Go to the ant,…consider her ways, and be wise – Proverbs 6:6
How we invest our time has everything to do with our quality of life. The things we think about and do, prepare us for the next unknown adventure. The way we invest our time helps us move forward in life.
A pertinent question might be: What do we want out of life? Another: How do we translate our desire into reality? On the surface, when asked the first question people might say a new car, home, opportunities to travel and the like. But looking a little deeper, most say they would just like to be happy…a little less tension and friction in their lives. Many of us live our lives through the entertainment of books, television, movies and other time passing events. Unfortunately, living passive lives bring us only temporary satisfaction, time passes and before we know it, life has slipped by. The writer of proverbs says:
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. – Proverbs 6:9-11
Most of us don’t know we can gain the things we desire; that we can take charge, and have some control over how the quality of our lives unfolds – we simply show up each day and take whatever comes. This DOES NOT have to be the case.
Translating desire into action is the key, and developing positive habits goes a long way toward achieving our goal. Marcus Aurelius puts it this way:
“Early in the morning, when you are reluctant in your laziness to get up, let this thought be at hand: I am rising to do the work of a human being..." - Marcus Aurelius: Meditations
One good way to help us begin to feel change is to think about others. Taking time to appreciate other people and have empathy for them, elevates our mood and can increase the quality of our lives.
The scripture says it is better to give than receive. This isn’t just advice to help create a more harmonious culture; it is insight into the basic truth that we grow and gain satisfaction when we give of ourselves…our time, our energy, our gifts, our skills or our spirit on a consistent daily basis. This is one of the great paradoxes of life…by giving with an open heart – no strings attached – we, ourselves actually receive and grow. The good news is that we can cultivate this in our daily lives, and it is surprising how little it takes.
Try this experiment for the next month. Write five of the following items down on paper and put them on your bathroom mirror – this will keep them in front of you on a daily basis. Look for an opportunity to exercise each of them every day for one month. See what effect they have on your life.
1. Gratitude: When you get up in the morning and put your feet on the floor, do it one foot at a time and say quietly out loud, “Thank you”…First foot touching, “Thank” – second foot touching, “you.”
a. Do this every a day.
2. Kindness: At work, the store, with a neighbor or friend - say a kind word and smile.
a. Try to do this five times in the day
3. Empathy: Look for someone in your life that is struggling, and let them know they are in your thoughts.
a. Actively look for the opportunity
4. Compliment: Tell someone they look nice in their choice of clothing, cut of hair, loss of weight.
a. Do this at least twice a day
5. Appreciate: Let someone know you appreciate them – their spirit, the work they do, their friendliness or their wisdom in life.
a. As often as possible
6. Thanks: Tell someone they have done a good job – maybe a waitress, bus driver, colleague, husband, wife, significant other.
a. As often as possible
7. Smile: Smile at people when you see them or greet them.
a. do this as often as you can
8. Engage: Ask someone about their lives or interests or work. People love to speak about things important to them, and it is surprising what you can learn.
a. Look for the opportunity
9. Help: look for opportunities to help someone that could use it.
10. Do the unexpected: Return too much change at the store, pick something up that a person dropped, open a door for someone, take someone for coffee or lunch.
- ted
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