Motivation

“There are those who enter the world in such poverty that they are deprived of both the means and the motivation to improve their lot. Unless these unfortunates can be touched with the spark which ignites the spirit of individual enterprise and determination, they will sink back into renewed apathy, degradation, and despair. It is for us, who are more fortunate, to provide that spark.” -Mawlana Hazar Imam: Inauguration of the Aga Khan Baug - Versoya, India, January 17, 1983.

Recently I went to a seminar which was based on the quotation above which I really enjoyed so I figured I should share it with you all. I think the quote is very powerful and can be related to many things not just about poverty. For me the quote really means that we all need motivation in order to better ourselves, and that there are times in life where we are so lost and if we’re lucky enough to get a hand from someone we will be in a better situation to move forward. When I think about this quote it reminds me how many of us lack motivation in life, myself included. I find that the things in life we have to do (school, work, chores..etc) keep us bogged down that we don’t actually do anything to help ourselves (or others) move forward in life.

I really think that motivation is the key to success in life and in general in everything you do. I find that so many of us aren’t really motivated towards most things in life. For example, most of us would probably leave our jobs for a similar job which pays slightly less, and most of us use our sick days even when we aren’t sick. I find that we need to see the benefit that we receive before doing anything. Once we have a steady routine down, many of us don’t really try new things, or try to make it better.

Personally, I find it hard to devote time to helping others, or thinking of solutions to problems which others face. I don’t really think of myself as being selfish, maybe that’s because in life I I have worked for the things I have and will have to work for everything I will get in the future. I’ve been burned many times from people I cared about and I’ve seen consequences of bad judgements. But I am lucky to get little sparks of motivations from friends and I really think that these sparks are what have made my life worth living. I would have never played hockey, if it wasn’t for my roomie giving me the push I needed to go after it; I would have never explore tdot if it wasn’t for someone pushing me to make the most out of everything…etc. What I’m trying to say is that we all have our routine, we all fall into a system that works for us, but every now and then someone comes and challenges us to do something which makes our lives better. I believe that for those of us who have felt that, need to take initiative to do the same for someone else. Whether its on an international level dealing with poverty, or if is to just encourage a friend to pursue something you believe they will enjoy or make their lives better.

I’m hoping in the New Year that I can really take initiative to motivate people to pursue things they love and pass on the spark to others. I feel this blog, is the start of this mission of mine for the New Year. I urge you all to reread the quote above and to analyse what it means to you.