I did a lot of thinking after reading Claire's most recent post, which asked readers, "What motivates and inspires you?" (Check our her post - it's awesomely beautiful.)
What motivates me? I don't want this to sound Pollyanna-ish, but I have always wanted to be in the place where I felt that I could do the most good. That's why I became a reporter - and that's why I quit being a reporter and tried very hard (finally succeeding) to move into nonprofit work.
Love motivates me - love for my friends and family, and the friends who have adopted me (and vice versa) and become family. I have this protective mother-bear attitude about the people I care about - and my claws come out when anyone hurts them, or takes advantage of them. Sometimes I am not too gifted about how I come across - and I just come across as angry, rather than protective. I'm working on this.
Justice motivates me - I believe we are put on this earth to help other people. That is why I do the work I do at a mental health nonprofit: I didn't ever realize how lucky I was until I came to work here. I have had bad, bad depression - as in, making a list of reasons not to off myself depression - and I'm so grateful that the right combination of medicine (which I could afford) and therapy has made it managable.
Other people are not so lucky, which is why I am raising money for them. (Hint: our big fundraising event is Sunday. I will take a buck, five bucks - anything is appreciated!)
Hope motivates me. I am not unreasonably optimistic, but I try to find the good and the reason in everything that happens. Trust me, it took a long time to get to this point - I remember ranting at an AA meeting a dozen years ago because someone was saying how grateful she was for all of the good things in her life. I was just a few weeks into sobriety and mad as hell at everything - and I said, "I'm so SICK of people saying how grateful they are!" The woman who had shared just smiled at me serenely.
She was right. There is a lot to be grateful for.
What motivates you?
15 comments:
I love your list, Twin. ;-)
Excellent listing. I'm easily motivated. for any cause, fundraiser and such. Of course anything family related gets my immediate attention.
Great stuff sweetie...there really is so much to be grateful for. Thanks for the shout out! :-)
Cxx
You are a very special person RK. You have some gifts many people don't know they have, or just don't have.
Interesting post R Kitty, you may have even insired me to blog about it. Not sure I'll sound as grateful as you do though!
Awwwwwwww! GE, I have heard that before - but I don't think it was meant in an especially flattering way ;)
I am inspired by your ability to kick ass and take names. I wish I had your fire, babe. Maybe I'm the quiet one, but I'd love to be able to cuss like you and pull it off!!
Lovely post!
You rock, RK. It's just so great to know there are such wonderful people out there like you :-) Keep up the great work!
Can I clone you all?
PG: QUIET? Bwahahaha!
It sounds counter-intuitive, but sometimes a LACK of motivation motivates me. Think on it for a while...it actually makes sense in a weird way.
I think that, like me, finding good opportunities to swear creatively motivates you a lot of the time.
Nice post.
Those are great motivators. I love that you didn't say "money" :)
Fantastic post! I read Claire's as well and loved it, too!
You've shared a lot about yourself here and I just keep appreciating you more and more.
You're a rare find.
This was a very touching post, RK. It keeps life more pleasant to stay focused on what we have rather than on the things we think we *should* have.
Verification word: nobato as in Mr. Robato.
Injustice not only motivates me but gets me out in the street with my signs..
good Post Kitty..
Post a Comment