Navigating the Noise: Finding Purpose in a World of Possibilities

Lately, I've been navigating a confusing corner of the internet. My feeds are flooded with motivational content from unfamiliar people, alongside a deluge of distressing current events. The rare bright spots in my day are the occasional humourous posts from Kenyan creators – my fellow Kenyans are incredibly witty.

Content is key nowadays, further evidencing the argument a colleague of mine once made, "The sad reality is that the purpose of life is to propagate." I remember being shocked, if not slightly offended, to find myself agreeing with this after mulling over it for a while. But alas, here we are, less than two years later, living in a world of influencers and NPCs in the philosophical sense.

Of all the content I have consumed recently, two in particular have stood out. One is of SpaceX 's recent giant leap for humanity a few days ago when they (and sorry to the team for being incredibly reductive) caught the largest flying object in the world with chopsticks. The engineering and precision required to achieve this testify to the age-old saying, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

The second item was a video of Elon Musk, the influential figure also responsible for companies like PayPal , Tesla , and X , explaining the reasoning behind an impressive engineering accomplishment. He also jokingly mentioned that his team thought he might have lost his mind for considering the ambitious feat that he inspired and led them to achieve. As an aerospace enthusiast, I am incredibly encouraged by this achievement as it is a reminder that anything is possible.

His team's achievement over the weekend meant a lot to me as a person of African descent as it's frustrating to look around and see the world from a limited perspective. There's a lot of strife, ineffective leadership, few opportunities, and a system designed to keep us oppressed. As a dreamer, it's even worse when you realize that a lack of support and societal expectations can weigh you down. As a young(ish) person, it's intensely challenging to balance daily realities with endless possibilities.

However, I submit that Flight 5 meant more to us who live on the edge and dare to challenge the status quo than any reel could ever convey. If you're anything like me, an outlier who's used to thinking and creating while others prefer to follow, you'll be familiar with the imposter syndrome that comes with pushing boundaries. It's seldom rewarded by a sense of accomplishment, even the one time out of ten that things go as hoped. But here's the thing, they do.

When we apply ourselves, to the best of our ability and then some, surrounded by our tribe, mobilising thoughts, resources, actions and hearts towards common goals for the good of more than ourselves, somehow, just somehow, things do work out. Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, managing people is tedious. And yes, pulling ideas out of our heads and into reality is spiritually, mentally, financially and physically draining. But, we must.

We must because doing so gives life purpose. Seasoned entrepreneurs will attest that they often discover a deeper layer to themselves and their teams with every venture they embark on - and that's the crux of what I am trying to say - learn. In as much as the goals and the outcomes are important, the process of realising who you are both individually and collectively, and achieving what you set out to achieve, I suggest, is what living is about - the story, not just the finished book.

Perhaps human beings do exist to propagate by intelligent grand design. A perspective shift results in interpreting this dynamic as an opportunity for discovery, a chance to live out the potential that each of us possesses beyond the matrix of routines and norms. A giant tree can grow from a single seed dropped from a bird's cloaca - proof that even crap can turn into something beautiful and functional in the right conditions. An immense vision can be realised from a simple desire. Everything we see, hear, and touch, was once an idea in someone's mind.

Speaking from my little experience, something great happens when you dare to dream and act on it. You get into the habit of accomplishment, seeing the world as a canvas for your imagination and experiencing a depth to your soul that few do. Achievement is the result of significant deeds, done creatively, consistently and often collectively in a particular direction. It is the inevitable byproduct of true origination and resilience.

Therefore, to you, you who are afraid to take a step into the unknown, thinking that you are not enough or fearing failure, I encourage you to consider that relationship, start that enterprise, draft that book... do that thing that you are holding yourself back from doing. Start and keep going. Begin by seeing life for what it is, a chance to live out your potential - that's purpose. Not only will you find meaning when pursuing yours, but will inevitably contribute to the betterment of society in some way. Be brave. Be firm. Be hopeful.

Be an Elon.