A long time ago I came to the realization that reasons matter most. It’s basic. We do things SO THAT something else happens, or can begin, or is satisfied. Without reasons it all goes dry.
I remember experiencing that in earlier days. There was a lot I hadn’t learned yet, but through a series of circumstances, even “successes,” I’d come to the conclusion that there was no great reason to strive further. You’d think that was ultimate. Perfect. Complete. But it was just the opposite; I was left empty.
We need to be active, occupied and purposeful to be happy . . . to be compete human beings. But we can’t be these things in a vacuum, doing them for their own sakes; we need reasons.
Even the writer of the book of Ecclesiastes said it, a number of times in a number of ways. He’d reached the heights of what a human being can do and have and experience but in the end found it all meaningless. He’d lost his reasons.*
Without a vision the people perish. That’s another from Scripture.**
At the beginning of this year, around the time I often reflect on where I am and what’s next, I wrote a list. But instead of activities and goals, I listed reasons. What are the deep seated motivators I can identify for doing anything. For living.
It was good. It even helped pull me out of a slight slump. How I might address these things can be varied, and changing as I go. But the reasons I do them are fixed, foundational, and life-savingly motivating.
I recommend it. You may not need such a list. Your sense of reasons may be so overwhelmingly complete you don’t even know they’re there. That’s good.
On the other hand, it might help. Do it SO THAT. It could make all the difference.
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* For this and more, see my book, It’s About Life, featured at right.
** Proverbs 29:18
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
12:48 pm
Like water to a parched soul, you just about always hit the nail on the head. Thank you Hyatt!
1:13 pm
Good thoughts, Hyatt. Ever since I introduced to my piano students the idea that the reason why they might learn a piece of music would be to offer it to another, their enthusiasm has grown hugely. The old adage, “I just play for myself” never seems to fulfill. But to give away a talent to another, so as to uplift, bring a sense of beauty or wonder, or simply to say, “I love you,” increases the motivation factor ten-fold. The reasons behind our actions are, truly, underestimated.
5:27 pm
Very good. Nice to see your blog again.
10:16 am
Gets back to a “purpose driven” life. Thanks, thought provoking.
8:46 am
Thanks Hyatt. So good.
1:35 am
Excellent. So helpful. Thank you.