How we define ourselves and what drives us goes hand in hand; but eventually, this changes as we progress in life. We all get older. Children grow and eventually take care of us. We retire from our careers. Some of us downsize; and then…. What? If we do not periodically stop and assess what drives us, we can look back and find ourselves believing our best years have passed us by. These rites of passage are inevitable and it is okay to accept it as something positive. We must examine ourselves and discover who we are right here, and right now. The version of yourself reading this blog is certainly not the same you as 2009, or 1999… and your future self in 2029 will not be the same as you are now. What is your motivator?
What drives you?
This question is a question that we should all ask ourselves. Life is ever changing and therefore our circumstances and our roles change along with it. What once motivated us may not be an effective motivator today. Without motivation, we develop a void with people, places and things; all of which, are fleeting and temporary fixes. We get addicted to peaks and valleys of “happiness” and “emptiness.” Or sometimes, we disconnect and go through our days on auto-pilot – not really living, but just existing like a buoy in the water.
Have you ever asked yourself that question? Is it your career, your family, or recognition? Is it something else? Is it a foreign concept that you have never bothered to ask yourself before? Or, has it been quite a while since you have asked yourself that question? Is it a scary concept to even think about? Introspection is possibly the most fearsome journey any of us will ever take. Taking a look inside of us and discovering what drives us incites fear of what we might find. Ultimately, what we find are parts of ourselves that we have forgotten, neglected or ignored. These parts of ourselves can subconsciously influence what drives us. It may seem harmless for a time, but when life shifts – the cracks begin to show and it can be traumatizing.
What is important to you? Why? What are your strengths? What would you like to contribute to your loved ones and your community? Do you have any dreams that you have not fulfilled? Is it time to revisit them?
Just a few questions to self that are worth asking and pondering. Perhaps, these answers are worth writing down.
Much to Think About Nothing 