Motivation Paper for Psychology

Stereotypes are my worst enemy, and assumptions are my biggest pet peeve. I do not think that I could say I am particularly motivated to reach a single particular place or goal. I am adventurous, easily exciteable, and impulsive. This means that I am constantly changing hobbies, habits, and routines. Instead, I would have to say I am motivated simply to succeed at whatever it is I am participating in at the time. It also becomes more compelling and worth while to me as people doubt my ability. I love to surprise people and prove them wrong. I show them that I can do anything I put my mind to, I never give up, and I refuse to be underestimated due to gender or size.




But every story has got to start somewhere right? So my story would have to begin at age four with city league T-ball. The Cardinals were the best and I wanted to be the best of the best. I wanted to hear my momma and daddy screaming the loudest at the side lines, and "Way to go baby!" sounded much nicer(and much less embarassing) then "What are you doing out there?!" So sports took up most of my time and focus. I enjoyed them. So don't get me wrong. I wasn't one of those kids who was forced into sports by vicarious parents. I actually enjoyed competing. Only, looking back now, maybe that's not even true. I think my favorite part of sports was the praise and attention for succeeding. I hated getting lectured on the way home about the strikes I made swinging too fast, shots I took too far outside, or digs I should've made. So I would go home and practice for hours upon hours, constantly challenging my brother(and always becoming more angry losing to a nearly two hundred pound, foot taller, three years older opponent.) It's easy enough to admit that I am extremely competitive. And so this life style of giving my all, practicing all the time, and challenging myself to meet, beat, and exceed status quo followed through eleven years of softball, six years of basketball, four years of volleyball, two years of cheerleading, and occassional/seasonal tennis.



The sports are easy to put value on. There's the simple cost for joining, always cheeper for city league than school and travel sports of course. Uniforms and trophies threw in a couple hundred. The most expensive was by far high school cheerleading. The athletic gives little to nothing to our sponsorship and so every uniform, pompom, weather gear, bag, sweat suit, t-shirt, and camp came directly from pocket. Fundraisors were there, but little is made from a car wash with donation pay and our kiddie camp money was even stolen from us my junior year. Through two years, I easily surpassed the point of fifteen hundred dollars. Practice is all day every day. If you're not physically playing the sport, you're probably going over plays and strategies in your head. Most sports, in the simplest of definitions, take at least four to five days a week, but there's really no such thing as a 'day off.' So time is definitely a huge choice and dedication to sacrifice.



However, with age, things changed. My competitive manor, diligent attitude, and flat out obssession with success transferred to more than just sports. School became a constant competition with my siblings. My mother has always been extremely tight on school expectations and failure or even below average were not accepted in my household. Excuses were never accepted. Every 'B' was "only (so) many points from an 'A.'" I also wanted to always be involved in clubs and committees. Basically anything I did had to be top notch or got scratched and redone. My obssessive compulsion was relunctant to join in and help out at a young age. Art projects always took twice as long compared to other students and any diagram "sketched" in my notes had far too much detail. The complusion to succeed can be placed in any situation at all in my life and that's exactly where I put it. It went into sports, grades, hobbies, college applications, job searches, road tests, board games, and so the list continues. I became thrilled by the idea of taking someone's doubt in me and transforming it into surprise and pride. I think the greatest word anyone can use to me in praise is "impressed." That right there is success.



A lot of kids despise their parents for all the pressure and expectations, but I don't. Sure, at some times, it was aggravating and heart breaking. No one enjoys feeling less than adequate or not good enough. Everyone finds a little joy in being exceptional. Without their push, I wouldn't have my competitive outlook. Yes, it may be inconvenient when friends want to "play for fun," but mostly it just gives me the nudge I need to push on and give all that I have and not take less than I deserve. Motivation to exceed in life is the best you can have in my opinion, and it's even something that I pine for when searching for a 'significant other.' No, I will not sit lazily all day and accept not accomplishing something each and every day. I don't need a first place trophy every day, but it can just be a simple task of getting what needs to be done accomplished. I could never accept someone who is okay with not succeding in school, not succeding in the work force, and not furthering their education and economic status. It's the way I was raised and the way that I will raise my children. My name is Kasey Blair Nixon. I am motivated to succeed, and I will.

Random tangent on the 'L' word

“Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost.”

This right here is why things fall apart. FEAR. We feel our grip begin to slip so we hold on tighter which in turn usually leads the the tension growth the the so believed 'one' to suddenly push away. To turn in to a stranger. We've all been fooled. Our ignorance is not our fault. Love movies through the centuries have made us smile upon and believe the idea that when love forms, it's over days, not years. And when we decide to share our feelings, the object of our infatuation suddenly breaks down and says they feel the same and it always ends happily ever after. But I've never seen that happen. Have you? As soon as the 'L' word pops into existance, bags are packed. It's 'all going too fast.' Or it sticks for a few weeks with a weak definition. A false identity. Do you even know what 'love' means when you use it? Few these days do. Love doesn't mean that I really really like you. Love means I'm here for you and I'm not going anywhere. Love means that your happiness is essential to my own. Love means that without you, I am lost and I'd rather die in this moment than hurt you or live without you in my life. Love means that you are the only one who makes me feel this way and no one else is worth losing this. And I'm referring to all loves. Yes, a little more direct towards romantic relationships but these definitions remain true through all situations. Growing up is learning to think and use your words wisely. To be smarter than to through aroung emotions like saturday football. Realize that a relationship is made of two. That every decision, every word, every action now effects two bodies. Love is built on trust, and trust comes from vulnerablilty. Love means you have the power to tear my whole world to pieces, but I'm trusting you not to. In a relationship, there has to be space. Time do your own thing. Time to be independent because you cannot be dependent on the other person. You have to let each other know that it's okay to spend time with other people on your own because I know that you'll come back to me. I know you won't do anything to disrespect me. It's a big decision, a big responsibility, and a big struggle but nothing good comes from suffucating one another. Love is making two lives fit into one, but it's still two different people. So before you decide to vocalize this word and before you run from or to it from the lips of another you need one more word. Respect. Be gentle. Be understanding. Be selfless. And most important of all, be mature.

This time, you win.

Kiss me.

Look me in the eyes.

Make me addicted.

Feed me your list of lines.

Act like you'll stay.

Make me miss you.

Call me just to say goodnight.

Make your words sound true.

Hold me close.

Tell me it's forever.

Whisper your secrets.

Tell me we're better together.

I'll put things on the line.

I'll lay it on my sleeve.

I'll tell you everything.

I'll trust you not to leave.

I'll think about you.

I'll fall.

Lie to me.

Walk away with it all.

Leave me broken.

No pain will compare.

Don't call.

Don't act like you care.

I'll sit alone.

I'll cry.

I'll question myself.

I'll wonder why.

This time you win.

I guess forever isn't as long as I believed.

I'm not as strong as I thought I was.

You're far from what first sight perceived.

Go Tell It On the Playground

We all remember the playground game of tag. Some of us may even still play it in Walmart just for fun ;)  However, have you ever thought about making the school yard game a parallel to witnessing to sinners for God?  So, here's how the game normally goes.  One person is picked to start the game as 'It' and the rest of the players scatter and try not to get tagged. Once someone is tagged, they are now 'it' and have to chase down and tag someone else.  The game goes on until the bell rings. No time outs. 

With religion, we can play this game with the entire world. We're all born sinners who 'run' from God.  Some fight much harder- run faster, longer- to keep from being converted into a believer.  So, here's how our new remix of the game goes.  You're 'it.' I'm 'it.' All believers in Christ are 'it.'  It's our job to chase down and 'tag' non-believers.  It won't always be easy.  Some people may be faster than you.  They may have all the right arguments.  They may have the 'know-it-all, untouchable' attitude, but everyone gets tired in time so don't give up until the chase is done.  Sometimes you may trip and fall.  Temptation is sweet, and it's all around you.  These times will be difficult.  It gives the runner the advantage to get away with some extra time, or some may even turn around to rub it in your face.  Get back up, dust your self off, and keep the chase going. 

The most important part, however, is that you don't stop until the bell rings.  We can't take breaks.  You never know what could happen that could make today your last chance.  Continue to run hard and to keep trying and go for all that you can.  There's no limit to how many people you can tag.  And let me tell you,  the feeling you get once you tag someone is unbelievable.  We are all put on this earth for a purpose and the impact that we have the ability to make is unimaginable.  The possibilities are endless.  So, now the game begins. 'Your It' :)

Mark 16:15

Jesus said to his followers, "Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.

God's Protection on the Battlefield

Jeremiah 15:20
“I will make you as strong as a wall to this people, as strong as a wall of bronze. They will fight against you but they will not defeat you for I am with you,” says the Lord, “I will rescue you and save you.”

In our high school career alone, we’ll experience countless battles. As we struggle for time between school, sports, jobs, and homework. Battles with friends, family, team mates, and co-workers. Inner battles when trying to make the righteous decision that will please God and maybe not our peers. We will struggle to remain above the influence and pressure of temptation around us. God will test us each and every day, and we will be defined by how we conquer and react to each one.

Proverbs 24:10
If you give up when trouble comes, it shows that you are weak.
And trouble will come. Stress and anger and dissatisfaction will be shoved in your face. You’ll stand toe-to-toe with all kinds of conflict. But with God on our side, what do we have to fear?

 

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ our Savior who rescues me.

 

God has told us time and time again that he'll will never give us more than we can handle. So if you're in this ridiculously tough situation, it's because God knows that you are strong enough to push through it.

Proverbs 18:10
The Lord is like a strong tower; those who do right can run to him for safety.

However, it’s no free ride. There is a catch. “THOSE WHO DO RIGHT.” Those who worship selflessly and whole-heartedly. Those who humble themselves and sacrifice time and money to serve the Lord. You have nothing to be afraid of. Nothing and no one is greater than our God.

Proverbs 24:16
Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated, but the wicked are overwhelmed by trouble.

The words are set in stone. It’s done, no questions asked. All we have to do is trust him. We don’t have to be tough and do it alone because our savior will not forsake us and we can always turn to him.

Proverbs 16:3
Depend on the Lord in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Just because you see someone doing wrong and getting away with it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have it under control. We don’t need to try to take it into our own hands. Keep your eyes on the path God has set in front of you.

Proverbs 2:8
He makes sure justice is done, and he protects those who are loyal to him.

So just trust God. He’s almighty and more powerful than anything else. I’ll leave you with these last verses of reassurance.

Proverbs 4:12-13
“I am guiding you in the way of wisdom, and I am leading you on the right path. Nothing will hold you back; you will not be overwhelmed.”

Did you hear....?

We all know 'Ripley's: Believe It or Not'. Well, the Bible remix would be 'God:Believe in Him or Rot'. Yes, it's both slightly depressing and blunt but our life or death due to religious beliefs, though very important, aren't the particular point of this blog. My focus is what we choose to believe. It struck me when I read 1 John 1:2.

He who gives life was shown to us. We saw him and can give proof about it. And now we announce to you that he has life that continues forever. He was with God the Father and was shown to us.

Proof. How do we choose when it's necessary? How many times do you arrive at school and learn that Cindy Lou went to this crazy party and got 'totally trashed' and got in a wreck and had both legs amputated and her face re-done(this is exagerrated but stay with me) and by third period the whole school is buzzin. Next thing you know, you walk in to fourth period and there Cindy Lou is smilin in her desk legs and all. Who asked for a referance? Who asked for validity? Who bothered to ask 'how do you know'? No one. We all just took it and ran.

Now, preach that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made the universe in 7 days and who's laughing it off? Who's badgering you for 'proof'. Sand samples and fossilized ferns. Who's askin to see what proves that God flooded the Earth. Suddenly, we're all drivin to find tangible evidence. Fair? Stevie Jo who heard from Bo John  who heard from Sheila Lyn is point on as a needle, but the word of God is worthy of doubt?

John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."