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resetting motivation

1/8/2019

7 Comments

 
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When I read or listen to the words of others talking about engaging in + maintaining habits like minimalism or healthy eating or zero-waste or sticking to a budget...they often offer motivations like the desire to travel* more or to lose x number of pounds or to fit their trash into a jar or to pay off loads of credit card debt. These motivations are concrete + measurable. They can be accomplished + lived. 

I hear these messages + wonder: What is my motivation? Am I at a point where I am just trying to maintain...to stay out of debt (other than our mortgage), to keep my wardrobe small, my purchases as fair as possible + my home free from the unnecessary? Yes, there is that. But should I be basing my life on experiences or making it a goal to travel more? Should I make a bucket list? Should I always be looking for the next thing?

I've struggled to think of what my motivation could be. I love things like experiences + travel. They just don't totally speak to me as a major motivation right now. 

I've finally worked out what my motivation is for myself through writing. I wrote + wrote until my mind came around to recognizing my personal motivation...compassion. It feels silly to have struggled so long...once I reached this conclusion. It's right there in the description of this space. Compassion motivates me to consider my tribe, my body, fellow humans, farmers, garment workers + the planet in my choices. It just seems a bit out of step with the motivations others offer as their own perfectly wonderful examples. 

Sometimes motivation is easy to recognize. Maybe our goals provide their own motivation. Maybe zero debt is the motivation. Maybe setting up a simple life in order to work a job that engages a passion is the motivation. Motivation might be a little bit harder to label once the debt is paid off + the job is landed. Maybe we pursue contentment or gratitude in the life we worked toward + now inhabit. Maybe we can pursue growth or awareness right where we find ourselves. Maybe faith or open hands or generosity or service is our motivation. 

Motivation can be the talisman that refocuses...the crutch that helps us take another step...the grit pushes us to persevere. Motivations come in so many different forms. Taking the time to find the right one for right now can be so helpful moving forward into a new year full of possibility + hope. 

* various motivators are in italics

Love, 
Jane
7 Comments
Emily
1/8/2019 09:43:16 am

Well said, thanks!

Reply
Lesley
1/8/2019 11:37:56 am

Jane, this really spoke to me this morning. I keep saying to myself, all you can do at this point is to take care of your own little corner of the world and do good deeds for others. I can be there for my daughter as she deals with compplex issues revolving around around her special needs child, or brighten the life of a terminally ill friend. We can be the light, so to speak. This brings me joy and purpose, to be a helper. Thank you again for clarifying issues for me!

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Jane link
1/9/2019 11:34:13 am

I'm glad this connected with you Emily + Lesley! Sometimes I'm not sure if my thoughts will make sense or have value to others. It's always nice to know that there is connection to be found! Your words are so beautiful, Lesley. They speak deeply to me...so thank you for sharing them. What a light you are! Peace + joy to you, my friends.

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Alix
1/8/2019 06:31:35 pm

I have been wondering about something in your lexicon, and I hope this does not come across as critical (just curious). You often use the word "tribe" to refer to your family, and I've been hearing a lot of discussion in the ethical fashion community about cultural appropriation of these types of words. I don't mean to assume that you don't have Native American heritage, but just wondering how you feel about the use of this term in that context.

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Jane link
1/9/2019 02:06:15 pm

It's interesting that you bring this up, Alix, because lately every time I type that word...I hesitate. My response here became quite long, so I'm going to put it up tomorrow as a post. Please keep the conversation going. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. :)

Reply
Julie
1/9/2019 07:35:05 am

Compassion is a beautiful motivation. I've mulled the same thing over and over in my head. I'm not sure if it's my motivation, purpose or goal (and perhaps it touches on all three), but I keep landing at "take only what you need." It doesn't totally encompass my motivations, but it provides some definition in how I want and choose to live. As always, you provide such thought provoking posts. Thank you.

Reply
Jane link
1/9/2019 02:28:36 pm

"Take only what you need" is a great one! It's hard to get one little mantra to encapsulate our motivation, but that one is inspiring. Thank you for the conversation + your friendship! :)

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