The ‘One Thing’ is a Myth

April 13th, 2012

Hmmm, let’s see I love my family, I love my dog, I love my cats, I love to fly in airplanes, I love roller coasters, I love fast moving objects, I love to write, I love slow and tranquil settings, I love the country, I love the mountains, I love the oceans, I love music, I loves trains, and none of them are the same except for that I love them all.

People always talk about the one passion. I always here people talk about the one thing they could be passionate about and everything else will make sense.

I don’t think that makes any sense.

Basically what the statement is doing is putting me in a corner and saying there is one thing I could do with all my heart and love it, and I have to spend my life searching for that one thing in order to be happy. Kind of makes it like feel like finding a needle in a haystack doesn’t it? And what are we miserable until we find it?

Why can’t I love many things? Why can’t I be passionate about many things? I like to see my life as a wide open blank canvas, and if there’s only one kind of painting that I can paint then that pretty much blocks out all of the other millions of possibilities.

If we spend our lives searching for one thing, then we might be searching our whole lives and coming up empty.

The search is easier than most people care to think. The thing is you’re only limited by your beliefs, and if you think you can only be passionate about one thing, then that’s what you’ll get.

Open your eyes! This is such a huge world; there is not just one thing. There is however one direction and we’re all called to move in that one direction, and that direction is towards the life that allows you to fall in love with everything you do. It’s not one thing that we’re looking for, but one direction in which we can move.

That one direction is love. If it’s not love, it’s not your direction, but there are many things and many doors of opportunity that you can prepare for; many things you can love.

We need to get past the idea that we’re limited by one thing before we can discover what’s possible for you right now.

You can start by just reaching out and helping someone; anyone; just because you can.

___________________________

Like what you’re seeing here? Click Here

Did you like this? Share it:

http://www.fatherofone.com/ Michael Wright

I’ve been guilty of this in the past. Even lately, looking for that one, great, magnificent passionate IDEA to move into Free Agency. I was looking for the “THING” instead of the “THREAD” of who I am – that direction you speak of. There are many things I love and walking in that direction will open up answers. Sometimes I think if we just Love and Serve, Rob, the answers will magically appear. Like trying to be Happy – it won’t happen if try to be happy. It is a by-product of doing the right things.
http://www.freeagentacademy.com Kevin Miller

Wisdom here brother! Thank you for putting it out here.
Anonymous

I hear you Michael, and I know you’re intentional about walking in the direction you love as your heart radiates all through your posts in what you share with us as a Dad and Husband. Keep doing that, because in that effort nothing about the real you can be contained forever. It’s all bubbling to the surface.
Anonymous

Thanks Kevin… I’m glad to. Here’s to a glorious world of people loving what they do and truly serving from their hearts.
http://www.fatherofone.com/ Michael Wright

Rob, I just saw the video this morning. Nicely done and adds a great touch to your posts!
http://www.threedimensionalvitality.com/ Ann J Musico

I agree – we can have varied passions and likes. God made too diverse and interesting a world not to! I like your clarifying – there is not one “thing” – but we hould have a clear direction. Video was great! You’re a natural!
http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

Love it, Rob! This is something I frequently talk with Claudia about. It’s so easy to get paralyzed by thinking that we need to figure out what our passion is and then stive to make that exactly be what our whole life is about. Ultimately, that’s what you want to work towards, but it takes a process. Just get started and more clarity will come as you go.
Anonymous

Thank you Ann… Really appreciate that! May we all find a way to love everything we do…
Anonymous

You said it well! “Just get started and more clarity will come as you go”… I definitely don’t want to miss out on all the things that could have been. Thanks Michael…
Anonymous

Really appreciate that Michael; The intent is all about driving that message home as best as I can from all corners of the mind and heart…
http://designercam.com/ Cam

Hi Rob,
Like usual, I agree with what you have said, but to push back and past the idea, I will say that everyone has many things they are passionate about, but in business, focus is needed. By picking ‘one thing’ to be excellent at; defining ‘one thing’ to be known for; intentionally creating ‘one way’ to stand apart from the crowd **at first** — and then sticking with it for 1-2 years to develop it, success is possible.

I completely agree that no-one’s life consists of only one area or one passion (we have the seven main areas on the wheel of life to help us balance), but if we try to do too many things with excellence, all the things we are passionate about end up competing for our time and we must choose at some point.

As an example, I am passionate about great quality sound (PA systems, music, audio, etc.), but I have tabled spending extra time in this passion to focus on developing my websites, a small group ministry at my church, and my speaking/video skills.

Picking one thing for me isn’t about squishing my other passions, but instead it is prioritizing where I want to direct my life.

~Cam
http://www.mancaveradio.com/ ManCaveRadio.com

Rob, great post! This is uncommon wisdom. Very helpful!
~ Jesse
Anonymous

Thanks Jesse! Really appreciate that. Uncommon wisdom invites much discussion as well as great change…
Anonymous

Cam, you nailed it! Thanks so much for that response. We need to first break down the barrier that says we’re limited by one thing, but once we decide on one thing to go after then it serves everyone well when we pour our focus and love into that venture. No matter where we head in, we have the opportunity to really pour our hearts into it. And that’s where it counts.

I know a lady with an adventurous spirit, and does things “just because”… She never tried clogging or was never introduced to it, but several years ago she decided to give it a shot “just because”. Today, she absolutely loves it, and pours her heart into clogging.
Yvonne

Well said! Thanks Rob.
Anonymous

Thanks so much Yvonne!