Tag Archive for: life
Lessons that change us
Deep Roots
Roots
Are you drifting?
One of the common traps of life is ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
From time to time, all of us are likely to drift.
It is easy to get caught up in the currents of life, outside influences and being carried along with the crowds.
Perhaps you are stuck on autopilot, aimlessly sleepwalking through each and every day, tossed to and fro like a piece of driftwood floating on the seas?
Are you drifting?
Do you know that feeling?
Drift: โto move slowly, especially as a result of outside forces, with no control over directionโ
Is this what you really want from life, simply to drift?
At some point, just like the driftwood, youโll be washed up on the shoreline, and may ask yourself, โhow did I get here, why am I here, where am I going?โ
Have you been washed up yet?
Is it time to take stock and find your purpose in life?
Are you looking for a light to help you navigate through the stormy waters of life?
Now What?
I recall at my fatherโs funeral, a male choir formed of sons, grandsons, and sons-in-law, sang for him his favourite song:
โBrightly beams our fatherโs mercy from his lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.
Chorus
Let the lower lights be burning; send a gleam across the wave;
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue; you may save.
Dark the night of sin has settled; loud the angry billows roar.
Eager eyes are watching, longing, for the lights along the shore.
Chorus
Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; some poor sailor, tempest tossed,
Trying now to make the harbour, in the darkness may be lost.
Chorus
Jesus Christ can help you to stop drifting through life.ย He says in John 8:12 โI am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of lifeโ
The gospel will act as an anchor and stop your drift.
Is it time to stop drifting?
Surprise!
Extremes
Generosity
When you think of a generous person, who first comes to mind?
Generosity – “a willingness to give help or support, especially more than is usual or expected.”
Who has inspired you the most to greater generosity?
I hope that it won’t be some famous celebrities or philanthropists, rather it’ll be a family member, a friend, someone in the community, or a co-worker perhaps.
โYou can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” said Debbie Macomber.
One by One.
Act by Act.
Service by Service.
Little by Little.
Each of us can make a difference.
I am encouraged by the words of the Dalai Lama who said – โGenerosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.”
We simply don’t talk about generosity enough.
We desperately need more men and women in society at large to look around, to look beyond themselves and consider the needs of others. To become more selfless, outward looking, to give more, to be more compassionate and much, much more generous. Some will think it airy-fairy. Yet, it is a powerful, personal, potent, peace giving potion.
What can you do, who will you help today?
A new chapter
As one chapter in life draws to a close, another is set to begin…
One morning earlier this week, I was about to head outside to post a birthday card, when our youngest daughter Cristi was also just departing for school.ย I asked if I could join her on her walk to school and she agreed that I could.
All at once, memories flooded back of the many times over the last 20 years of walking to school with our children. Walking through the rain, wind, snow and sunshine have all been experiences we’ve shared together.ย The days of holding each of their hands have long since gone.ย Tiny steps, eventually grew into strides together.
Walking with Cristi, I recognised quickly that this was likely to be the very last time I walked with her on part of her journey to school.ย Her school days are swiftly drawing to a close, with only a few days left to go.ย We talked, we laughed and to be honest, I did get a little emotional. Just for a moment there was a little tear in my eye.ย I realised that the school days of our children chapter of our life together, was now rapidly drawing to an end.ย As we reached Dot, the lollipop lady, we wished each other well.
Our Book of Life
Like a book, life has a beginning, and end, and a lot of chapters in between that push us forward from one event to another.ย Each of us will begin many new chapters in our own book of life.ย Some chapters are challenging and difficult, others are fun and exciting.ย Momentarily, a little bit of sentimentality also played into my own book, with this little walk for sure.ย Another sweet memory was added into my own book of life.
Ultimately change happens for each of us.
Accepting change can be hard and exciting too, as we turn the page of a new chapter in life.ย For us, there are a whole new set of adventures ahead, Belgium/Netherlands beckons!!
What changes and new chapters are you set to write about in your very own book of life?
Does 9.00 am exist?
“Does 9.00 am exist” I asked the delegates on the virtual time management workshop. Unanimously they responded “yes!” followed by a few whispers and puzzled faces.
As we explored the concept of time together, everyone soon realised that 9.00 am, along with 24 hours, 1,440 minutes and indeed 86,400 seconds were all simply something that mankind had created to manage time better – the study of horology is fascinating! We concluded – 9.00 am isn’t real! In fact the only thing that is real, is day & night, along with the seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Each of us are stewards of our time here upon earth. Each and every day counts.
Henry B. Eyring captured it well when he said – “Someday, when you know who you really are, you will be sorry you didn’t use your time better.”
I love these words penned by Robert Baird:
Time flies on wings of lightning;
We cannot call it back.
It comes, then passes forward
Along its onward track.
And if we are not mindful,
The chance will fade away,
For life is quick in passing.
โTis as a single day.
Consider these questions focused on different time frames…
Are you doing everything that you should be doing with your one precious life?
How will you choose to fill the blank pages of your book of life today?