“Man was created for a certain end. This end is to praise, to reverence and to serve the Lord his God and by this means to arrive at eternal salvation. All other beings and objects that surround us on the earth were created for the benefit of man and to be useful to him, as means to his final end; hence his obligation to use, or to abstain from the use of, these creatures, according as they bring him nearer to that end, or tend to separate him from it.” St. Ignatius of Loyola
Keeping focus on the real truth for which we were created -- to praise, reverence and serve the Lord to arrive at our eternal salvation -- should be the motivational factor for everything we do. It should be our map of life and compass to guide us on our journey. This map carefully points out both aids and obstacles along the way. Some obstacles should be avoided at all costs so we do not lose our way, while others challenge and strengthen us as a means to reach our destination.