Mostly......When I do play live there will be occasions when someone in the audience is watching my every move and after come up and ask how I did this, or that and ask me to show them something and that makes it worth while for me. Plus usually when I record a cd Someone will be excited by a drum part, or a song touched them and that is always exciting.
The 2 most memoreable instances though, that will always be with me and motivate me are this:
#1. Back in 1988 I played a concert with the band I was in as a senior in high school, a 6 year old boy watched intently during the entire show and afterwards his folks brought him up to see me, and he told me he wanted to play too, so I gave him my sticks and a week later I got a thank you card from him that I still have today, 20 years later.
#2. My principal in high school had a 5 year old boy who used to watch us play, and I just found out 2 years ago that his band was signed to a record deal and are touring the country now. I emailed my old principal to congratulate him and pass on my regards and a month later I recieved an e-mail from his son, thanking me and saying I was the first drummer he ever saw, and the reason he started playing. ( I think I cried for a minute, lol).
So I guess, what motivates me is the thought that my music and/or playing, may inspire someone at some point again.