We eat because we’re hungry. We shop because we need a new pair of shoes. We work because we need money so we can eat and shop. We meet with mates because we share interests and enjoy their company. We go on holiday for relaxation, to get a sun tan, and to see something new. I beep my horn at the other driver because he cut me up at the roundabout.

The reason we bother to get out of bed in the morning, is due to needs, desires, feelings and emotions. Behind every action – and most inaction – is a motivation a.k.a. an intent. Okay, so much, so obvious.

I think we can all agree there are good and bad motivations. We can be motivated to words and actions by love, kindness, sympathy, generosity. And by pride, jealousy, lust, anger, and fear. We all do things everyday because of good, bad and mixed motivations.

I will now make a logical leap based on my personal experience. I think bad motivations produce actions that have bad results in the long run. Also good motivations produce actions that have good results in the long run. Independent of the actions themselves.

But surely there are lots of counter examples? We have all experienced doing something we thought was right, but it was clumsy and ineffectual. And there are situations where we did something out of anger but there was no consequences or even fortuitous results. Here is a mismatch between intentions and consequences.

Obviously the emotions of anger or fear can cloud our judgment so we are too hasty and reckless. But even if the action is executed flawlessly, with neutral or positive immediate consequences, I say it is still toxic. Something will still spoil in the long term. The intention has infected the result or the relationships. And this is very true of actions rooted in anger and fear even if the anger or fear seem justified.

How does this work? Maybe it’s simply that intents are powerful thoughts become habits become character. Letting anger and fear regularly take the helm changes our personality so we will not attract happiness and joy. But what if there is also a form of causation that is not merely mechanistic? I’m getting metaphysical here, but the idea is ancient. It is not enough just to do the right thing, in the right way; the intent has to be right. After normal cause and effect has done their thing, the emotions go ‘marching on’ shaping reality.

Okay, so maybe we try our best to do good and don’t see immediate improvements. This is frustrating. But here my discovery of the power of motivation is reassuring. I look back on my life and note that loving intent will in and of itself find its own way. It’s like a buried seed. Sure you will get better results from the right actions, but if the intent is love, some good will come.

And I now I’m reminded of a phrase in 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. This biblical chapter about love is often quoted at special events.

Whatever you do, whatever your situation or ability “Love never fails”.