Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Inspiration VS. Desperation

      In a conversation with a friend over a month ago, on a particularly rough day for myself, my friend explained a theory to me that I had never heard. Since then, in almost every situation I've begun to take a pause and ask myself, what division of choice am I standing on at the moment.

       It was explained to me, that in every single thing a human does, taking it beyond the steps of basic needs and survival mode to the intellectual travel of things, we all do things based on inspiration or desperation.

       Essentially, every single solitary thing we do in every single solitary moment of our days, we are motivated by either inspiration or desperation, it's basic human nature.

       Now, at first I was a bit reluctant to buy into this theory. Because it seemed or sounded, like basing your days teeter tottering between inspiration and desperation appeared almost medieval like. But the more I thought about it, and the more I incorporated it into my daily choice making, the more it made clarifying sense.

       For example, today I was inspired to take the day off work, there wasn't anything desperate happening at work so that factor being gone, made inspiration easy. On the flip side, if something was pressing at work, I would have made a non-inspired but rather desperation decision to get crap taken care of and gone to work.

       I felt inspired to write this entry, and was not just desperate for something to do on my day off. I was desperate for a Diet Coke an hour ago and went to the convenience store to buy one. I was inspired to pick up and clean my home this morning, but I can say if someone had called and said they were coming over in 45 minutes I would have been desperately running around my home cleaning before they got here.

       I am both inspired and desperate to pay my bills on time every month. Inspired not to have late bills in the mail and desperate to keep my credit nice and clean for fear of not financing something in the future if I needed it. I'm calling it all give and take of emotional thought and motivation.

       I am a master procrastinator.I have a problem, and this is my first admission, part of my 5 step plan, admission first. I realized when I applied this theory to my procrastination, that I am an abusive desperation user when it comes to this. Us procrastinators are not typically inspired to do things at our convenience, nope, we last minute people thrive on the power of desperation to get crap done in minimal amount of time to keep our noses clean.

       Now, the part thats been keeping my mind in working overtime, is thinking back over my life, to choices I made and the repercussions involved with my choices. I have to say, without a doubt, the majority of the choices I made that were wrong, were made out of desperation rather then inspiration. Thats a rather scary revelation.

       I write, a lot. All of my writing is based on inspiration and desperation. Sometimes I am inspired to write about something I am thinking about, mulling around and just juggling around in my mind <like this entry> and sometimes, I am desperate to get the louder then hell, mixed up mumble jumble out of my brain. I imagine if you've read my journal for a while, you could see the difference between my entries. One's written out of inspiration and the ones written out of desperation.

       I turned down my big bucks job offer. When I had applied this theory to my choice, I discovered a few things. One, I was not desperate for the money. Two I was not inspired by the power, money, or the position. I was not desperate enough to give up my life, but I was inspired to KEEP my current freedoms and independence. I was not in a desperate position when it was offered to me, and the perks were not inspiration enough to give up what I already have. Choice then was unbelievably easy. I choose to keep what I've already, between inspiration and desperation, built all on my own. My inspiration was in my current work, not another.

       Today I am inspired to take my daughters fishing after school. I am feeling rather desperate for some crisp fresh air. Thats the beauty of inspiration and desperation. They can both be beautiful things. Another one of those things, we can't have one without the other....................just something to think about~~

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting concept.  Never thought of it that way.  I am usually a believer in acting instead of reacting.  My problem in the past was passive decision making so by making a conscious choice and taking action I was able to have this defect lifted.  ~ Mike

Anonymous said...

That relates to something I read once, that human consciousness can be basically broken down into four states, only three of which I remember: "Hm!"  "Ow!" and "Yum!"  Has anyone else read "Earth," by David Brin, and remember the quote for me?

Anonymous said...

You've definitely given me a lot to think about Becky!
Lovish!
Connie

Anonymous said...

Interesting theory.  What about people who just jump into something without thinking at all? It's kind of a "Oh hell, why not" theory....which I have been guilty of on several ocassions.  Glad you are being true to yourself...Sandi http://journals.aol.com/sdoscher458/LifeIsFullOfSurprises

Anonymous said...

ok interesting:) now how goes the book?

Deb

Anonymous said...

Hope you and your daughter enjoyed the fishing trip.  And it is fantstic that you are so happy sounding.  Have another good tomorrow.  TerryAnn.  

Anonymous said...

Inspiration and desperation~how profound!

Glad you decided to not take the job.  I personally think you did good :)

Congrats....

Cat

Anonymous said...

WOW, WOW, and WOW.  I think this is my all time favorite entry so far...what a way to keep things in perspective.  thanks for the brain candy.  Oh...and...hehehe...I stood on my head too. ;)  C.  http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies

Anonymous said...

Actually, I have been applying this theory for years but just hadn't labeled it as such. It makes decisions easier and allows for a less stressful day. Always get inspiration from visiting you.

Spencer
http://spencersotherplace.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Wow.  A very interesting theory, to say the least.  It's almost like the "is it a WANT or NEED?" theory that I use often.  Almost.  I have something to think about now.  Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This journal entry was quite inspiring to me.  I think that I told you before, but just as a reminder, it was reading your journal and Omars that inspired me to start mines.

I am desperate to get my life, and to try and not hold back my feelings.

I remember this saying I saw on Star Trek Voyager, "Own the Day".  Thats what I want to do.

Anonymous said...

Words to live by.  I found this point of view....inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Aw, I'm so happy for you. I'm glad you made the choice you did. It just seemed so right, you know? Good for you.

Ari

Anonymous said...

very thought provoking..need to mull over this a bit...great wisdom as always.
http://momentsinmylifeambradream.blogspot.com/
http://journals.aol.com/jbenjack/MomentsinMyLife/

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the thoughtful essay. Now you've got me actually thinking, and I truly am desperate to be sleeping!  Paulette

Anonymous said...

Aw... so true, so true.  You've written it so well, and it makes total sense.  I haven't decided it I'm  "desparation/inspiration" type, or a "action/reaction" type.  lol  I'm sure I'm a little of both.  Glad you got out for some fishing!  I need to do the same!!!
http://boiseladie.blogspot.com/  

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love to feel inspired.  Really, it just feels good to have this overwhelming feeling of YES! THAT'S IT!  and then following through... Following through with something that calls for desperate measures can be rewarding as well.  You've inspired me often, and I'm still waiting for the right time to go off on my own solitary adventure!!  I'm desperate for spring so we can go on a fishing excursion as well!! (I'm not big on ICE and COLD...I'd move, but the snow is too dang pretty.)  Enjoy your weekend,  Michelle

Anonymous said...

hmmm, never thought about it that way before.  great entry, thought provoking

Anonymous said...

Never heard this theory before but I would say it is logical. The products I am most proud of are borne out of desperation or inspiration.  I express my desperation/inspiration in words and my variety of mediums. I am most productive when I am feeling intense emotions.

Anonymous said...

Ya just had to go share that one with us didnt ya !
Well thats me up for the night ! hehe
Im just trying to get myself out of hybernation mode and ya go hit the ole faltering grey matter with that one .
Hmmmm of to ponder .....EVERYTHING hehe
x

Anonymous said...

this is a really edifying frame of reference.
I am going to be thinking about it for awhile.
Hey, didja knowyou were the first person to ever comment on my journal?I was lookin g back at my first entry 'cause I just had my one year anniversay & there you were! See what you started!I am glad to still be online friends with you. I always come away with a new thought when I read your journal.
Marti

Anonymous said...

HEY REBECCA! Im trying to inspire myself to finish my novel...HELP Im getting desperate..roflmbooo..girl I love your entries. I have to sit and say..HMMMMM>>>DEEP! lol

FLAVA

Anonymous said...

... yes, definately something to think about. Thank you for sharing this theory.

Amanda :)
http://journals.aol.com/trickeytricky/CountryMyKindaLivin

Anonymous said...

That's an interesting theory.  After spending two months homebound and recovering, I am now better and am inspired to get rid of all my excess possesions and give them to people that need them more than I.

Anonymous said...

Glad you visited my journal and to see some of us are still alive enough to carry on!  Happy fishing, writing, and absorbtion of inspirations!
KIT @

Anonymous said...

Just checking in on you-where ya been? Hope all is well. Take Care
Stacy

Anonymous said...

That's really interesting. I am a fellow procrastinator and I really NEED to be working on my dissertation right now, instead I'm inspired to be reading blogs when I should be desperate to write. It was worth dropping by though you have given me something to think about.... p.s. enjoying the blog.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/scaptainscreamer/mentalhealthnurse/