What Do People Want?

            They want to find something they are passionate about. Often, that is their work, and in that choice, their labor transforms their identity.  Or perhaps it’s their relationships with people that they share their daily lives and efforts with? Some even substitute what they have, what they own, as a proxy for being honest about who they are.  So we want to do something that matters to us, meaningful experiences; more than meeting an income or other material need. Incentives and benefits are just trade-in-kind for life’s precious time. Doing it well promotes a sense of authentic. Educating people is important but not enough. Many of our most educated people are operating at quarter speed, unsure of their place in the world, contributing too little under the pretext they perceive themselves as spectators, isolated from feeling connected to the reason of action.

    Encouragement to aspire is by far the greatest primer to enthusiasm I can think of, and its roots are deep within the hearts of those who readily and easily care. It’s a travesty to settle for less than a life we love.  We seek our homes, where our hearts and minds can rest, and in looking for our place feel the unease at how many choices do not sedate our need.  Slowly and unwittingly we become afraid of the unfamiliar.  We anxiously settle. 

Why am I here?

What should I do?

Where is my place?

Should I go? 

What should I do now?

  Questions that suggest peril should we error, as we acknowledge we do not have a ready reply.  Vow to not be scared of what you don’t know.  Get rid of the paralysis of dreading punishment for trying. Taking comfort in the familiar over a thirst for discovery is abandoning the very essential skill in exploring.  Doing so is an acceptance of less than our daring hearts desire. So whenever we come across the revealed truth and its wonder, let there be a pause of relief and laughter.  Finding out there are no monsters coiled to pounce, only shadows cast by the items we leave laying about.  Then, once more, feel at home.

“….I used to treasure the innocence of first love.  Now I treasure the hard-fought.  I used to want to change the world.  Now I’m open to letting it change me.”