Help Me Win $5000 And A New Ford Territory For A Year
This post was going to be about being driven.
It was going to be about that aspect of my personality that is dogged, that meant I had my L plates on the very first day I could after turning 16, that means after Bliss was born I studied, worked and raised her as a sometimes SAHM sometimes WAHM, complete with HD grades. It was going to be about why my husband is always slightly concerned when I “suggest” something – he knows that once I’ve set my mind to something I become very single focused until it happens.
It was going to be about that, and about finding what drives you and making the most out of it.
But it’s not.
I have been reminded that being driven also means being blinkered. And that being “busy” is a bad thing.
And something that has been stirring beneath my consciousness, deeply buried but every so often bubbling almost to the surface, is a word that popped through yesterday;
Selfish.
It’s something that’s been niggling away without me quite putting my finger on it. Until now.
When you are driven, and thus blinkered, there are only so many choices you can make, only so many priorities you can have, (and blinked or not), there are only so many ways you can spend your time. And so you make those choices, and you make them for you and for the end goal you have in sight.
It’s not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there is something selfish about it.
And there can be a lot wrong with being selfish.
So I’m on journey to find a path between being driven and grounded – a path that keeps my personal goals and my relational priorities in check.
I love that I am a driven person, I appreciate the genes I was given on that front but I value my relationships too much to let personal “goals” damage the things that really matter to me, and that make the achievement of those goals worthwhile.
I’m glad I’m driven, but to be a bit corny, I want to make sure I’m driving in the right direction.
What path are you on at the moment?
This post is part of the Kidspot Top 50 competition. There are some amazing other posts that you should definitely have a read of: Eden, Maid In Australia, Nikki are just some of them.
Mummble
Stitch Baby + Kids
Great entry, Louisa – and thank-you so much for including a link to mine. It’s been a fun competition to be part of – and I’ve enjoyed reading as many of the entries as possible. This blogging community is blessed with some incredible writers.
I think finding the middle path is the trickiest bit of all.
Veronica recently posted..The days are long- but the years are short
Oh I totally agree with Veronica’s comment. Finding balance is a passion of mine and a continual struggle! But without “Driven People” where would this world be? How many fabulous things would not have happened. When I first came across your blog you were “driven” to get toys to the Christmas Is kids ….. and your vision and passion had me hooked. Keep driving – just make sure you re-fuel, get mechanical checkups and balance your wheels regularly (sorry – I know – couldn’t help myself) Cazxx
Caz recently posted..Moving to self hosted Word Press
An interesting perspective, Louisa. I am slowly learning that being selfish is actually a good thing, selfishness being defined as doing what is best for me, doing what makes me happy. I believe that if I am happy, my children will be happy. This perspective has made me look deeply into what really makes me happy and I’ve discovered that perhaps it is not necessarily the same thing that has been hammered into me from birth by my parents and society. Freedom, nature, new perspectives and new experiences make me happy. Following my heart and my intuition makes me happy. So, what path am I on? A path to happiness…
Dorothy recently posted..Parenting- Footy and Rock-climbing
Well then, I trust that you’ll be driven in finding a path between being driven and being grounded. :-)
Beautifully written Louisa – a joy to read and a great thing to focus on. I have the same struggle and can’t quite agree with Dorothy … what makes me happy (a feeling of accomplishment, a ‘job well done’) is not always what is best for my kids or family life. Because kids and the way they live their lives are not things on my to do list to tick off … and quality time playing tents with my Miss3 might make her deliriously happy but not check a box with me. So you’re right, there’s a balance to be found, because a happy, inspired, and fulfilled mummy is important for kids too.
PS – How do we help you win the prize? Do we ‘like’ or share or go to Kidspot and vote?