What Motivates You?

Daily Writing Prompt 2036

What motivates you?

That is an interesting question. I am definitely motivated, but what’s the source? I was raised on a dairy farm, where hard work seven days a week was the norm. But why now? I am motivated to write my books; I am motivated to provide for my family; I am motivated to finish renovations on my house; I am motivated to take care of my pets and livestock, but what is the source of this motivation?

Superficially, it’s the expectations of others. I want my children to be happy and successful. I want to finish stories and get them published for my readers, as well as to build my portfolio. I want to finish the house to make my wife happy. I want to care for the dogs and chickens because they want and deserve to be fed, cared for, and happy. But it goes deeper than that.

I have an ingrained need to make things, solve problems, and get things done. It’s all really self-serving. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment of finishing a project. I enjoy the challenges involved in getting there, much as I might swear at and disparage the original builder of my home, whose messes I’m facing and fixing at every turn. I enjoy the happy dances and clucking when it’s mealtime for the dogs and chickens. I enjoyed watching two baby pigeons we were forced to hand raise, after I accidentally destroyed their nest, grow into adults, and head out into the world. I enjoyed that with my children as well, though they were not accidents.

I guess, in the end, I’m just a selfish guy who has worked his ass off his entire life to satisfy his need for self-worth.

Best regards,

Julian