Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire
Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.
Jal?l al-D?n Rumi, mystic of the soul and poet of eternity, once proclaimed: “Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” In these words lies the sacred mystery of purpose—that none are born without calling, and within each being burns a hidden flame that guides them toward their destined work. Life is not chance, but design, and the heart itself is the compass pointing to the task for which it was shaped.
The ancients knew this law. They spoke of the craftsman who feels joy in shaping wood, the healer whose spirit lifts at the sight of the sick made whole, the warrior who longs for honor more than rest. These longings were not seen as mere whims but as divine desires, planted by heaven itself. For to love one’s work is not coincidence, but the whisper of the Creator, guiding each soul to its rightful path.
Rumi’s wisdom reminds us that the true measure of destiny lies not in wealth or fame, but in alignment with this inner desire. To resist it is to live in discord, forever restless, chasing shadows. To embrace it is to live in harmony, where labor no longer feels like burden, but like prayer, like breathing. When the heart delights in its work, the soul finds peace, and even toil becomes joy.
This truth also carries heroic challenge. Many wander the earth blind to the call of their own hearts, silenced by fear, duty, or distraction. Yet the flame never dies—it flickers within, urging each person to rise to what they were made for. The task of wisdom is to listen, to strip away noise, and to discover that sacred desire which alone can bring fulfillment.
Let the generations remember: no soul is born without purpose, and no heart beats without longing for its own sacred work. Seek that labor which awakens joy within you, for it was planted there by design. As Rumi teaches, when you find it, you will not merely labor—you will live as one in harmony with eternity, and your life itself will become a song of fulfillment.
NNDang Nguyen Nguyen
Rumi's perspective on work feels like a reminder to align our actions with our inner desires. But what if someone’s desire isn’t obvious or seems impossible to achieve? Can we still pursue something meaningful even if it doesn’t look like what society expects? And what if the ‘work’ changes with age or circumstances? Does that mean our purpose is fluid?
HDVo Thi Huong Duyen
I’ve always been curious about this idea of a ‘particular work.’ How does one recognize it? Is it the thing you love doing, or is it something you feel a deep sense of responsibility toward? Some people seem to know their calling from a young age, while others seem to stumble upon it later in life. I wonder if the desire Rumi speaks of can change as we evolve.
KKk k
Rumi's quote gives me a sense of comfort—like we're all born with a purpose. But then I think about how many people are stuck in jobs or lives they don’t feel passionate about. Does that mean they haven’t yet found their ‘true work,’ or that their work has changed over time? How do we know when we’re on the right path, especially when things feel uncertain?
TNThuy Ngan
I love the idea that we all have a specific purpose, but it’s a bit daunting to think that the desire for that purpose is already within us. What if someone doesn’t feel that strong desire? Does that mean they haven’t found their true calling, or is the desire not always as clear as we imagine it to be?
QDNguyen Quoc Dat
This quote really resonates with me. It suggests that each person has a unique purpose or calling, something they are meant to do. But how do we find that 'work'? Is it something that comes naturally, or do we have to search for it throughout our lives? Sometimes I wonder if people settle for what’s available rather than waiting for what they are truly meant to do.