Our Priorities Define Us

We are defined by our priorities. That’s especially true of characters in a novel. Often it is a current priority that becomes the focus of the storyline. Or sometimes it’s a long term priority that finally gets it chance to take center stage.

I often think of how our priorities define us. They are like fingerprints, arranged, correlated, sized, and pushed to the forefront when limitations are imposed upon us. We don’t always even realize our greatest priorities until we lose options and what remains our driving force is clear.

For some family is our priority. A lot of people like to think that family is always a priority but stop and think about the last time you’ve called your mom or saw your brother who lives half a country away. Somehow family lost priority to the daily grind of living. Our children are definitely our priority when they are young yet even they can somehow take a backseat to job, travel, or recreational time.

Is your priority to pay those monthly bills no matter what you have to sacrifice to cover the basics? Or are you the type who lets the monthly bills slide in favor of a new toy, new clothes, or latest smart phone?

Sometimes basic survival is the priority. For some just getting a meal or two every day is a priority. What do you sacrifice to put food on the table? Or maybe you’re a lucky one who doesn’t have to stop and think about where your next meal comes from. It doesn’t feel like a priority when meals only mean making a stop at the grocery store for supplies. Not everyone is so lucky. I suspect eating is a priority for everyone but when it’s a struggle to provide that food suddenly it’s a more noticeable priority.

So, yes, our priorities are forever changing and are what define us. The people growing up in the Great Depression certainly had different priorities than the current generation of Millennials. Back in the ‘30s clothing and food was a struggle. Now the struggle is being able to constantly update our technology and the toys/tools we use to access that technology. Our priorities define us.