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Obligations

So, you made it through Monday, presumably... How many days have we wished away, that could have been significant in our life--or the life of another--if we had only "exerted ourselves," as Jane Austen so beautifully described it? So many things we know we should do--yet we don't.

Yesterday, my husband traveled hundreds of miles for a 30-minute funeral, but I had encouraged him to go. It was important to the family, overall, but especially meaningful to the immediate family of his great uncle, who passed away.  Many times in our lives, we have these opportunities. Sometimes we take them; sometimes we do not. I have found that I always regret NOT going, rather than the reverse. It made me think -- it's time to look at our social and familial obligations in a different way.

Once I read something written by a life coach who encouraged the philosophy of taking each day more deliberately--especially in the way we verbalize it. Instead of "I have to go to the store...to a meeting...to a funeral," what if we said (and thought) "I plan to go to the store...to a meeting...to a funeral." The change in perspective--and accompanying change in vernacular--all pivots on the approach of living every part of your day on purpose...and with purpose. It's like walking your dog, instead of letting it walk you. 

Look at today. Really look. Where are you going? With whom will you speak? Where can you make an improvement, or at least an impact, instead of just being along for the ride? What about that girl in the office who has no friends--can you offer to get her some coffee or tea?  What about that invitation to the devotion group, or family get-together that you keep turning down? What about the cleaning lady--do you even know her name? 

Exert yourself. Step out of your "I-had-rather-stay-home-in-my-sweatpants" zone and make someone else happy by showing up, after all. This life is not all about you: you have countless chances every day to brighten or dampen someone's spirits, to please or disappoint, to be satisfied that you fulfilled your purpose and stood honorably by your obligations, or to go to bed with that familiar, gnawing guilt.

So, let it begin today.  Let's all put a tight leash on our daily lives and live them deliberately, instead of just letting things happen. Take your obligations head-on, and turn them into opportunities.

Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. -- Proverbs 4:26

Comments

  1. Michael GallopsDecember 2, 2014 at 8:24 AM

    Great blog! I especially like the part about changing our perspective (and words) on how we view the activities in our daily lives:

    "Instead of "I have to go to the store...to a meeting...to a funeral," what if we said (and thought) "I plan to go to the store...to a meeting...to a funeral.""

    There is power in the words we speak (and think)!

    Keep up the great blog posts - it isn't just women reading them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shelley EdwardsDecember 31, 2014 at 4:06 PM

      Thanks for the comment, Michael! I appreciate your readership :)

      Delete

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