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The journey to discovering our purpose and following our passion is a long and winding road, but when we finally muster the boldness to take the helm of our own life, we soon realise that it’s only the beginning.

The real test lies in charting our own course, learning to make decisions for ourselves, and figuring out the direction we want to take. It’s a daunting task but it’s one that yields rewards beyond the material - a sense of purpose, fulfilment and lasting legacy.

In our earlier years, we go through life under the shield of our parents and teachers. Constantly told what to do and where to go, we grow up with a veiled perception of the world, tethered by guidance that gives us a false sense of freedom and control.

This tether, though well-intended, leads us to believe that we’re making our own choices and creating a sense of freedom and control when, in reality, we’re merely following a predetermined path - our autonomy an illusion, and our decisions a mere echo of someone else’s influence.

We go through the schooling system, shaped to fit through a default template. Spit out on our own to continue along the production line, we build our “careers” and produce for a purpose that isn’t truly ours.

Over time, we begin to feel a growing sense of discomfort and disillusionment. It is only after a few years of living someone else’s dream that the veil starts to lift and we begin to see things clearly for ourselves. Slowly, we realise that there’s actually more in this world that’s available to us than we were led to believe. And for a small few that didn’t ignore this hunch, they explore the possibilities and expand their horizons.

But when we decide to take the helm of our own lives, we are faced with a new reality - we have much to learn to be able to stand on our own two feet.

This transition carries significant hurdles. It requires dismantling long-held beliefs, reshaping our identity to align with our aspirations, and assuming all the risks and consequences of our own choices. However, we must learn to embrace this and be willing to take full responsibility. This is the point where most people decide to turn back and abandon their journey of growth and self-discovery, opting for the comfort of familiarity over the uncertainty of progress.

As we navigate the uncharted waters of our own making, we’ll encounter setbacks and failures. We’ll face moments of doubt and uncertainty, and we’ll question our ability to chart our own course. But, it’s in these moments that we learn about ourselves, and discover our strength and resilience.

To be able to chart a course at all, we must know where we want to go. And to fuel our journey, we must know our reason why. What drives us? What do we stand for? What do we want to achieve? These are simple questions that help ascertain our values and aspirations - our true north.

Once we have a clear vision of our true north, we can use this as a compass to guide our decisions. A framework that helps us evaluate opportunities, make tough choices, and stay on course towards our desired outcome. This is what keeps us in check when life’s temptations pull us off track, and serves as an anchor that grounds us to our newfound beliefs, ensuring we stay true to our purpose.

Though, this is only the beginning of an ongoing voyage. The seas will remain turbulent, and challenges will keep coming our way. We must embrace uncertainty and be willing to adapt and evolve. In the end, taking the helm was never going to be easy and we must learn to get comfortable with discomfort.

It’s in this journey that we find out why we were born, and it’s only in this journey that we truly begin to live.

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Live yours truly,

Clark