My daughter and I are driving around her new city of Los Angeles. What a trip! There is so much going on- people crossing the street, drivers turning against lights, people backing up into the oncoming traffic. It takes all my attention just to avoid getting hit. She has to learn to navigate this city and the driving. I am sure, in time, she will.

This city is such a study in contrasts. We drive and see a Bugatti, other luxury cars, multimillion dollar houses. A few blocks later we, see obvious addicts, passed out on the sidewalk, drinking from a vodka bottle, and stick-thin stumbling addicts walking on the street talking to themselves.

Perhaps the Bugatti points to an addiction, a need for something. Just like the obvious addict on the street, the drive to have something outside of ourselves can be destructive.
We think only those that obviously destroy lives and render people jobless and homeless are impactful. Just makes me think- what addicts us and what is the impact.
In this city of contrasts, the drive to get ahead, the drive to acquire luxury can be an addiction. Anything that causes you to be ‘driven’ I expect can be an addiction. Not all of them are bad, yet they all have an impact on our lives.

I, of course, look to myself. I realized that although I am satisfied in life, I am addicted to several things. I need order. I am organized. It drives me nuts to have things scattered about. Unpacking my suitcase and having things off the floor while I am at my daughters, calms me. Addicted to order- check. Impact— my mood and productivity are off when things are out of order.
Sweets- when I am stressed, eating sweets calms me (not the best thing for me, for sure!) Yep, addicted to sugar. Impact—not good for my health. Challenging myself, learning, growing—yep. I get bored, feel sluggish, worthless unless I have some challenge. I am addicted to challenges. That one certainly is helpful in my profession, as a coach. But like all addictions, it has a downside…. I have a hard time just ‘be..ing’, relaxing, sitting with no purpose or job to do.

Maybe someday, that one will be a problem for me, but for now, I just think I will embrace the experience.

How about you? What are your addictions/needs that drive you? Are they impacting what you want?
Maybe when the impact is negative enough, we, as people, change course. Just some food for thought today…