There's arguably a fine subtle difference between desire and determination, in that the former represents a wish or longing while the latter carries with it a resolute commitment to action, even though the end goal for both is a better outcome.
Sometimes, this could spell the difference between illness and health. As in someone who desires to be healthy versus someone who is determined to be healthy.
With the latter, there's a basic shift in mindset from hoping for change to actively creating it. A determined person doesn't stop at wishing for better health. They'll go further and research, plan, adjust their lifestyle if necessary, and consistently follow through, even when motivation isn't present.
Oftentimes, I get this perception that desires are created in us as a teaser or test to see if we really have the strength of will to transform them into determined action. Like a screening process to separate dreamers from doers.
And in my own experience, it's basically not that different from saying you want to do something versus actually doing the thing. There's a huge gap to cross from want to doing.
In a way, this gap could represents the critical space where many falter, myself included.
Having a well-crafted plan versus actually executing it.
Knowing what needs to be done versus committing to the uncomfortable process of doing it.
Those Grumpy Days
In my own case, this gap tends to haunt me in the small brief hours, when I sit down cataloging all the well-researched plans I've crafted but haven't fully executed.
For example, an exercise routine mapped out in careful detail and complete with progression charts. Or a meal prep schedule(discovered during one of those late-night boredom scrolls) that seemed so perfectly achievable on paper.
More than viewing them as mere 'failed plans,' now I view each of these instances as a moment when desire collided with determination's true demands.
And in each case, I keep re-learning that even the most seemingly perfectly crafted plan can't account for the way my resolve wavers on some days at 6 AM when the alarm rings for that morning workout, for example.
Or how the blank page seems to really mock my carefully outlined key points after a day that's drained of every creative resource.
What I'm slowly coming to understand is that this gap isn't mostly a test of will, like I thought previously.
Because determination isn't some iron-clad guarantee or mystical force, akin to an unshakeable force that carries you effortlessly from intention to action.
It's more like a quality that's built brick by brick, through the humble work of showing up even when the plan falls apart.
Having to brainstorm in the moment to improvise and take imperfect action instead of waiting for perfect conditions or motivation to come along.
For desire however, I'll keep exploring the teaser angle. There may be some truth in it.
Even if desires indeed serve as life's screening process, separating dreamers from doers, then passing this test seems simple. Since, it asks only that we keep showing up through persistent imperfect action.
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