👣 Step 36: Why Are You Here?

I read The Cafe on the Edge of the World this past weekend (I implore everyone to read it. I'll even buy you your copy. I'm not kidding), and it's core purpose is stated in the subtitled: "A Story About the Meaning of Life"

While I'll leave the general story ambiguous so you can experience it yourself, I do want to focus on one of the three core questions discussed: "Why are you here?"

Read differently, to yourself: "Why am I here?"

It's a heavy question. Crazy how much weight just four words can hold. And a lot of people never ask themselves this - whether they're busy, they've never thought of it, or they're scared.

But it's important that you ask yourself this question.

All of our answers are different, because all of our lives are different. No two humans are the same. No DNA combination is the same nor combination of life experiences. Therefore, no one's answer is the same either.

And no one can find your answer except you.

The story refers to it as your Purpose for Existing (PFE) - the unique thing you are here to do.

It can be building a loving family. Pursuing the cure of a disease. Becoming a painter. Whatever it is that you're good at and that you truly love and desire, regardless of external influences and societal expectations.

What's very empowering about finding your PFE is that when you find it, money loses a lot of its hold over your life.

Think about it: if you're doing what you truly love, you're living a fulfilled life, whether you make a lot of money or not.

But if you're not doing what you love, money plays a huge role.

For those who make a lot of money but don't do what they love, they tend to use their money to fill the holes left by unfulfillment (consumerism). And for those not making a lot of money, even worse.

So simple lesson: find your PFE, and money isn't a big issue. Don't find your PFE, and money can be a huge issue.

And removing money out of the equation will make things so much more fulfilling.

There's a fantastic parable in here about a fisherman and a businessman.

A businessman comes across a fisherman in a small coastal village and asks why he's not catching more fish. The fisherman says he's already caught enough fish for the day to provide for his family, and he likes to relax and enjoy life.

The businessman suggests that the fisherman could work harder, catch more fish to sell them, and eventually build a large business and retire wealthy.

When the fisherman asks what he would do in his retirement, the businessman replies that he could relax and enjoy life.

The fisherman smiles and replies: “But that’s what I’m doing now.”

The fisherman found his PFE.

Why are you here?

See you next Thursday, Steppers.

We will succeed,

Grayson

​graysonstepanek.com​

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Song of the Week:

No Stars in Maybachs LUCKI, Rylo Rodriguez, Veeze PREVIEW   ​

Drake this, Drake that. Blah blah blah. Lucki dropped! 1. The way these three weave in and out on this song is hypnotic, and 2. It's got me listening to all of their albums back-to-back-to-back. Dr*gs R Bad is a solid project from Lucki (better than all 3 Drake dropped), and UR A VET! is another major highlight for me. This kind of rap isn't for everyone, but if it's for you, turn Tune upski!