The Link Between Motivation and Spirituality

Do You Have the Courage to Embrace Your Spirituality?

Following our own dreams and beliefs is often not easy.  We're afraid of what our peers will think and how they'll react when they discover we believe differently from them.  This is true not only of small things such as the color of your clothing or the way you wear your hair but will they approve of your choice of a mate or which church you attend.  Does spirituality blend in with your lifestyle?

We want to be viewed as smart and intellectual and many times we're taught that intelligence and spirituality are two opposites that cannot possibly work together.  Is this true?  Surely, intelligence and spirituality can follow the same path and work together to achieve a common goal.

Spirituality is defined as the sensitivity or attachment to religious values.  It is also the quality or state of being spiritual.  Can we possess the courage to embrace our spirituality when as an intellectual person we find no logical reason to do so?  Many of the enlightened and great thinkers of the world possess this courage to embrace both and teach that one complements the other.

The farther we pursue the paths of learning and faith the more we learn that each supports the other.  Both can exist well together and one without the other is usually achievement without meaning and fulfillment.  Conflict does not exist if we follow each path far enough.  We see that conflict is only imagined.

Great and notable teachers say that we are what we think.  Our results in life have a direct correlation with our thoughts and attitudes.  Positive thinking has shown that if we believe something we can achieve it but we must believe in ourselves and our purpose.

There is no doubt we achieve more when we think positive thoughts rather than thoughts of defeat and fear.  Thoughts of failure and fear sabotage us and we cause our own defeat.  Expect the worst and you'll most likely get it.

God has a plan for success.  He does not want us to fail and if we believe this then it makes intellectual good sense to seek all the help we can.  The Bible teaches that if God is for us, then who can be against us? 

Prayer gives us courage to embrace our spirituality and to change ourselves, not God.  If spirituality takes away your fears and allows you to move forward with faith and courage then it seems this is the smart way to travel. 

Our body is only part of our existence and we influence our body through our thoughts and actions.  If we're smart enough to strive for a better world then work on making a better you with courage through faith.

Summon the courage to embrace your spirituality and to act for the highest good of all mankind.  Choose your beliefs for yourself and don't let anyone else do it for you.  You are as right as they are. 

Resolve the conflicts within your life and you'll find you can help others resolve theirs.  Have the courage to change what you can and embrace what you cannot.  Your heart will tell you if you've made the right choice.

Have You Aligned Your Values with Your Goals?

Have you ever known someone who would do anything to get what he wanted or to get where he wanted to be?  You've watched that person be dishonest and take advantage of others to achieve his goal.  They say anything and promise everything to get to the top and grab the brass ring.

It may sound like we're talking about politicians and unfortunately this is true of many of them.  But actually, these characteristics are evident in many of those we come in contact with every day in our business and personal life.  It's unbelievable how many people are gullible enough to be drawn in to their web of deceit.  These people sacrifice their values to reach their goals.

It's said that if you want to be successful, if you want to lead, then align your values with your goals.  If what's important to you in your daily living can help you reach your objectives then you're on your way to the top.  Values and goals must complement each other for you to be effective.

But, if you struggle with anxiety and unhappiness as you strive for your aspirations, then reaching them may not give you inner peace and happiness even if you're successful.  Don't act like who you're not to become someone you won't like once you get there.  If you don't like yourself then no one else will either.

Define your goals.  Of course, there are many types of goals and you must decide which is most important to you and your family.  Most people when asked to define their goals first think of their career and monetary achievement. 

This may include material possessions and social standing in the community.  These could coincide with personal and spiritual goals as you climb the mountain of life.  Aspire to strike a balance in all these qualities of life.

Define your values.  What do you stand for?  Is it courage, honesty, dedication, generosity, thoughtfulness, tolerance, loyalty?  What drives you each day to get out of bed and do what you have to do?  It could be love of family and God.  It could be the thought of possessing power and money.  Or, you could just feel peace in helping others achieve their goals.

If you're to be happy in your career and personal life you must align your values and goals.  You could fake it until you make it, but unless these are your true values it would be a hollow victory.  Be true to yourself, work hard each day and you'll become the person you deserve to be.

Who do you admire?  It could be a famous person who exhibits the values you'd like to possess.  There are many notable politicians, clergy, actors and athletes who live the quality of life you admire.  Not necessarily their money but their character.  Aspire to be like them.

The person you admire and wish to imitate could also be a personal friend or a family member.  Ask them what motivates their lives and how they aligned their values with their goals.  If you're properly aligned with the values and goals of your life, you'll never regret where you are and where you will end.

How to Achieve an Abundance of Wealth without Sacrificing Your Morals

Since man has walked upright on this earth, he has been drawn to wealth and possessions.  Early man worked daily to accumulate whatever it was that kept him alive such as meat to eat and furs for warmth.  The more he accumulated the more comfortable he felt and enjoyed the honors from his fellow man for being so successful.

Men today are little different.  They strive to accumulate wealth, not necessarily of meat and furs but of money and material possessions.  It's only natural that we seek wealth.  It demonstrates strong character and responsibility.  Usually we're sobered by responsibility and as we accumulate riches it builds strong character and deep-seated morals.

There is the person who desires only to be moral and would not think of initiating public or personal wrong doing in order to advance their career or business.  He desires riches and success but only by legal and scrupulous means.  On the other hand, as some accumulate wealth the more values they tend to ignore.

It's easy to follow the crowd which often times is going down the wrong path with no regard of moral value.  Surely no one will notice him as he rides the coattail of another's success regardless of the means.  Departing with the crowd that does not share your moral values is easy to do and difficult to return.

Excessive wealth carries with it many dangers and temptations.  Friends and relatives will suddenly materialize and want to offer assistance and advice.  Question their motives to determine if you and they are reading from the same book. 

You cannot blame others if you stray from the moral path.  You must take responsibility for your own actions and use your wealth for the right reasons.  George Washington said,

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

True wealth is built upon principles of morality and conscience.  These principles must be applied to all aspects of your business, education and personal life.  Politicians always say they're working for the people when too often their actions line their own pockets.

Control your desires and you will attain happiness and wealth.  Remember, life is never a constant stream of pleasures.  It's fraught with pain and problems.  But, without experiencing these setbacks how can we know the value of peace and discern where true wealth lies.

Look within yourself to discover the meaning of wealth and use that wealth for the right reasons.  Many say service to society is the true wealth.  We are drawn each day to wealth but wealth is drawn to morals and values.  Seek to help others attain their wealth and you will achieve your own.  Which comes first, great riches or a great person?  In the words of Abraham Lincoln, "Honor is better than honors."

How to Make Your Motivation Soar Even When Faced with Obstacles

We've all asked the question:  How does the motivator stay motivated when it's obvious he or she is being beset with seemingly insurmountable obstacles?  No matter who we are, we will all be granted a share of success and failure. 

It's easy to stay motivated when we reach one goal after another.  We may even find it difficult to understand how someone can be down in the dumps when life can be so good to you.  Then, failures, problems and obstacles enter your life and it's not so easy to remain motivated. 

Even the most renowned leaders and speakers must find a way to overcome these burdens and move forward if they're to maintain success in both their professional and personal life. 

There are many ways to overcome your obstacles and make your motivation continue to soar; but on the other hand, there is no one perfect answer for everyone.  You must find the way within yourself.

Understand what's causing your fears and your obstacles.  The reasons could be tangible or they could be emotional.  They could be real or imagined.  Once you've determined what your fears are, ask yourself what is the worst case scenario. 

If all of your obstacles and fears become reality what is the worst thing that could happen.  When put into perspective, the culmination of these events probably would not be the end of your life or even your lifestyle as you know it.

Believe in your goals and yourself and nothing can stop you.  Analyze what you're striving for and what you and your company, or your family, will gain by achieving these goals.  If you do not believe in what you're doing then you're on the wrong track and should return to square one for reassessment. 

Take action quickly.  Visualize yourself overcoming these obstacles and your triumph over them.   Don't put off positive action no matter how small and seemingly insignificant. 

The smallest success that stems from your action instills faith and belief in yourself and your ability to succeed.  Obstacles have many faces and we must decide how we can stare them down.  If the magnitude of the obstacles is too large for you to handle emotionally, break it down into smaller tasks.

Remain cheerful and positive and watch the size of the problem diminish.  It's the old rule of mind over matter, or obstacles if you will.  Refuse to let negative thoughts rule your brain. 

Stay inspired.  You can do this by reading inspirational books, or watching motivational video or audio courses.  Your environment should consist of inspirational people and things.  Our surroundings enable us to become what we are.

Obstacles are inevitable but how we deal with them is not.  We can choose to overcome and be happy or we can be miserable.  Don't dwell on self-doubt.  Are your fears realities or something you fear might happen if you fail to take proper action?  Faith is instilled when you tackle the task.

One of the great motivators of our time is Margaret Thatcher who said, "Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end.  It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it."

The Silver Linings of Hopeless Situations

You've probably said it yourself and didn't really believe it:  the old saying that behind every dark cloud, there is a silver lining.  It's hard to have much faith in that advice when that cloud is dumping buckets of rain on your parade.  But, sure enough, it wasn't long until the rain stopped and you were walking in sunshine again.

It's the same with hopeless situations.  We've all faced them when we know we're going to lose or fail at something very important to us.  It could be your business, a marriage, just a board game or a game of cards.  

You're playing your best, but no matter what you do losing is inevitable.  Everything you did seemed right at the time and by the time you discover your mistakes, it's too late. First of all, it's never too late until the game of life deals you the death card.

The game of Monopoly can be a perfect teacher of how to play your life.  We roll the dice, land on the right properties and make the right buys.  But somehow, other players bought better properties and built bigger hotels and stayed out of jail.  No matter what you did you kept paying their rent and fines and had to mortgage your valuable holdings just to stay afloat.

Playing at life can be a losing battle at times too.  You're doing all the right things, you budget, plan for the future but failure comes anyway.  No matter what you do it all leads to the same outcome like a bad dream where you're moving in slow motion and you plod to the finish line that says loser.

You may be faced with a hopeless situation at this very moment and you've contemplated taking a long walk on a short pier.  Hey, it's okay to lose if you turn those losses into gains! 

If you realize there is no way to win, learn from your past mistakes, dust yourself off and try again.  If you see you're going to lose, stop playing to win and start playing to learn.  It's when you learn that you win.

You've probably been focused on the long-term gain and failed to see the mistakes you kept making in the past.  When you play to learn there's always some measure of victory.  Just like in Monopoly, you learn from each roll of the dice. 

Analyze your past moves and see where you could have done better so you don't make the same mistakes again.  There is always another roll of the dice and always another game to play.

Playing the game again doesn't guarantee a win but it guarantees another learning opportunity.  You may learn you lack basic skills to ever win until you master them.  If you're stuck in this situation, find a way to get out of it and move forward.  Know that you can't undo the past mistakes so don't get stressed out over them.  Use them as stepping stones to a future win.

Life is always offering a fresh new perspective if we choose to see it.  We all lose and others have made worst mistakes than you.  Be a gracious loser.  If perchance you've never lost, then maybe you're not living life to its fullest and leaving a lot of money (and happiness) on the table.  There are no hopeless situations when you turn them into learning experiences and search for the silver lining.