Beyond Imitation

More Thoughts on Purpose (12)

Nov 09, 2022

HI FRIENDS

We are creatures of imitation.

When I first heard this insight from the philosopher Rene Girard, it seemed obvious, but still somehow revolutionary and exciting. He goes further, explaining that even our desires are imitated. From childhood, we learn what to pursue based on the examples around us; which we then use as models of what is worth desiring.

We want what we see others want.

“Desire usually is born out of the contemplation of someone else who is desiring.”
—Rene Girard

If this is true, it has profound implications for any discussion about purpose or vocation.

What if our ambitions reflect more about our culture than who we are really designed to be as individuals with unique potential?

Luke Burgis wrote a book on the work of Rene Girard called Wanting, where he tells of his journey reevaluating how he was spending his life. He describes his journey of searching out the true origin of his goals and reassessing them, with the aim of eventually finding something closer to a true vocation - what he was meant to do.

With this in mind, it seems vital that when we are searching for our purpose we must take care to do two things:

First, if we accept that our journey starts with imitation then we must choose carefully and consciously the right examples for us to imitate on a personal basis
And secondly, we must expect to transcend these models altogether

Because ultimately, when it comes to vocation, we cannot copy. We have to find our own unique path eventually. Listening to our own life with it’s unique circumstances and skills and interests.

A tall order maybe, and sometimes a bit daunting, but so rewarding too.

Godspeed,

T Mo

NEXT WEEK:
FEAR SETTING

A while back I had an exercise called Fear Setting by Tim Ferris recommended to me (thanks Hayley!). You can find out more in this TED talk here. Looks like a really interesting and empowering exercise 💪. More on this next week hopefully.

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