This morning on the way in to work, I think I starting thinking about things, and really started observing everyone around me. We were all on our way somewhere… but why? What was driving us (not the car, I’m not being that literal)?
What drives us, everyday, to stay in the same job, live in the same house, and keep getting back up and going, day after day? I don’t often talk about what I do, but everyone knows that reads this blog, that I am trying to go back to school for nursing; which would certainly mean a change in career at some point. However, this morning, I am thinking to myself; what is driving me?
I thought about this yesterday when I read about the stock market crash, and I really thought about how much money people were losing; money that we are all scraping and saving to put away for that day when we can “finally retire, and start to enjoy life”. Fuck that! I am a realist, and I don’t foresee a time that I will be able to ever afford to supplement the amount of money I make right now with just savings, unless I win the lottery. The only way that I am going to be able to make it, is to work my whole life (which is the story for a lot of people), so retirement is really this “dream” that I am living my whole life for, working so hard for, and I will probably never see it.
So again, I ask myself, “what drives you?”. What is it that keeps you from opening a record store, or having a bakery, or having a website that actually makes money? What drives you to stay on the course you are on, and prevents us from deviating? People have businesses for everything; why not me? I’m not really trying to get an “answer” here, I am just reflecting, and I thought, why not see what other people think about this… what drives YOU? I mean, what makes you go down the path you are on, and what do you think prevents you from changing course, direction, or even stopping right where you currently stand?
Surely, fear cannot be the only thing that drives us… I know that is it in part, but it cannot, it just cannot be it. If it is… I think that I am going to work on having another driving force in my life; overcoming that damn fear.
(side note: I just noticed that this was my 1001th post; interesting.)
“to stay in the same job, live in the same house, and keep getting back up and going, day after day?”
I like my job, I love my house, and I make the most of it ever day.
“saving to put away for that day when we can “finally retire, and start to enjoy life”
It may not be a lot of money, but I don’t really do it for myself. I don’t want to be a burden on my children, who may end up taking care of me or B in the case that one of us can’t.
“What drives you to stay on the course you are on, and prevents us from deviating?”
Who says we aren’t deviating? I moved here not knowing anyone, started a great social group that’s been going for 4 years, and now have a successful side business. Just because we have “day jobs” and life and bills doesn’t mean you can’t do what you enjoy. A lot of people just use excuses to cop out.
mingaling, just so you know, you are actually a role model for me. Seriously, I look at you, and really, really feel inspired, and respect you so much. Just so you know.
Fear is a huge part of it.
Fear of not finding another job at all.
Fear of not finding a job that you like.
Fear of telling your co-workers that you’re leaving.
Fear that people will make some bullshit assumption about why you’re leaving.
But sometimes you just have to take the leap!
Jen, exactly… and that is a fear that I am going to work on!!
Here is an interesting article about fear: http://personalhack.com/2008/08/from-lame-to-fame-5-steps/
Brody, first of all… you are still alive! How goes it?! Secondly, that article reminds me of the line from Rocky Horror Picture Show; don’t dream it… BE IT. Perhaps I should do that!