Guest Post: Passionate Pursuit of Failure

Recently one of our readers wrote an essay paper for her University Anthropology class about being inspired by the Social Dynamics Movement. This woman is one, now, driven to be more than mediocre. Amanda Timmins brings her creative energy to Kingpin Lifestyle as a tribute to her growth. Listen to Amanda’s voice as she encourages you to pursue the lifestyle you’ve always wanted to live.

Enter Amanda…

John Lennon once said, “When I was 5 years old, my Mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life”. I had hoped that after all of the thought I’ve put into that simple quote that I would have something inspirational to say following it. However, I quit my job yesterday and just haven’t felt the same since. Due to the indifference that has fallen over me, I cannot persuade myself to put words onto a page, especially when I cannot convince myself of the importance buried within those words. And if I cannot convince myself, how in the world am I supposed to convince you?

I mentioned I quit my job. It made me miserable, so I felt it was a good decision at the time. Since then though, I’m not entirely certain of anything. I’ve been reading a lot lately, something to bide my time with. A friend of mine is a writer for an incredibly motivating company that specializes in relationship building, whatever that means. Their whole philosophy revolves around the betterment of the self. I used to choke on the inescapable repulsion I felt every time I saw mushy disgusting quotes that were dripping with self improvement pop up on my newsfeed. Then I read an article, and another, followed by another. As it turns out they were actually pretty good. In his articles, my friend discusses his mentality towards life events, relationship experience and how much his life has changed since he began pursuing and actively participating in writing – his biggest passion. However, it was in one article specifically that caught my attention and really struck home with me. In the article “The Psychology of Winning” he said, “My ‘Always-Win’ mentality is – in other words – a ‘Scared-Of-Losing’ mentality”. Wow. Here is my high school friend giving advice and insights without even realizing the impact they have on others. Better yet, he wasn’t doing it for the money but because he truly loves what he does. Impressive to see a woman-eating-bartender become so philosophically stimulating. Even more nerve racking is the implication that had in my life. Here I was, sitting in my pyjamas, moping about my frustrations while eating my feelings. How inspirational.

Here’s where the story gets interesting. I got off the couch – NO WAY! I realized that sometimes in life, there are things worth pursuing, but it wasn’t going to happen sitting on my couch watching reruns of television shows I don’t even like. Wait, back up a bit. I missed the best part. After smothering myself in ice cream and motivational articles, I went to a party. Not just any party: I attended an event hosted by my inspirational friend and his merry band of encouragers. A mutual friend was performing and we all turned up to show support. I learned a lot that night, which was unusual given the circumstance. I conversed with some of these people who turned out to be surprisingly ordinary – just a bunch of guys who want to make a difference. I took a particular interest in the performer – an up and coming hip hop artist and entrepreneur who goes by D-Fect. To sum it up in a simple phrase, he is spectacular! Originally, I would have meant that strictly due to his musical talents, but, things change, as they say.

D-Fect kindly took the time to enlighten me, and such a bright light it was. Through personal communications, I learned that one’s purpose in life cannot be for monetary gain. If you love what you do and are dedicated to it, the money comes. “I think the biggest reason I do what I love is for quality of life. I believe the way you do something is the way you do everything. If you settle for a job just for the money, then you settle for everything in your life, which is flawed. I feel because I didn’t settle for anything but what I love to do, then I found myself not settling for anything. Music, relationships, even the food I ate. I considered my time very valuable because I was doing what I love to do”.

My knowledge and my life completely changed at the moment. Everything I’d read as of late came together in an incredible bout of clarity. I had been going about this – life – in the completely wrong state of mind. Up to and until that point, I had thought that there were certain obstacles in life that are insurmountable at particular times. The thought process had always been that one’s mentality dictates one’s life, not the other way around. Now here it was being thrown at me that people do not have to settle for whatever menial existence life allows them simply because it is easy. If one has the will to fight, one can achieve… anything. What a concept! But hang on one second. It can’t be that simple, can it?

The resounding reply was “Of course not”. D-Fect continued to shed some light on the issue of struggles. Ranging from internal and external personal conflicts to the plausibility and practicality of pursuing a passion, I learned that there will always be obstacles. However, that is not to say that mountains cannot be climbed. Sometimes it is the scrapes and bruises that we have to show for our most prized experiences. Scars, whether metaphorical or literal, provide a roadmap of the life that we have led as individuals, and it is not without injury that we escape our lively journeys. Everyone encounters problems, has the not-so-occasional wrench thrown into their plan. It is, of course, not the obstacle itself that we face that determines our strength, but it is how we choose to face and resolve these issues that dictates our characters.

Overall, quitting my job was the best decision I could have made, for I have grown so much simply by acquiring a new perspective. I realized that we are the product of our choices and that the only person in the entire world capable of derailing or creating our lives the way we want is, in point of fact, ourselves. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t just want to see where life takes me; I want to see where I take life. It doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about or for how long that enthusiasm persists so long as each and every person incorporates his or her passion into daily life. Although pursuing activities of enjoyment can be frustrating, stressful and, emotionally destabilizing at times, the resulting happiness far outweighs the struggle. After all, it is what we have to work for that we appreciate the most in life. They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. I say make the effort: pursue your goals, passions and dreams. Find the motivation, the inspiration and the ambition to achieve the lifestyle your heart desires. What’s the worst that could happen? You could fail, thereby obtaining more experience-related cuts and bruises and knowing what to do better next time. On the other hand, who knows; one day those long-lost aspirations could become your reality.