Why Do We Do What We Do?

I am blessed to be surrounded by young adults. I work with multiple intelligent, full of life young women, we have one living with us presently and of course our own wonderful kids. Conversations and observations with all of them have made me think. What do we base our life on? Why do we do the things we do? Have you thought about it?

Do you do what you do because you were raised that way? I have in much of my life. I was raised eating “real” food, for the most part. My mom cooked from scratch most of the time. That is how I have cooked over the years. We have benefited with pretty good health…and a love of desserts.

Do you enjoy music? Did you have lessons as a child? Were you taught that only classical music was “real” music or were you exposed to all styles. I grew up with a neighboring family who loved music. You might find them polka-ing on a Saturday night, sounds of  rock and roll guitar coming from the upstairs bedroom or “band” practice for school happening anywhere. I loved it and music continues to be a big part of my life.

I love to read and learn. My mom read the paper, magazines and books. She took me to the library on a weekly basis and allowed me to buy books from those little paper magazines they would give you at school about every other month.

I try to take care of my possessions and my family. My parents bought a farm and they worked hard to take care of it. They were always mowing, painting and fixing the property. I also witnessed them caring for their parents. My grandparents were in and out of our home not only for special occasions but to get their hair cut or be driven to an appointment or the grocery store if needed. My mom’s sister’s helped my Mom with my brother and I when she was a single mom. My mom’s sister’s did all they could for her right up till the moment she died.

I’ve tried things over the years, public things like singing and speaking in public. This is the opposite of the way I was raised. My Dad says all the time that he can’t speak in front of people. They never stopped me from trying things but they never “encouraged” it either. They did let it happen. So in this case you might say I do what I do because I choose the opposite of what I saw.

So again I ask, why do you do the things you do and more importantly are you “doing” what you want to pass on?  Opinions and values are not only shared through the media and direct discussion. In fact less than we’d like to realize is actually “taught” in a formal education way. The truth is whether we intend to or not we are “passing on” our opinions/values by the way we live. Do you believe this? What are you passion on?