Motivation

We all have our own motivation to do the things we do, to act the way we act, and to say the things we say. The fact that we are allowed to express our opinions in whichever way we see fit and to act upon them is one of those very precious things in life we call freedom…

That freedom has a lot to do with society and culture; with the people around us and the social mores we live by. In other words, at least at the surface this freedom is something that is granted to us by the society we live in; and therefore stems from outside of ourselves.

Our motivation to do, or not do something, to say something or be silent, to act or sit back is usually much more complicated.

Often our motivation is provided from outside of ourselves. For instance the motivation for being on time for the start of your shift at work may well be the paycheck at the end of the month, which you need in order to pay the bills. This may also be true when looking at the decision to speak up or not; very few people find the strength and courage inside themselves to become a whistle blower. And for good reason. Therefore the wiser choice may well be to stay silent…

Yet in this day and age it seems to be more and more important that the things we do ~ like our job ~ are something we are passionate about. Even though we may have to work harder to make a living, when we are doing something we feel passionate about it seems that ultimately the earnings come in more easily than when we are just ‘going through the motions’. 

Doing the things we are passionate about usually are things that we feel motivated about from within. There is an inner drive, an inner guidance to set out and do those things. And when we do, we almost always feel more fulfilled as a result.

In other words, while there will always be an ‘outer motivation’ for any number of the things we do, our ‘inner motivation’ seems to become a more and more important part in making choices as to where to spend our time and energy. As to what we want to be part of, and what we choose to walk away from. As to what we want to say, and when to be quiet; and if we still want to speak up, how we choose our words.

As time goes on, our inner compass will become a more and more important part of our motivation for living our lives the way we choose to…

first published in 2009

Taking it Easy

Most mornings when I wake up, I will start off by examining the ideas, thoughts and half formed plans that are floating around in my mind. Sometimes these are fairly basic and based around the situation of that very moment — like the cat snuggling up and wanting a tummy rub… Other times they can be quite involved and extensive, and it can even take a bit of time to sort out where they may be able to fit in the fabric of my life.

It is on those days that it is easy to make plans that can stretch throughout the week, as one idea often leads tot he next, and the next, and the next…

And then something happens that says — subconsciously at first, yet more insistently when I am not listening — “Wait a minute! Why the rush?”

It always signals a moment to take a deep breath. A time to stand still, even if it just is a minute. Or perhaps it even is a sign that it is time to smell the roses…

Now, often when I look back over the past couple of days, there have already been different signals — or perhaps “Omens” — that I am too busy. That I am trying to do too many things all at once…

Yet, like undoubtedly happens to many “Omens”, I have failed to actually pick up on them…

Anyway… Then there is that morning when there is that message that says “Hold on! Wait a minute!”. And that one, I have learned to listen to…

Yes, in the past I have tried to just keep going, to make my plans to keep moving through the day — after all, one has to be productive, right?

Invariably that has not worked. It has taken me into miles of traffic jams. And sometimes while on the hunt for some product or material I need for my work, it seems to be sold out everywhere I go… Until I give up and make one last phone call, only to find it can be delivered with next day shipping without extra cost…

So, there is really no reason to keep running around when the early morning message was to take it easy… To take a moment to listen to the signs and signals that are coming my way…

As it turns out, there is wisdom in taking it easy more often. In taking the time to listen to what messages are coming our way, and follow up on them. To do the research what the second meaning of the “Omen” might be (I have found over the years, that there often are at least two meanings to those type of messages…).

Chances are we would receive the necessary information in such time that we can use it before things go haywire — even to prevent that from happening. Which would, in all likelihood, bring a smoothness and an ease to life…

And all the time we would need to take it easy…