Tags
anticipating, destination, Diana Schwenk, happy, hungry, journey, passion, striving, vision
“We do not really feel grateful toward those who make our dreams come true; they ruin our dreams.” Eric Hoffer
I read a study once where scientists were experimenting with two groups of rats.
They fed one group as much food as they could eat. They fed the other group just enough so that they were always a bit hungry.
The first group became lazy and lethargic and suffered a whole onslaught of diseases associated with poor health choices.
The second group had more energy, were more productive and lived longer.
Maybe there’s something to always be a bit hungry…
in our careers
in our relationships
in our dreams.
It’s good to have a dream,
a destination
a vision
goals
ambitions.
But maybe it’s more about the journey
English: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” The „Adelaar“ near Bali. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The process of getting there
the striving
the passion
the fighting for.
When I get what I want, I’m happy.
But then inevitably
I begin to miss the dreaming,
the anticipating
the striving to get there.
What do you think?
Which is better…
…the journey or the destination?
Definitely the journey – sometimes I almost dread the destination because it means that the journey is over.
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I hear you on that one!
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Hello there,
I am very excited to let you know that I have nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award. I have included a brief explanation of what makes your blog so inspirational to me here:
http://nyparrot.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/you-think-you-know-me-but-you-dont-writing-a-blog-is-rewarding/
Thanks for inspiring me, and may inspiration be always present in abundance in your life!
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You are too kind! Thank you so much!
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🙂
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I think its always the journey because the ‘destination’ can be a moving target a lot of times if we never get satisfied.
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Interesting way of looking at it…thank you for sharing your thoughts… 🙂
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It’s always good idea to keep your eye on the prize, but enjoying the journey is definitely more important.
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Agreed!
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the journey is what is important, hopefully it is an ascent, not a descent.
celebrating destinations, just don’t stay there too long.
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haha just don’t stay there too long…I like it..well unless I’m vacationing somewhere tropical because I always want to stay longer!
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that is the one “it’s the destination” answer
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Lately I’ve been thinking how hunger—literally—is important. Most of us in the west are never going to starve, in fact we seem to face the opposite challenge of knowing when to stop eating.
Our desires left unchecked can ruin us but without them, what then? Without the hunger we can never fully appreciate the food: more hunger=more eventual satisfaction.
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Thank you for stopping by BG and for leaving your thoughtful comment. It’s like without sorrow we would never know joy….almost, right?
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And without joy…:)
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NICE! I completely agree. There’s a verse in scripture that says “He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.” -Prv 27:7. Not only that, but what do we do when we get full? we usually fall asleep, lol. at least I do. Hunger is what drives us to excel. If we take a look at successful people they have one something in common, they are never satisfied. They are always hungry if you will. Great post Diana 🙂
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Thank you for reading and for sharing your thoughts JC!
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You are very welcome, my pleasure 🙂
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Thanks for the wise post, I am going to stay half full or half hungry.
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Thank you for reading my post!
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a little bit of want is good, but a lot of need is bad 🙂
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Yes t’is true.
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🙂 we are so wise … lol
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Yeah I hesitate to apply that to myself as I will, as history has proven, fall flat on my face within minutes of doing so! But learning is also part of the journey…
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I know and falling can be fun if someone catches you
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yes, but if they don’t……
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you get bruised
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haha! True and I can handle that on my body, but my pride is a b*tch! 😉
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i know pride needs a slap
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LOL yupp!
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I absolutely agree!!
Great point there. With my depression, that part of my journey (when it was dark and cold) was such a challenge, yet, I found ways to *insert happiness here* to make that stretch of the journey manageable. However, I had to accept at times that happiness wasn’t coming at ALL!. I hear you on that point.
So, to me, the journey is the destination, because no matter where I am, Chicago, Honolulu, Montreal or in my living room, that is the destination. Where I am supposed to be, all other “goals” are set, but are in the future. They don’t exist.. at least that is what I am trying to tell myself in times of stress!!
Ha!!! *loving this convo.
🙂
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I love the conversations too! Oh what wonderous things people can learn from each other. I love different perspectives and how individual people can look at the exact same thing I’m looking at and see something else….perhaps that’s how we paint the bigger picture together? Have a wonderful day Kim!
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You too!! Happy Canada Day!
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Great post! I must say, I like both! The sense of accomplishment once you reach a destination is great, but you have a point – it is fleeting. But then I guess you just set your sights on aanother goal, further down the road!
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yes and that time in between that sometimes feels like wandering in the wilderness is probably good for me to, now that I reflect a bit more on it! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
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I agree with Louise G.,
If we wait to get somewhere, and it is an anti-climax, like jmgoyder says above, then whats the point? Right?
I think the journey is in choosing the present moment always. Like Sandra Bullock’s line in her movie, While You Were Sleeping, “life doesn’t always go as planned” so we reach and strive for our goal, YES I agree, however, the expectations of WHEN it is going to happen must be dropped.
We are exactly where we are supposed to be at this exact moment!
Love and light to you all!
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And love and light to you! I think it depends on the scale and the individual. Let me try to explain my thought here: If I am planning a tropical trip, the planning, the booking of the flight, the anticipation are exhilarating. The trip comes and I enjoy it immensely and then it’s over and I find myself let down in a way…until the next step of the journeya new chosen goal or direction. If we talk about the mother of all destinations…the aha moments or the final stop when our lives on earth are finished…both the journey and the destination are filled with joy. As for individuals, I am blessed to live the life I live and I find joy in the moments during my journey…but there are those who walk in darkness and dispair alone and afraid….and perhaps for them the journey is weary and difficult…(a journey that is not my experience and yet I empathize with) but they hope for the destination a place where all will be revealed and they can rest…for them the destination would outweigh the journey. We all have our own journey, each is unique and valueable, wouldn’t you agree?
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Great post Diana — and what a good question. If every destination is the journey — then the journey is the destination — and perhaps it is being conscious, present and aware of each step without being attached to the outcome, that makes the journey, and the destination, so important.
thinking….
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ahhh the journey being the destination – never thought of it that way…Thanks for stopping by Louise!
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The exact thoughts that inspired the first post I ever wrote. I’m still not sure, because the journey is pretty hard at the moment so I’d be glad to reach a destination sometime soon. But then am sure there will be somewhere else I need to get to after that, so it’s just the destination keeps on moving? Maybe it’s better that way, I learn much more on the move than standing still.
Thank you for your wonderful words yesterday, I really appreciate your kindness, it meant a lot.
Take care
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You’re welcome! I hope you reach a great destination soon and then refreshed and energized, head to the next one!
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I think you are right about having something to strive for, ambition, purpose. That is one of our most fundamental needs. Thanks for the post.
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As always, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
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I reckon the journey is a whole lot better than the destination! The journey can be full of hope and anticipation and excitement, so much so that the destination can be a bit of an anti-climax – ha!
Great post – thank you Diana!
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Yes, that’s been my experience for sure!
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Most definitely the journey! The process and experience of life while going towards something. The sailboat trip before we get to land can be amazing. Facing storms and waves, calm and heat, beauty and triumph! Wow love the journey.
Happiness can happen while on the journey.. right? If we wait to be happy when we reach the destination, we may have missed the whole point!
Thanks for this post.. LOVE IT!
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Thanks for reading it Kim and leaving such a thoughtful comment! Yes, I agree, there can be happiness along the way!
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