I have always believed that all of us are capable of knowing the higher purpose of life. There’s nothing mysterious about it. Probably, it has been the refusal of societies, like the Gull Brotherhood in Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Bach, to accept the new learning that has kept us away from that feeling of freedom for so long.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull: Part 1
For some, their work is a means to survive. For others, like Jonathan the seagull, means become the ends, as they defy societal laws in search of a higher purpose, doing what they love. As they follow their dreams, they make the most of their lives.
Societies define what we need to learn, successfully limiting the growth of many like Jonathan the seagull. We forget that what we need to learn isn’t all we are capable of learning. Those who defy the norms are extraordinary. However, in popular opinion (including their families), they are abnormal. Experimenting, viewed as a deviation from conventions, is condemned. But, those who are born to know, like Jonathan Livington Seagull, do not bother about condemnation. They don’t see a point in following something because it has been laid down as the safe and sufficient way. While following a tested route keeps happy the community they belong to, they would be distancing themselves from happiness by following it as challenges are absent on this path.
Discovery is possible only on the way that has not been tried. Of course, mistakes will happen. But, choosing the conventional way does not kill fear. It proves that fear exists. The only way to overcome fear is to learn, and learning comes through failure. The first step towards excellence is dealing with ignorance. Those like Jonathan Livington Seagull, who dared to fail, learn to control fear. They experience power. And, power gives joy. They gain the knowledge of a higher purpose of life.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull: Part 2 and 3
Power does not give you joy. It is just a means to an end. Power can help you experience speed ‘as in the case of Johnathan Livingston Seagull’ and other things that can give you a sense of exhilaration, not joy.
It is not a management philosophy or a new age mantra for life. It is about the age old problems of life, ‘Fear, anger/ignorance and boredom is why a gull’s life is so short.’
It is also about how absolutely lonely you can get on a personal quest until the only option is to see ‘yourself’ in another rule-breaker and reach out a helping hand.
Finally, “what we need to learn isn’t all we are capable of learning” is a very fishy statement. Care to explain?
I am not sure why you see “what we need to learn isn’t all we are capable of learning” as a fishy statement. It is purely differentiating necessity and scope.