Why We Do What We Do

“The reason we grow is so we have something to give of value.” Tony Robbins

Why We Do What We Do

Thank you so very much for reading and sharing my last post. I heard from strangers and many people I hadn’t talked to in years. Apparently, there were tears. I hope they were inspirational tears. When I saw the stats on readers for my post about the accident I was blown away! My next thought was….now what? As much as I love my desserts, writing about chocolate chip cookies stuffed with Oreo’s wasn’t going to be a fitting follow-up.

I thought I should just take a break and work on my young adult (YA) romance instead but my boss (me) wouldn’t give me the day off. She’s such a hard***.

Then I found this Tony Robbin’s video titled: Why we do what we do. I suppose I ask myself this question a lot because I choose to spend many hours writing when there are a plethora of other things I could be doing. Why? Tony Robbins says that there are six human needs. The first four are needs of the personality and the last two are needs of the spirit.

Certainty
Uncertainty
Significance
Connection/Love
Grow
Contribute Beyond Ourselves

Writing fulfills every one of those needs. I have the certainty that I can make my own schedule and write every morning if I choose too. There’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty in writing! One of the greatest uncertainties is will I connect with readers? Is my writing good enough? Will my books sell? The reason I enjoy hearing from readers is because it validates for me the significance in what I’m doing. When someone tells me they loved my book or post I feel as though all those hours I spend writing are worth it. I feel a connection with people when they reach out to me because of something I’ve written. Some people, like my husband are gifted conversationalists. Eric can meet a stranger and know exactly what to say to make that person feel comfortable. Not me. Trying to hold a conversation with me can be a very awkward experience unless you’re a child or you’ve known me personally for a long time. Knowing I have this inability to hold conversations in person makes me very grateful to know I can at least communicate through my writing.

Tony Robbins goes on to say that the last two needs, growth and contribution beyond ourselves are needs of the spirit. When I began this blog several years ago one reason it was important to me was because I wanted to have a journal of my life. I had always wondered what my grandmother was like at my age. She was sixty when I was born and I would have liked to have known more about her earlier years. Then I realized in conversations with my kids that there was a lot I had forgotten about their childhood. Arielle would say, “remember the time we…” I would have little to no memory of it. Frightening that I could forget. This blog is snapshots of my life and thoughts. If I have grandchildren someday they will be able to see just how hip their grandma once was. So hip she used words like hip. Rad?

I found through writing that I’m growing–not only bigger because I spend so many hours sitting in front of a computer but inner growth. For example, writing about the accident forces me to explore many emotions. Even ten years later those emotions are strong, causing people who read my last post to tell me “I loved it and I hated it.” Writing about my life helps me grow, which in turn makes me able to either reach others through one of my life experiences or take those emotions I’ve felt and turn them into fiction. My writing is a contribution beyond myself when it reaches others and makes a difference in their life. That’s why I do what I do.

If you don’t have time to watch the entire video at least listen to his Thanksgiving story. Fast forward to 13:25. “The secret to living is giving.” Tony Robbins