We continue with 45 simple things to help us live a deeper, more authentic life! Again, don't feel like you need to employ every suggestion - pick a couple that seems to resonate with you. The adventure is to reflect and learn about yourself and take a series of deliberate steps towards being the most authentic person you can be! This journey all starts with a decision to begin and then taking the first step. Remember, God is for you, and to discover ourselves truly, we begin and end in Him.
- Don't waste your time on jealously. Jealousy focuses our attention on what we don't have instead of what we do have. We find meaning in being the best we can be, not in unhealthy competition with another. In the end, life is not about winning or losing - it is all about living well - becoming who you really are with integrity and character.
Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats. ~ James 3:16 The Message
- Create relationships with people whose skills and gifting complement your own and with those who your gifts and skills complement. As a relational cohort, you can each be free to contribute to the tasks at hand in a synergistic way. In humility, you can accept help from those who may be better suited for a task and in turn, in humility, you can return the favour. This moves the task from personality-centred to task-focused.
In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.~Romans 12:4-5 The Message
- Deal with clutter. Not just the closets and the garage but relationally, mentally and emotionally.
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- Some relationships are chronically toxic. They consume more time and energy consistently than the life they produce. Remember, though, we all have rough seasons, be kind and supportive of a friend in those seasons.
- Some of us have too much clutter mentally. We are trying to spin too many plates at once. Maybe it's time that some of these plates fall to the ground with an OPA! of celebration!
- Emotional clutter will zap ya faster than anything. Don't be afraid to deal with some of the guilt, shame, and unhealthy obligations. Some of us carry toxic emotions - emotions that no longer contribute to a full life (if they ever did). Don't be afraid to explore these issues with a competent trained professional.
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I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. ~Philipians 4:8 The Message
- If you don't know, Ask. This will save you tons of time by finding out what needs to be done and can save you a whack of trial and error. There is no shame in asking legitimate, sincere questions, and most people would prefer you ask. You may need to be tenacious and creative in finding answers to your questions.
- People Pleasing Paralysis is such a common challenge for us. In living to please other people, we always end up unhappy. In our pursuit to please everyone, inevitably, we will find ourselves in double binds where pleasing one person will be contrary to pleasing another. Be true to yourself, recognize, prioritize and care for your legitimate needs and desires. By taking care of these personal needs, we are better equipped to serve others more healthily. In the end, it is you who needs to be pleased with you. Just do what you know is right, what God has placed on your heart to do.
"The most exhausting thing in life is being insincere." ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh
