Issue No. 35

Pursue what excites you. No, I don't mean something that merely pleases you. Although sometimes, what excites us can bring pleasure, it's not the same thing. Pleasure is often momentary and tends to take away something from us, replacing the natural urge to persevere for a deeper, more challenging, yet rewarding experience. For example, indulging in junk food may provide momentary pleasure due to its taste and immediate satisfaction, but it often compromises our long-term health and well-being, substituting the natural urge for nutritious and balanced meals. Procrastination is easy; working towards your dream is hard. And as humans, we have a natural tendency to pursue the easy path. This is the curse of life and what separates the successful from the mediocre.

A prime example is parenthood. Logically, it may not make sense to take on the burden of another human's existence. When you become a parent, you have to give up many things — going out, traveling, materialistic desires. You eventually spend less on yourself, take less care of yourself, and sometimes you even abandon your career. Logically, it might not make sense to suffer for someone who could potentially grow to resent you.

Parents do this because they see their children as their purpose in life. They want to pass on the gift of life as they gradually age. The excitement for them lies in giving what they may not have received. To see another human created out of their own form to flourish and live and dream. They see their children as their reincarnation, their second coming to the world and they’d do anything to make living right this time in the form of parental care. This is a sacrifice they willingly make. This is why parents are happier, even more excited than you are, when you succeed.

You don't have to be a parent to experience this. What you need to do is find what excites you. Personally, I have several things that excite me. One is reading. The thrill comes when I finish a book because I can now explore another. The search for a new book excites me because I have the freedom to delve into new genres or categories. “What interesting book and new knowledge or wisdom can I gather this time?”, I’d ruminate every time. Writing newsletter essays like this excites me because, in a year or two, I can compile them into a book — my second one. Silent Contemplations being the first. Comparing my current writing to the past reveals how much I've improved, and how my thought process has matured. It's a testament to my existence that my future children can read about. It's not for nothing; it has a purpose, and developing it excites me. I also enjoy building things. After my main job, I delve into programming and no-code tools to experiment and build my startup. I dream of being the CEO of my own company one day, inspired by my current mentor, who is the CEO of the company I work for. Singing is another passion. I've spent the last two years honing my skills, recently performing for the first time in a bar in Seoul. I made mistakes, but it was an improvement and a result of my practice. Later this year or early next year, I plan to perform in the streets.

My job, my future, my hobbies, my books, my letters — these are the things that excite me. They are simple but not easy. My job requires time and a certain level of intellect. Perfecting my voice and being comfortable performing in public takes several frustrating attempts. It takes me two weeks to read a book and a year or so to complete and publish one. If I weren't interested in them, I wouldn't pursue them. But they excite me, helping me forget the suffering between me and the end result. That suffering turned into a requirement that I know I would look back to.

Have you ever seen a successful person be proud of how easy their life was? All the inspirational personalities you've heard of have spoken about the suffering they had to endure, as a successful life gains meaning only when suffering becomes the bridge to it. A successful person who has not suffered is never admired. It is not success then that we respect but pain endured with courage. What is purposeful and exciting is often accompanied by pain.

So, go find what excites you. Take a moment to ponder it. Identify that one thing or those few things that, when you think of them, transport you back to your childlike enthusiasm. Your excitement soars and your creativity reaches its peak. Bring those things closer to your life, nurture them. If they evolve into your career, consider yourself fortunate. However, they don't necessarily have to. They can be the refuge you turn to after a long day of work, the spark that ignites your passion amidst routine. Whether it's a hobby, a side project, or a simple yet profound joy, integrating these sources of excitement into your life is key. Go live an exciting life!