Why do you do what you do? Does anyone know the answer? Is it because that's what your parents did or it is what you were taught it school? Why do people smoke when it says right on the package, "Using this product can kill you!" And yet, thousands upon thousands of people each day choose to light up or eat fatty foods or destroy personal relationships. It seems logical..... the difference between right and wrong but humans are driven by emotions that go way beyond sense and logic. Therein lays the problem.
Fear of failure is one of the strongest emotions know to man. Some people will behave as if they have no interest in improvement whatsoever to be able to avoid such a brutal emotion. No one wants to look stupid in front of their peers and will avoid it, if at all possible, by not trying at all. While others are every bit as fearful of success. It seems a bit contradictory but some people fear what success might bring into their life. They may have to change friends, they may have to change careers, leave a relationship, move to a new area or give up long held beliefs or habits. Others may fear the responsibilities which might come with that success or may be worried that if they achieve a high level now that this will become the new norm or standard and aren’t sure they want to keep working that hard.
So what is it that makes a difference in peoples lives? What shapes a person's ability to contribute to society?
Why is it that you can give a person everything they need to achieve a specific goal such as an education, money, time and support and in the end they still haven't accomplished anything but you can take someone else who has been abused physically or mentally and they become some of the worlds biggest contributors? These are some of life's biggest questions.
I believe however, with the right emotion, anything can be possible. The hungry can be fed, the wounded healed and unbelieving made to believe. But beyond the physical needs of humans, such as food and water, the next most important need is the need to be understood or to be recognized. Other main needs are: certainty, significance, variety, connection/love, growth and contribution. These needs are all connected to fulfillment. Regardless of which need tops your list remember........A life fulfilled is one that gives beyond itself.
