Motivational Spark Plugs

Maintaining an exercise regimen is never easy, but one comedian proposed a unique form of motivation. He suggested that exercise-resistant couch potatoes could motivate themselves to do frequent sit-ups by placing the TV remote control between their toes?

Motivation is the basic success factor for everything we do, but it is more complicated than we might imagine. Psychologists think that the average human decision may be sparked by as many as eight different conscious or subconscious motives simultaneously. In a well-integrated personality, these are properly subordinated, with more selfish interests at the bottom of one's "value scale."

What is the highest possible human motivation? It relates to the ultimate purpose of human existence, namely, the glory of God. Hence, Paul highlights the optimum motivation for even the most prosaic actions: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31).

All subhuman creatures, whether they be rocks, roses, or rats, give "material" glory to God by their very existence, which they derive from him. But "formal" glory can be given to God only by a sin-free act of a free will that knowingly intends to praise (that is, "compliment") him as the "be-all and end-all" of creation. "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col 3:17).

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net