Gratitude and Motivation

I’m exercising in my home gym.  As I lie facing the ground in a modified push-up position, my knees are raised off the floor, abs are pulled in, and my body weight rests on my elbows.  My fingers are interlocked tightly in a hands-folded prayer.  I’ve been holding this position for what seems like an eternity, but only sixty seconds have passed. My abs are starting to shake.

During this particularly difficult segment of my dvd-workout, the instructor says,  “Think of someone who can’t do this right now.”  My mind instantly takes me to that person, and motivation appears out of nowhere.  I keep holding the position for thirty more seconds, as sweat starts pouring down my face.  And then, time’s up!  I drop to the floor.

Up until this moment, I hadn’t considered gratitude as a source of motivation.  Yet, I pushed myself harder during this challenge because gratitude was involved in the process.  I’m reminded of someone who can’t do this exercise because of immobility, or sickness or some other limitation.  There’s no room for an excuse or any whining.  Ultimately, I am just thankful for my health.

The adage is true that when you have your health, you have everything.  Can you think of someone who is struggling with something much more difficult than what you are facing today? When that person is placed at the forefront of your mind during a workout, it helps to remove limiting thoughts and beliefs.  Thoughts of compassion and hope for a miracle are sent out on behalf of someone in need.   Gratitude can become a motivating force during exercise.  Best of all, it can fuel inspiration to repeat the process tomorrow.

How has gratitude been a source of motivation for you?  Please share your perspective in the comments section below.