This is Day 9 of the 21-Day Journaling Challenge held in Nov 2011. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Hi everyone – Welcome to Day 9 of 21DJC! :)
Yesterday’s question was: “On a Scale of 1-10, How Much Do You Love Yourself?“. (Read the responses.)
Self-love is such a tricky topic. Do you love yourself? How much do you love yourself?
The modern society has taught us to be unhappy with ourselves. That we’re not thin enough, not toned enough, not muscular enough, not attractive enough, not rich enough, not smart enough, not skilled enough, not successful enough, not accomplished enough, not well-known enough – and what have you.
Because of that, feelings of self loathe become embedded in us, subconsciously. Our journey through life then becomes a process where we reverse what we were conditioned with since young; where we discover who we are on the inside; where we evolve into our ideal selves.
I’ve come quite a long way where self-love is concerned. In the past, I really hated myself. I was emotionally stingy, I was judgmental, I was critical – I was basically difficult to be around. I didn’t even like me – there were often times when I felt that I could never stand it if I ever had to be around someone who had the exact personality as mine. I didn’t realize it then, but looking back, my self-love was probably in the negative range.
It’s been a few years, but I’ve worked on becoming a better person since then, and I’m a lot more at peace with who I am today. I think I’m still far from being my ideal self, and there’s a lot I need to work on, but I appreciate myself a lot more than I used to.
I believe being a better person is a journey and not an end point. By constantly growing, it helps me to become a better person day after day, which in turn makes me appreciate myself more. If there’s ever anything I don’t like about myself, I’ll reflect on it, develop my desired traits, and shed off the undesirable ones. I believe I’m on the right path, and in time to come I’ll achieve the same level of unconditional, self-love which my higher self has for me.
With that said, let’s now move to today’s question!
21DJC Day 9
On Day 6, you answered the question: What Frustrates You?. Today, I’d like to invite you to think about something different:
What Drives You?
What drives you in life? What do you live for? What are the times when you feel charged up and ready to take on the world? And why?
(Today’s question can be found in #77 of 101 Important Questions To Ask Yourself In Life.)
Your Task Today:
- Reflect and answer today’s question. There’s no word limit – whether minimum or maximum. Write as few or as many words as you want. It’s all up to what you want to express!
- Share your answer. After you are done writing, copy and paste your answer in the comments area and post it there.
- Check out other participants’ answers. Other participants will be sharing their answers too, so feel free to read and reply to their answers. This is a group course, so let’s support each other in these 21 days.
((Images: Empty book for journaling, Determined woman))
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What drives me.
This may sound a bit abstract, but I believe I am driven by all the positive energy around me. And this encompasses so much. It could be the people I choose to connect with the most, either in the real world or online, music I listen to, books and articles I read, the creative work of artists who inspire me, the food I eat, bright sunny days, or even nature itself, including all plants and animals.
In contrast, negative energy can be distracting. If I encounter a person with a negative attitude for example, my interaction with that person can easily distract me from the most important things I need to be doing at any moment in time. I may start to question what made the person become like that, or what I can do to help them? But sadly in most cases that would only waste my time. If they’re unable to believe in them self or choose to seek advice, then there’s not much I can really do to help them.
So as much as possible I will focus on what inspires me the most, and use that positive energy to keep me going strong. Right now, I am really looking forward to a slightly late breakfast of freshly squeezed orange juice and a couple of mangoes. The kind of foods that make me feel alive and will drive me for at least two or three hours.
Postive energy from others helps lighten my mood and drives me as well. There is a lot of postive energy on this blog.
Thanks for the comment Vanessa. So true!
Hi Glenn, Your posts are always very intuitive, well composed, and such an easy flow to follow. For some of the questions when my mind is confused or thinking a lots of things in an incoordinated way your posts always helps in streamlining.
Thanks,
Lavanya
Hello Lavanya, many thanks for your reply here. This is definitely among the best feedback I’ve received in quite some time :) To be honest, I’ve never had much confidence in my writing ability, but it seems that having to write daily journals for this challenge has helped me a lot already. Both in my writing ability, and in conveying my thoughts.
Even, i agree with Lavanya, you have written it so well and made it easy for others to express them as well.
I also feel that the time i spent with negative people brings my energy levels down and leave me quite irritated. So i try to kind of avoid them, which is not always possible, so try to keep the conversation very short with them.
I try to look for positive things and as you said, small little things drives me as well. I feel high by the early morning silence, enjoying nature, having good food, spending time with my near and dear ones and some nice people :-)
Cheers!
Thanks Anjali :)
Yes, so true about negative people. Recently on facebook I decided to hide all the people who would continually post negative status updates, mostly complaining about different things. I was never a big fan of facebook, but hiding those people has actually made it more enjoyable to read.
And the small things too, like you said. Sadly a lot of people take these things for granted. I can sit on the grass and find enjoyment from just watching a tiny bug crawling around and going about it’s business :)
I read once that being “driven” isn’t the best word to use because it implies fear, and instead we should follow what “pulls” us, a love based motivation. This is how I view my present life, and, I think, the spirit of this question.
The most obvious motivation that comes to my mind is my horses. Supporting them and giving them the good life is what gets me out of bed, going to work, and pursuing my education.
Besides my horses, the pull to do good things for my mother motivates me. I like to do whatever I can for her to repay, at least in part, all the unconditional love and support she has given me.
Also, I am motivated by the community, all the people, animals, and the environment I come in contact with whether directly, indirectly, or electronically. I feel very strongly motivated to be a positive force in the world I live in, and Gandhi’s quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world” is like my personal mantra.
So I guess my biggest pull/drive of all, is to be my best self, which can only come by doing right by others.
Its hard to fully understand this aspect of myself. I live for understanding, myself and the world. There is so many questions I have regarding so many things. When I feel hopeful about my future I feel invincible.
What drives me? I think inspirational people drive me the most. Music (along with the lyrics if there are any) can also drive me.
Usually when I see someone’s talent (tv, live, it doesn’t matter), it gives me motivation. I start to think: if that person can do so well in what he/she does in life, why shouldn’t I give it a try? They start to inspire me and I start to look up to them, a lot. Whenever I feel like that energy goes away, I “recharge” by rewatching videos online, etc.
Music wise, some lyrics are really inspiring, and that makes me want to change for the better.
Inspiration and music combined is the greatest way to drive me and let me become “the greatest person in the world”, or at least, in my head ;)
By what matters most. By knowing what I do makes a (good) difference in others’ lives. By emerging as a better person at the end of it.
+1!
To be a positive force and helping others and becoming a better person out of it. Good advice!
Love. Joy. Those are my driving forces. The times I feel charged up and ready to take on the world are when I’m well rested and low stress times. Sleep/rest recharges me and them I’m ready for anything. Bring it on.
I’ll pull a Tony Robbins and say that we’re all driven by pain and pleasure. But b/c the question seems to focus on the positive motivators, that’s where I’ll aim my answer.
Daily Drivers
On a daily basis, I’m driven by a sense of accomplishment and the urge to maintain and grow the life I’ve crafted, or, from a different perspective, that I’ve built with God looking and working over my shoulder. It’s fun to see your little daily advances compound into big opportunities… to look back and see that I’m becoming a better person as the months and years go by. Years ago, I wouldn’t have appreciated the power of these habits, of leading a well-designed lifestyle in the little ways, of improving yourself from the inside out. But I do now. And it drives me.
For one daily “pain” motivator, I’m trying to introduce more “positive” peer pressure.
“The wise man will want to be ever with him who is better than himself.”
– Plato
Life-fulfillment Drivers
This is where outside-in forces meet deep inside desires for me. My daily habits are great — they move me along automatically, and that’s more powerful than you might think. But they’re all very controlled. It’s fun and makes a great growing experience to get in over your head from time to time. My big-ticket motivation is to reach the highest possible “wavelength” of thought for the longest time I can. That’s being my best self. In theory, I could just do this in a blank room, but I find that “crutches” — being around inspiring people, traveling, reading interesting thoughts of others, etc. — help. So this is what I want, and what I know is good for me, but it’s not as big a driver in an everyday sense as I’d like because I seldom get my mind out of the everyday places for long enough to think higher thoughts.
I feel most charged when I have “bridge” moments — when a catalyst brings some of that higher-level thinking into my brain (or my brain up to that level), and I’m suddenly able to think more clearly, to make breakthroughs in understanding math equations, doing brainteasers, writing, etc. I feel like I put my brain on a higher-functioning wavelength, and, for the moment, technically become a smarter human being. If only I could do it more often :)
Hey J! I hear you regarding Tony Robbin’s theory on how people are motivated by either pain or pleasure. At the same time, I would like to add my 2 cents here that the things we are motivated by are linked to our consciousness level. People who are in fear-based consciousness tend to be primarily motivated by pain / fear-based factors. For example, someone in the consciousness level of “pride” will be motivated by ego-related pursuits, such as material exhibitions of wealth, status symbols, extrinsic labels, and so on.
On the other hand, people who are in love-based consciousness are primarily motivated by love-based factors. For example, someone in the consciousness level of “willingness” will be motivated by desire for betterment and growth. Someone in the consciousness level of “love” will be motivated by desire to unconditionally help others and see them in a better place. Ultimately, I earnestly believe that at our highest state, at our highest consciousness level, we will be motivated by solely love and light, and fear/pain will play no role in our life. That’s also what it means to be in the state of enlightenment.
More on consciousness levels here: https://personalexcellence.co/blog/map-of-consciousness/ (Love-based consciousness refers to the levels under “Power”, while fear-based consciousness refers to levels under “Force”.)
Interesting, my thoughts are that in a higher conscious state we will not be affected by fear/pain although this might happen to us ie. the death of a loved one. Because we have learned to understand and control what we want to feel and think. I think there will be always moments where they could be fear/pain but we will emotionally detach ourselves from it.
Hi Celes :)
Interesting article — I had not seen it before. Thanks for linking to it, and for the shout-out.
I actually see both frameworks as remaining consonant simply because Tony’s applies so broadly (i.e. on an action level, vs. a consciousness level). I may have complicated things by injecting it into your post on drive, which deals with higher motivation.
For example, this morning, I drank water, used the toilet, and showered. I didn’t do them out of either fear or love, and my level of consciousness didn’t matter, aside from being just generally awake. I did them out of habit, as we all do, but those habits were formed to prevent us from feeling the pain of thirst or headache, the “pain” of feeling smelly and offensive to peers, etc.
Simple point. Now let’s ratchet things up.
Having only peeked at your David Hawkins post (so far — I’ll read it thoroughly :)), my instinct is to say that it’s useful, but that I prefer the genuineness of your own overlay to his pseudo-precision and embedded judgmentalness. His graph misses a dimension: that higher and lower versions of pain and pleasure are still orbiting at all levels of consciousness; in fact, they define them.
Mother Theresa’s diary shows that she struggled horrifically throughout life. Alongside making massive contribution, she fought massively negative forces inside:
“I have no Faith – I dare not utter the words & thoughts that crowd in my heart – & make me suffer untold agony”
“repulsed empty no faith no love no zeal”
(quotes from her letters, cited in a Beliefnet article)
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus exclaimed, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” And he suffered similarly on the cross, depending on which Gospel you cite.
I don’t think Hawkins’ implications of a pain-free enlightenment hold up to this reality.
We all suffer pain and pleasure; higher-conscious people just channel higher forces, which gives them the ability to channel higher versions of each. We most remember world-changes for their positive contributions, but many, if not most, have gone through hell in private. So I’d see level of consciousness as one dimension, and whether we’re a positive or negative embodiment of that level as another.
Thanks for the interaction. Haven’t thought like this in years.
Take care :)
I am much less idealist than I used to be.
This also mean there are less things that drives me and I live for, and this forces are weaker.
For something I am just desinchated, if not resigned.
Being 40 I know I’ll never be a football player and the window for procreate is closing.
Sounds depressing, but getting rid of illusions is the path that get you closer the truth.
And these days, while I still have many projects, I just live trying to be open to whatever life offers to me.
What drives me is the willing to learn.
Hey Claudio,
Cheer up!
40 is just a number. Many presidents of the world are above 40, do you know?
Many women above the age of 40 are giving birth nowadays. As for men, well, I’ve read of many men who became fathers at the age of 60 and beyond. So, you are not late at all.
In fact, 40 is the prime of life. You’ve gone through so much in your life and you know what works and what don’t by now.
Your positive attitude to be opened to learning is wonderful, Claudio!
I want to reply this to you just to cheer you up. There’s so much waiting for you out there. Think of all the possibilities! Above all, be happy!
Thank you Asni :)
The desire to make an impact on the world drives me. If I am not fully expressing myself uniquely in a way that makes the better place, I am wasting my time. And, time is running out with every second. Who knows how long I will live?
I suppose a fear of death drives me.
A fear of living an unremarkable life.
A fear of being boring (or bored).
Of course, the fear of being poor and homeless keeps me working!
I wish I was motivated by more positive things other than fear!
This is an interesting question. My answer is when I have this sense of love, faith, charity, hope, worthiness, trust, commitment, respect and dignity responding to my own belief, self-satisfaction/growth, personal dignity & integrity, and from other’s confidence towards me.
Above all, what drives most is I am so inspired by God to do His Will with the help of all the angels and saints, through Our Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Amen.
What drives me is making a difference. It’s doing something that I know will benefit many and it would help change their lives.
It’s waking up and knowing that my life impacts many others in a special way.
Also, it’s the adventure of life and how we set out to discover all the diffent facets of our being, and creating a world that reflects who we are.
I am driven knowing that I made a difference in someones life today . I am a nurse . I am driven to go and care for those I care for . the elderly need me . May this day I am the only one who hugged them or stopped to talk to them , I want to feel a sense of “job well done “when I get home . I am driven to help some one less fortunate then me . again to make a difference in anothers life , even if it is just for today .
I’ve never given a thought to this actually. But I know it’s deep inside, somewhere, of me.
I’m thinking of many things that can drive me. Let’s list them here so that I can remain clear to myself, at least:-
* family
* friends
* positive / inspiring people
* inspiring quotes
* inspiring books
* money so that I can pay my bills on time and provide for those who depend on me.
Nah, those are just outside of myself – external forces. I’m thinking about it as I write these words and one big, giant, thought that came to me is — LOVE.
All my life, from childhood to now, LOVE is the driving force behind all that I do. Love for my family, my friends, my country, my work, my home, all beings including the animals and the trees and the rest of the planet, myself and above all, God. And, vice versa, the love that I receive in return — wow, there’s magic in there! It’s enough to make the world go round!
There, that’s the major driving force behind all that I do — why I wake up every morning, why I go to work every morning, seeing the love in all the children’s faces in my school, coming home after work and cooking dinner even though my body and brain may be exhausted and would just love to put my feet up in front of the TV or lazing somewhere under the palm tree in some resort island by the sea!
:heart: Love is what drives me. :heart:
Sometimes pleasure, sometimes pain. I am either moving toward something or away from something. I have been career driven my whole life. Now, I am driven wanting peace and the ability to say, “this right here, right now is enough.”
LOVE~
Love for family, love for self, love for the love of my life, love for the things I do
I am not one whom others will say I am enthusiastic or engrossed into things. There are times when I totally focus on something such as project report, chasing for task to be completed and finishing it before deadline, going after some goals like saving XX amount of money by when…
I am driven when I give myself some goals and force myself to focus on it and follow through to completion, not allowing myself to give up.
I am driven when I feel appreciated and loved. I am driven to love more when I get positive feedback from my loved ones.
Driven because I know I will gain satisfaction in the end
I am actively working to stay healthy as I get older. Remaining healthy is my prime operative. I spent the day today in a cancer center with a friend. I saw so many people whose quality of life was directly impacted by their disease. Since diet and activity both directly influence a person’s chances of getting cancer and heart disease, I will be driven to continually work on my diet and my exercise habits. By doing these things, I will be able to serve my family and community throughout the remainder of my life.
What drives you in life?
Positive and inspirational people.
What do you live for?
I am still not sure :/
What are the times when you feel charged up and ready to take on the world?
When I get motivation and when I get inspired.
And why?
Because motivation, rather than discipline, works the best for me! :D
Hmmm… Life is a broad and obvious answer. I guess my passion for people and ending injustices in the world. I care a whole lot about people who were never given the same opportunity I was. Life is so hard, we’ve got to help each other out!
Also, my faith drives me. Go Jesus!
the ability to make a wider range of choices
the thing that drives me is my determination to be a whole person who is very centred and balanced. this i do by having total awareness of self. I want to help others to feel the inner peace that I feel on a daily basis and help them to see everyone around them including themselves are wonderful, beautiful, amazing and precious.
I can relate to your desire to help others see their beauty and potential. It only takes one person to make a difference in someones life. :)
I much prefer to be led, inspired, intrigued to follow or pursue a path, discovery or adventure. I detest and resist being forced or driven by anyone or anything. But I think your question is really “What Motivates You?”
I am inspired, motivated and intrigued by the miracle of birth, the mystery of death and this thing called life in between. My passion is to discover, embrace, learn about and experience as much of the before, during and after of this thing called life as possible and then have the energy, wit and words to leave a written legacy about my discoveries.
For me my dreams drive me…
I have always been a dreamer… as if I’ve got wings…and my heart knows where i am flying to…
So my dreams keep me going every day…
After reading your answer and others I am finding that I left some things out of my response. My dreams keep me going as well.
I’m happiest when I can be of ‘service’. Also, when I interact with people, that is when I feel a rush of adrenaline and this includes training of my staff.
I wanted to become a teacher, but that never materialised, but I never have a problem teaching / coaching people as to how to do their tasks.
Let me add to my post as I’ve thought of more things. I’m actually still very much asleep and have flu-like symptoms … hey ho, hey ho, it’s off to work I go …!
I’m happiest when I can be of ‘service’. Also, when I interact with people, that is when I feel a rush of adrenaline and this includes training of my staff.
I wanted to become a teacher, but that never materialised, but I never have a problem teaching / coaching people as to how to do their tasks.
I love being creative and have always been. It’s just that responsibilities take precedence over ‘likes-to-do’s’.
I also get a huge thrill out of finishing a task or project at home or even doing the ironing as it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Of course I’d have preferred to have accomplished something more worthy than the ironing, but it must be done!!
Clarity of mind also drives me. Knowing that I’m on the right path definitely pulls me forward, as does the ‘knowing’ in my heart that it is right.
Now, I’m off to work …
the driving force of my life is actually becoming a better me,that’s by reading motivational books and expanding my knowledge,
money in order to afford to live better considering am from a third word country and last but not least the ability to show and receive love to every human being.
At 56 years, there isn’t as much that drives me anymore, not to succeed in the world that is.
I’ve done pretty much what I was able to do, and now I’m enjoying life as much as I can. I suppose that it’s my husband’s happiness that drives me more than anything else these days….I love when he’s happy, and that in turn makes happy.
Corny? Yes. Me? Yes.
I had never thought about this before and now when I did, I found it to be very interesting. I have learned some new things about me and my choices in the process.
What Drives Me?
I have many answers to this question, but the top three are:
– The urge to learn and grow: The urge to learn and grow always drives me to make myself a better person and have a better life. It motivates me to learn new things, develop new skills and improve my old skills. It also gives me the energy to achieve new heights, goals and accomplishments.
– Positive energy: The positive energy around me boosts the positive energy in me and drives me to think and act positive. The common sources of positive energy around me are positive thoughts, positive people and positive environment.
– Inspiration & motivation: I am driven by the motivation and inspiration from inspiring people, stories, quotations and books to be happy, move forward and make my dreams come true.
~ Iva ~
I didn’t put those things down as mine but that also drives me too. :dance:
Nature…….
Give me a flower to smell.
Let me look at a waterfall whose thunder sounds like a song.
View a sunrise or a sunset where a beauty brings a tear to the eye,
Stare at a petite bird trying to nibble grains of food.
Smell he soil just after the rain,
and many more,,,,,
What definitely drives me is my time with nature.If it were up to me then i’d make every day of mine at par with whats offer by nature.
Digging deeper I feel that my driver was always with the simplistic beauty of the Earth yet i always prioritized with pleasing others… its time to regenerate this drive…….
I agree with you. Nature really helps center my focus and clear my mind. This in turn enables me to know what it is that I want. Nature is also a source of inspiration for me especially the beautiful colors and textures.
Thanks for sharing your response :)
It has helped me realize that nature is also one of my driving forces.
You are very much welcome
In a way or the other, no one can deny the influence of nature in their lives…….The childlike passion and innocence that’s brought out when gazing at one of its scenes is often forgotten……
Surprise.
The one thing that pushes me forward is to be adventurous and continually be faced with surprises. To experience something new every day. I live to learn new skills, to realize new joys, to understand the world a little more bit by bit, to fathom new knowledge, to fall in love, to make a difference, to discover the wonders and to be amazed. To be surprised.
I like your attitude of living a life of adventures & surprises.
Here’s a +1 for you!
I get inspiration from having a son who I want to give my best to. I get Inspiration from God, from music, people, and my belief in myself. I hold the ball in my court I just have to be disciplined and keep focus and I can accomplish what ever I set my mind to. My biggest drive is my Faith and my Child. Also there is a little part of me who wants to show others who have dissappointed me that I am better than they see me. Along time ago this guy that was my boyfriend at the time his friend told me I was fat I went from a fourteen to a size three. Once I set my mind to something I do it. I didn’t lose the weight because of him but I did show him. I also have one semester and I graduate and then I will go on and get another degree. That guy that use to be my boyfriend said I would never get a college degree oh well he was wrong. I think a lot of people get discouragement when it comes to college. I guess it is not something you have to have but I want it. I guess negative discouragement also drives me a little. I self motivate and I know what I am capable of.
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