What Motivates You to Grow?
Be here now.
For twenty years, my research has shown that the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life. It can determine whether you become the person you want to be and whether you accomplish the things you value. How does this happen? How can a simple belief have the power to transform your psychology and, as a result, your life? — Carol Dwek, Professor of Psychology
Ever since I was a little kid, books, ideas, art, and cultures fascinated me deeply.
Although living in a small town in a country that few people could pinpoint on the map, and in a time where technology and affordable travel were still alien concepts, I was fortunate enough to be exposed to foreign languages from a very early age (for instance, I literally started learning English when I was just 3 years old, which was, let’s say, a small feat for a non-native).
That was perhaps my very first gateway to open-mindedness and growth — and years of learning new languages and immersing into cultures through literature, cinematography, art and the occasional trip to certain countries had a life-altering effect on me. All these things allowed me to rewire my brain — and completely challenge the social, cultural and identity construct imbued by my family and geographical location.
Throughout my life, as a young adult in my 20s, I continued to reinforce my passion for learning, curiosity and growth. I studied (officially and on my own), read voraciously everything I could get my hands on from fiction to fantasy to philosophy to poetry, made friends all around the world, visually journeyed through all the film genres out there, brushed my knowledge about art, lived life fully (yes, I am a self-proclaimed bohemian, mind you), travelled often, and never stopped questioning existence.
What I am trying to say is that, at that point in my life, immersing into languages, books and art was my main source of motivation so that I could build a more exciting reality than the one I was living in — and hope to turn that temporary reality into a permanent one in the future.
That was my mission. That what my motivation. To live a rich life of diversity. To understand how people from a different culture think and live. To adapt. To feel as if I belong in a foreign land. Essentially, to live the life that skidded me off the usual road I was meant to follow.
But while my early 20s were all about absorbing all those experiences, lessons and information, my early 30s became a different story: a space of quiet confidence, clarity, depth, connectedness and awareness. Time became more precious. Relationships became important. Choices became more real. Weighing decisions and having clarity about adopting them had to be part of the adult equation. And with all these factors, the idea of looking inward and getting in sync with myself rather than searching for validation from external factors became my main motivation.
I’ll be honest; my interests never changed. I still read as much (although I am more geared towards personal growth, psychology and self-improvement), I still live and breathe humanities, and I’m still really blessed to travel to any destination in the world I set my mind to explore.
The idea is that I really believe that while human beings are wired to evolve and elevate themselves as they grow older, their core personality remains but the idea of constantly challenging themselves is a modern construct that has its toll on our mental health.
But my motivation has taken quite a subtle turn. Whereas 10 years ago, I’d search for experiences outside of the self, today, I am using my lifelong resources to create a space that allows me to build a thriving inner life — and to pursue my dreams with more acceptance, more awareness and less fear.
Today, my aim is to become more connected with my being, to cherish the present moment, to build solid and authentic relationships, to be grateful for all the experiences I’ve been blessed with, to be aware of my connection to the world, to be present, and to always notice the details that I’d otherwise miss out due to the chaotic world we live in.
Lately, to learn these practices, I focused on reading some books that really guide you into mindfulness.
One is Thich Nhat Hanh’s “Peace Is Every Step — The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life”, a wonderful, little book on the blend of traditional Buddhist morality and contemporary social concerns. For those who don’t know, Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered throughout the world for his powerful teachings and writings.
I was particularly impressed by his engaged Buddhism practice, where followers can seek ways to apply the insights from meditation practice and dharma teachings to situations of social, political, environmental, and economic suffering and injustice.
As I was reading his book filled with timeless wisdom that you can easily apply in everyday modern life, I couldn’t stop feeling a sense of relief, serenity and joy overcoming me.
Life is here for us to enjoy, right this very moment. Our choices make us who we are and how we live each day is essentially how we live our life.
Our motivating force should be to keep on learning who we are, what makes us “us” and how to feel alive by completely living in the present.
The benefits will be infinite.
“Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. Every breath we take, every step we take, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
