Counting the cost

Hey, Praise-sama,

Today, I write twice—one for me, one for you. When I started the first letter today, I had this in mind shortly after the final word was written.

Yet, I didn't think I wanted to share it until now.

"Only those who bear the complications of war can be capable of bearing arms"

This was said by Akame again! She's smart little kid, isn't she?

"How do you do it?"

I've been asked this question a thousand times and more in different forms, and each time I replied, I do not feel convinced.

6+ years and I have had to live by different versions of why I do design. From complete chaos to a bit of clarity, each new version becomes even clearer than the former. Yet, only I own such clarity. It's been a chore communicating that to others.

You too? No? Yes?! Maybe?

If you're not sure, answer this—why do you do what you do?

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If you haven't completed a sentence you're 100% satisfied with, we're on the same cruise ship.

Purpose, albeit over-flogged, is the crux of meaning, passion, drive, grit, determination and discipline. It's the core of survival—the tingling sensation that you matter somehow.

However, doing it takes a whole different approach.

For every soldier, 'not losing' is the goal—it doesn't matter whether a truce is called, or the enemy is vanquished, they can't lose. Losing means devastation to the reason they went out to fight anyways.

"Only those who bear the complications of war can be capable of bearing arms"

It means that until you understand the consequences/complications of not doing what you do, you'd never do it well enough. For some it is poverty, for others it is fame, impact, passion, whatever it is.

Because if you can live with the consequences of not doing it, then you probably shouldn't do it at all—you're wasting only your time, no-one else's.

Ciao.

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