I'm Gretchen Rubin and this is a little happier.

I often think about and write about the importance of knowing ourselves and having a sense of what

we want for ourselves, a sense of our own aims.

For instance, I've written about the danger of drift, which I've experienced, drift is

when, instead of making mindful decisions for yourself, you go along with other people's

wishes for you, or when you take the path of least resistance, or you choose the choice

that feels like the least commitment.

So I've thought a lot about why it's important that we all figure out for ourselves what

we want for ourselves.

But I have to admit, I've been struck repeatedly by stories I read or that I hear from people

I know when someone has a loose or unformed idea for something they might do.

And some person in their life says, yes, that's a great idea.

You should absolutely do that and charge us off to get that person started down that path.

And then it turns out great.

And it's up being a turning point in someone's life.

Now, for me, when I hear these stories, I think, eh, shouldn't we pursue these ideas for

ourselves and not be carried away by someone else's actions?

I think so.

And is it right to interfere forcefully in someone else's destiny?

I think that can be a bad idea.

And yet, as I say, I do keep seeing examples of when someone else's enthusiasm, confidence

and assistance do help a person tackle a big challenge or change in a very significant

...