It is amazing how time flies when you are enjoying what you do. It has been 20 years from the release of “The Matrix” (Keanu Reeves) and I have felt compelled to watch the trilogy again in search for insights. As with all great books and songs, there is always this something else to extract when you re-visit a classic film.
The great #StevenSonsino introduced me into “The Matrix” and its business and philosophical nuggets while doing my MBA at #Cranfield in 2000. It was certainly inspiring to watch it again and bring back home so many great insights like:
– The truth has many layers and we tend to see reality not as it is but as we are.
– We can create new realities if we are willing to see and accept the truth.
– Not everyone wants to take the road less traveled and what you believe is what you can achieve.
However, this is not what this post is about, as all of these have been uncovered and analysed many times before.
In the last few years, there was a lot of awareness on the need to focus on our #purpose and on our (P)urpose, always starting with the “why” in mind from #SimonSinek but also from many other thought leaders like #SethGodin, #DanielPink and #TonyRobbins. Now, I was surprised to see all of these points made on starting with the “WHY” question in mind and then continuous references to “purpose” on the second film from the trilogy (2003). I have to admit that, at the time, I was completely oblivious to all of these great reflections so watching the film again was amusing.
There is this great dialogue between The Merovingian, Morpheus and Neo where they make the point that knowing your “why” is the only source of power:
Morpheus: Do you know why we are here?
The Merovingian: I am a trafficker of information. I know everything I can. The question is…do you know why you are here?
Morpheus: we are looking for the Keymaker.
The Merovingian: Oh yes, it is true. The Keymaker, of course. But this is not a reason, this is not a why. The Keymaker himself, his very nature, is a means, it is not an end. And so to look for him is to be looking for a means to do….what?
Neo: You know the answer to that question.
The Merovingian: but do you? You think you do but you do not. You are here because you were sent here. You were told to come here and then you obeyed.
The Merovingian: “WHY” is what separates us from them. You from me. “WHY” is the only real source of power…without it you are powerless…and this is how you come to me, without “WHY”, without power. Another link in the chain.
At a time where most people get on with the inertia of their daily lives, I believe that reflecting on our purpose and why we do what we do remains being the main thing.