Brazilians (and Latinos in general) make a big deal about shame/embarrassment. I remember one bishop who said a member was excommunicated largely because he had no shame. The concept was that if the member had more shame, he never would have taken that first step.

I can be motivated through shame (and hunger, btw), but it doesn't work if somebody else tries to put me through a guilt trip. Instead, if I make a serious commitment to somebody, the shame of not following through can (though it doesn't always) motivate me.

I have several "personal projects" on the back burner. Two of these are open source programming projects. Last week I had somebody ask how things were coming on one of them. I responded that "if more people [get] involved, [I'll] feel guilty about letting them down, which really motivates me."

This morning I received a follow-up email on the subject, so it looks like I've got enough reason to start working on Yard again. I've got a few ideas. Actually, I've got a ton of ideas that I need to type up and see if they work.