Motivation.
Quite apart from how well each of us sings, the bigger question is why do we do it? Is it a worthy use of our time? Is it selfish? Why is she, with the poorer voice, so much more confident than I?
It has been said that motivation for anything in life comes from FEAR or SELFISHNESS. The first is called negative motivation, the second, positive motivation. I'm sure that this glib definition makes many feel very uncomfortable. However I contend that it is incorrect, biased and incomplete.
"Self destruction…Otherishness…Selfishness…Fear"…this is what I contend is the full range of motivation with various other mile posts within the spectrum. I view all this as a circle with FEAR in the lower right quadrant; SELF DESTRUCTION in the lower left quarter; SELFISHNESS in the upper right which leaves OTHERISHNESS in the upper left. I apologies for the use of the word "otherishness" but it is interesting that there does not appear to be a flippant word for the opposite of selfishness. ;)
Fear. I suggest that healthy fear is in fact the ultimate paralyzing trait with the motive of self-preservation. It is the suspension of all thought and action that is not in my own interest. It is therefore more selfish than ordinary selfishness, which is why I put it on the other side of the equation.
Self-destruction. This is the ultimate disinterest in self preservation. This may be moderated to withdrawal.
Both of these are destructive in their affect. The first (fear), causes you to become disillusioned with your efforts and may then move you directly to the other mode, (destruction). Self-destruction in singing, hopefully just causes you to give up and become a bus driver. If you happen to have seen the Robin Williams movie called "Patch Adams," you will have seen all this in action.
I have also seen the term "fear of selfishness" used. I cannot accept this term because to me it fails to recognize the "selfishness of fear". It has been stultified by the assertion that there are only two conditions. "Otherishness", or concern for others, is just as healthy as is "Selfishness", concern for oneself. One cannot exist without the other.
Most motivation papers I have read seem to become obsessed with the need to be selfish in order to get more of what you seek for yourself. Few appear to recognize that the more you give, the greater your return and the less frequent the excursions into the two negative quadrants, fear and self-destruction.
As an example or two, obsessive-compulsive falls between the fear and the selfish motives. Obsessing with the need to help others causes you to neglect yourself and ultimately be of no use whatever to others. This carried even further will lead to self-destruction.
It seems to me that in order to achieve our goals and stay away from fear in particular, we need to take a mind shift that sees us give more attention to the needs and desires of others. So THAT'S what children are for!!!!!!!!!!!
Regards Reg.
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