Reflection: My Driving Force

I had a conversation recently with someone during which I was asked what motivates or drives me. I appreciated that question because it prompted me to pause and ponder what I truly value in life. It reminds me a little bit of Simon Sinek’s message to “find your why.”

What drives me . . . I think if I had to boil everything down to the most concentrated essence I like to think it’s love. For myself, for the world, for the Divine. I didn’t always used to feel that way, but as I’ve grown a a person, I’ve realized life is too precious and rich to spend it being angry or despondent. Not that those things are wrong, but I don’t need to be motivated by them. And life seems much fuller this way.

It’s easy for me to forget that connection with Divine love is my lifeline, but as long as I am tapping into those abundant stores of love, I will be okay.

Finding My Life Purpose: An Exercise

Seven years ago I came across Mark Manson‘s Life Purpose Guide, an 11-page article with step-by-step instructions on how to write out one’s goals and find direction in life. How I stumbled upon it I cannot remember, but in the summer of 2013 I found myself writing out the biggest bucket list I had ever attempted: ideas and thoughts of all the things I would love to do before I die. Anything from getting married to singing on Broadway went on the list, no matter how unrealistic, trivial, big or small.

I don’t remember if I actually followed Manson’s guide exactly to determine my purpose in life, but what the exercise did do was help me begin a journey of figuring out what I wanted to do, how I wanted to live.

Many successful speakers, researchers, and coaches advise people to write lists to help with productivity and accomplishing tasks. Since I love to journal, it wasn’t a far stretch for me to begin my own system of list-making. Now, besides regular to-do lists I write for cleaning the house or grocery shopping, I have a running bucket list of certifications I want to obtain, places I’d like to visit, or other goals I’d like to accomplish. And over the years, that exercise of list-keeping has helped me grow as I find my sense of direction, purpose, personhood.

At first the idea seemed almost selfish – focusing on what I want. But in a way, writing out everything I want helped to get myself out of the way. If I got myself out on paper, I wasn’t stuck in my head and I was able to focus on living my best life. I could see clearly what was realistic or not, and I didn’t have to feel ashamed of my thoughts. I was able to create a roadmap of what to pursue and how to get there. And in so doing, I could create the clarity I needed to free myself up so I could be of service to others as well.

Awhile back I created a post that listed what I would do on an ideal day. It was a very basic list, but it gave me a starting point to help define what I enjoy and what I value. And if I know what I value, I know how to live.

Should I Get a Pinterest?

Recently, I somewhat reluctantly created my own Pinterest account. I was reluctant because I didn’t want to be perceived as a stereotypical girl who spends her life on the addictive website planning her dream wedding (or dream closet, or whatever). But ultimately I created it primarily to help me with meal planning. Eating well is important to me, and even though I’m still in the early stages of changing my eating habits, Pinterest has been helpful in providing me with meal ideas as well as keeping those ideas organized. I have to admit that it seems much more orderly to have a board devoted to main dishes rather than trying to bookmark all the recipes I find on the internet.

For some people, maybe Pinterest is a waste of time. For others, it is a useful tool. Ultimately I had to ask myself, “Will this add value to my life?” That is probably one of the more important questions when considering making a change. For me, I think it does add value to my life, because I am trying to use it as a tool to help me be more mindful of my diet. Granted, I still have fun with it (I created a board devoted entirely to muffin recipes I’d like to try), and I still want to be careful about how much time I spend on the internet, but I think for me this account has been a good thing. And yay for good things!