In life, we all need motivation. Stress and difficulties that are a fact of life can often drag us down and set us on a path of anxiety. How do you relieve stress? What motivates you to keep going when the challenges present in our daily lives seem to set us back?
Academic hurdles often set me back. I usually begin with a bright spirit, ready to take on the world. But as the hours grow longer, my energy and strength wanes. Even worse, my motivation can falter, replaced by apathy and disillusionment. I would like to change that. As I begin my studying for today, I want to embrace the quotes, ideas, and messages that provide me a surge of inspiration and hope so that I may trudge forward when I feel least inclined to do so.
1. Studying as a form of Worship of God and Nature
Sometimes I have trouble bringing myself to study scientific concepts that do not come as easily to me. However, this phrase always invigorates me. In Francis Collin's book The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence For Belief, he writes, "The experience of sequencing the human genome, and uncovering this most remarkable of all texts, was both a stunning scientific achievement and an occasion of worship." What an incredible way to view the study of science, and really of studying in general. I find this idea of viewing studying as "an occasion of worship" inspirational. It means learning and studying is a way to pay homage to the beautiful harmony that is embedded in life, nature, language, knowledge, and wisdom.
2. Do Everything Wholeheartedly
In life, it can be easier to do things using fractions of ourselves. It may be easier to just say, "God will take care of it," or someone else will take care of it: whether it is our parents, our government, our teachers, our friends, etc. In the words of Veronica from the movie Billy Madison: "You know some people have no will power, no ambition. They just drift through life like lumps of crap." I do not want to become that person. Life is a gift. And to live life without using all of our hearts is (to me) not appreciating the beautiful gift of life. So to follow Ephesians 6:7 "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."
Nice. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that's how it works for a lot of people...they get into a project REALLY motivated and all, and then by the time a hurdle approaches them they get weary.
I agree. Lotsa people try to use God as an excuse to not do stuff b/c they think He'll take care of it all but even though God is great and everything it's up to us to make our lives what they are.