What motivates a person? This conversation was sparked this weekend, and it got me thinking.
My significant other is a highly motivated, goal driven individual. In my younger days, I would have said the same thing of myself. It was easier in those days, because the goals were predefined. Get good grades, get into college, excel at extracurriculars. However, as I have gotten older, (and the "adult goals" have become less defined) I have noticed a change.
When comparing "goal notes" with my honey, here's what I said: My goal is simply to be happy. Sounds simple enough. I want my happiness to be free, unattached to thoughts of money, success, or material possessions. If my happiness is pure, and resides in my being, then it cannot disappear or be taken away by circumstance.
But there is a drawback to abstract goals and a preoccupation with temporal satisfaction: If left untended, it can create stagnation. And while I think it's important to be able to be happy in any given situation, how do I motivate myself to move forward?
Perhaps there is a difference between "happiness" and "satisfaction". I would say that I am not satisfied with my present circumstances, even though I consider myself happy. So maybe it's simply a matter of defining the things in my life that are unsatisfying, and addressing them, all the while maintaining a positive disposition, and having faith in the journey.
Until next time......
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