- Be nice. My kids bicker about stupid things. They are often selfish and unkind to each other. It’s in their nature. Teaching them the golden rule, “treat others how you would like to be treated”, is key in helping them grow into compassionate kind adults. The funny thing is (sad really) that I run into adults on a regular basis who haven’t seemed to grasp this concept. Selfishness, rudeness, cattiness, gossip...I just don’t understand it all. This is not rocket science. Be nice to each other. Be kind. Treat others how you would like to be treated. Give people the benefit of the doubt. If they are just mean spirited, kill them with kindness. Proverbs 21:21 says, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” Smile, be kind to those you come in contact with and you’ll see your life become more positive.
- Work hard. Most things in life don’t come easy. Life is not about free handouts. We all have to do things sometimes that we don’t want to do. Even if it’s something we really do want, we usually have to work hard to get it. The cool thing about having a good work ethic is that it can aid in developing many other important traits like dependability, passion, efficiency and effectiveness. There is a sense of achievement that comes with hard work. Proverbs 12:11 says, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” It is also very important to apply your work ethic to teamwork. Amazing things can be accomplished when you work together with others. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” Work hard to become the best version of you, work well with those around you and see where life takes you.
- Integrity is key. Honesty and integrity are endangered species in the world today. As you grow into an adult the value of integrity in every area of your life is priceless. Nobody likes those who are schmoozy or dishonest. When you see people falling for schmoozy or being dishonest it should give you a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach. Stand up for what’s right. Do the right thing when people are watching and especially when they are not! Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” God is watching even when others are not. Be the person God has called you to be with integrity.
- Take Risks. Life is too short and too important to live by a bubble wrap philosophy. Follow your dreams. Stretch yourself. If you live in fear you will miss out on so much of what life has to offer. Will you fail sometimes? Most definitely, but you will learn from it. You’ll get back up and keep running towards all that God has destined you for. You must have faith. Sometimes God calls us to do things that are scary or completely out of our comfort zone. Let your faith win! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Great things happen when we are willing to step out in faith, trust God and take those risks.
- Find joy. Laugh a lot til your belly hurts. Life has hard stuff in it and your perspective makes a huge difference in how that hard stuff affects you. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Choose to find the good in things and look for the bits of joy that make you see the glass “half full”. There will always be hardships and curveballs that come your way, but if you can find joy, contentment and humor in the everyday you will sail through those rough waters with confidence. My prayer for you is found in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
You can make conscious choices to apply these lessons each day. Some come easier than others, but if you practice these principles daily eventually they will become habit.
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