt they would not be accepted as they are. Every day, I see people—including myself— compromise who they are to become what they think others find desirable.
Misunderstanding our true identity is the root of feeling not good enough or living in a constant search for acceptance.
In knowing and developing my own identity, I found my personal “why.” I’ve made it my goal to uncover the greatness I see in people. I want each person to know that they are loved and worthy, simply by virtue of being human, a child of God created with a purpose. I see myself as an agent who is able to lead people through and out of the hindrances preventing their full potential from breaking through.
I’ve decided to bring this posture to all of my relationships. The more secure we are in our identities, the more we’ll know the path our feet must walk. We find direction in knowing who we are and where our strengths lie.
I encourage everyone to find their why, whether it’s big or small. Why do you want that job, and why you get up every morning? Find what drives your life and eliminate all insecurities that stand in the way of reaching your full potential.