What motivates you? – A simple question from the Daily Writing prompt.
Quick answer – Love, sunrises, learning, the sound of a V8, food, creating, music, competition, sunsets, stick shifts, family, friends. I’d like to think at the end that my life had a positive purpose.
Long answer – This one made me think a good bit. I’ll start with things that motivate me today and work my way back.
Being the grandparent who is there for them and helps with wisdom, fun, and motivation.
The opportunity to do something I thought about doing when I was a teen as a senior citizen. Which is to try to use my creative abilities to make something special through my art that will touch people, especially those close to me.
About a year ago, one of my best friend’s wives gave me a picture of her husband and son and me coming off the beach in Bethany Delaware. It’s a nice picture but for some strange reason, it made me look at myself hard and saw an overweight person. I just said to myself the next pictures of me at the beach will be healthy-looking. And I’ve managed to shed 30-35 lbs and maintain this healthy weight.
Before I retired I had the privilege of working with many talented people. I would pick their best talents and traits and use them as motivation to improve myself. I always felt this overwhelming need to carry my weight on the job and be able to pick up or help others who weren’t. I saw people who were natural mentors and tried to always share what I could.
Health scares can be a big motivator. Just ask anyone who’s had one.
I’ve always had this underlying feeling inside that I should do my best. I’m guessing some of that came from my parents. Most of the friends I’ve had in life have been very hard-working and I used that to outwork almost all of them.
When I got married and when we started a family those were extreme motivators. I could never let down my family and I wanted to provide a good life for them.
I realized at a young age my mother’s life was touched by great loss throughout her life. So therefore I was motivated to always be there for her.
It might seem like I’m motivated and I am but I’ve also stumbled significantly over the years. Some bad choices have taken time away. Ego after getting good at some things took time away from constantly improving. Selfishness has taken time and energy from the family I cherish. Laziness kept me from learning all I could have.
So I just get up each day and try my best now.
Other interesting replies to today’s question
