"Pronoia" is understood as the suspicion the Universe is conspiring to help you -- opposite of paranoid. It is not a philosophy, or an easy way to oversee the reality of a situation for a fantasy based on denial. You do not need to believe in it as some sort of mantra. It is simply a strategy that can be utilized by a person for positive, sustainable self-development, professionally and personally. By approaching events and experiences as specific situations needed for growth and progress, Pronoia serves as a constructive tactic to help fuel passion within an individual.
I utilize Pronoia by seeing the obstacle for what it is and using it as rich soil to fire my passion.
And passion. It is so incredibly beautiful. It is a level of compelling enthusiasm and vulnerability, and at the root of it all, is an indescribable emotion at your core, for someone, something or both. There is love, there is struggle, there is pain. It is not a hobby or a dream. When you find yourself at a level of obsession, invested in bringing your thoughts into reality, that is passion. This spiritual energy stimulates innovation and attraction, representing a raw form of positive influence. No one has told you what to love; it is the deepest, most honest part of yourself.
Dealing with life's difficulties head-on has dramatically changed how I maintain my energy in living passionately and accomplishing goals. For example, film, television and writing have been the heart of my professional life because I love stories. Fiction, non-fiction, I love it all. Being able to connect with friends and strangers, whether behind a movie or television set or through writing, is what rejuvenates me to keep going. Knowing that my passion could potentially help others or make a difference in someone's life keeps me inspired. My appetite never ends. But take note: In order to keep my passion powerful, I had to be willing to accept the costs. Recurring failures, long hours, frustration and being left heart-broken are a few brutal truths in living passionately. Things have not always worked out the way I wanted them too, so the way I chose to react to these realities ultimately defined my outcome.
See the obstacle for what it is and use it as rich soil to fire your passion.
Whether you have an "appetite" or you are still searching for it, it is easy to become complacent to the comfortable, and pursuing a purpose without much passion is dangerous for your soul. So, what are some ways you can keep yourself inspired, hungry, and powerful?
1. Refer to your core values
Identifying and understanding your values is an important exercise that you should reflect on habitually. It helps your character stay proactive. You must understand the principles and life experiences that have brought light to why you view the world a certain way. Values are a central part to who you are, and who you want to be, so becoming aware of these ethics will help you gain a deeper understanding of how to integrate them around your passion. There is an extraordinary amount of power that comes from discovering and embracing one's values, which simultaneously builds a solid foundation of confidence when it comes to decision-making. Whether it is for your personal or professional life, defining your values allows your actions to stay congruent with who you are at your core. This is the most reliable navigation system in your life.
2. Align your values & passions
Many of us have been passionate towards our work, relationships, or even the world. So what do you do when you find yourself disconnected? The key is to look not just at what it is that you want, but how and why you want it. This is when your values determine how effectively you pursue your passion. Doing so encourages commitment on a higher level, and the more meaningful your purpose is, the more passion is released. You are usually motivated to change the situation better than it was left, so recognizing the adversity of the situation, as a positive force, should drive your purpose (Pronoia).
3. Assess whether you're seeing internal and external results
Periodically evaluate whether your goals are making a difference to you and your receiver. Internally, your mental and emotional understanding of dealing with obstacles should open a pathway to stronger resilience driven by passion. You may find yourself increasingly more aware of your internal circle, only wanting to surround yourself with people that encourage you in reaching your goals. Externally, your outcome should give you clarity whether you need to realign your values and execute your actions in a different way.
Living passionately and accepting misfortunes is the greatest way to introduce yourself to authenticity. Staying true to who you are can be hard in a world of naysayers, but you have to remind yourself why a specific purpose is important to YOU. Whether it is a short-term or long-term goal, you are accountable for making a difference. It has only been a year that I have applied these concepts to my life, but my progression has been undoubtedly rewarding. Seeing this behavior positively drive those closest to me has been the most gratifying. Passion is contagious, and people are drawn to it. Being able to nurture a career or a life with someone fueled by passion can be incredibly fulfilling, and personal value development is the first step in attaining that. It is a challenge to be committed to this energy, but it is so worth it to feel alive.
As you begin the new year, I hope you take the time to find your appetite and keep yourself starving for more. Harvest pronoia and passion and let it rectify your power.
Here is a list of goals I successfully accomplished from 2015 I wanted to share as encouragement.
