We all travel this journey that we call life in a body--a vehicle. For the sake of this metaphor, you can be whatever piston-engined vehicle you like. No metaphor is perfectly literal, which would defeat the purpose of metaphorical comparison--so combustion engines only, please. Thus, with turbofans out of the picture, my vehicle of choice is a Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair. Within your vehicle lies your mind, your heart--combined, your soul. This is your engine. Reverting to literalism here for a moment--this answers the age-old questions (one recently hijacked by the U.S. Army's PR department,) "what drives you?" Your engine drives you, in your vehicle. Your soul drives you, in life.
Now, speaking to the technical and historical critics, the engine in my Corsair should be a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp, 18 cylinder radial engine. For the sake of colloquy, however, I will set my cylinder count at a smaller number. Now, assume that your engine is well-maintained. That is, by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, you are driving or flying a safe, fueled vehicle. You are, outside our metaphor, a living, breathing human being with the oft-discounted privilege of homeostasis (give or take some sleep for some of us.) Your engine is capable of running. Now, hereon, forget entirely Maslow's Hierarchy because it is not a sufficient parallel to our metaphor (of note, most principles in psychology are under debate anyway.)
Suppose that each of your cylinders contains a piston which you consider to be a major operating piece of yourself. Not principles like achievement--those are contained within these cylinders, and are activated explosively with the periodic ignition of our spark plugs--instances that may be comparable to job promotions or simple boosts of morale or understanding within our cylinders. The pistons themselves are categories through which we very strongly prefer to reach our goals of belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Examples of mine are (in no particular order,) academic learning, engineering, and travel / environmental exploration.
When all cylinders are firing in a majestic symphony of carbonization--that is when we drive the fastest or fly the highest. Those times when the stars seem to align, when we feel the might and motivation to take on the world one-handed--that is when the firing order is clean and the timing is golden. If a piston isn't too happy with its operation--that is when we need some maintenance in that category. If the chamber in any of them is devoid of a piston entirely--that is when we feel a overshadowing emptiness that lugs the engine and drops our altitude or drags the speedometer down from redline. When you lose oil pressure and your machine sputters and dies, you have time to revive it--or you can bail, but in this beast there are no parachutes. Your engine needs success, encouragement, fulfillment in all categories to keep you in flight.
My engine, for example, is missing at least one piston. Giving it more fuel or air will just upset the ratio. Regardless of what I do, I can't run any smoother without that last cylinder. I am airborne, for sure, but I don't feel fulfilled. The scope of my perspective on life is adequate, but I know the horizons can expand. To do so, you should learn about the things you want to and strive for success in the most important aspects of your life. Love the ones you feel deserve it--if they are the missing piston, find them. Overtake the speed you're running now; exceed your current cruising altitude. This road and atmosphere are limitless.
Current Mood: Distant
Listening To: "Swallowed in the Sea" by Coldplay
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