Living Significantly

Before each year ends, I return to an annual habit. I look back to the previous months and recall the year’s events and milestones. This year, we grieved as many people close to us passed away.  But this year, we also celebrated the gift of life as babies were born to our family and friends reached their 50^th birthday. What an undeniable reminder that life on earth has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

In one of the psalms, David affirmed that God created him and planned the number of days he would live on earth. If the number of our days on earth is limited, how then should we conduct ourselves so as to live significantly?

Live loving.

Jesus Christ summed up the commands of God this way: love God and love others as you love yourself. Is there a conflict here? None, if you keep it that way. Because when you love God first, He will enable you to love others and yourself. But when you love yourself most, you will have a hard time loving God and others.

 Live serving.

Rick Warren said, “There are three things you can do with your life: You can waste it, you can spend it, or you can invest it. The best use of your life is to invest your life in something that will outlast it. The worst thing you can do is to live simply for today and to live for yourself.” God did not put you on earth to live for yourself. Look for an opportunity to serve.

Live laughing.

We take medicine to reduce pain and to prolong life. There’s a saying, laughter is the best medicine. So if you want to live longer, healthier, laugh more often. Laughing boosts immunity and lowers stress hormones. It adds zest to life and improves relationships. And people tend to be more attracted to cheerful individuals. You’d want that, right?

Live wondering.

As we grow older, we lose our sense of wonder. We get busy and give up smelling the flowers. We face troubles and get tired easily. When dreams become unreachable and we fail to reach our goals, we lose our hope. When these happen, it’s time to pause and recharge. Enjoy God’s creation. Discover ways of doing things differently. Do something new. Recover your sense of wonder; God is a wonderful God and He is doing wonderful things in our lives.

Whatever stage of life you are in now, live loving, serving, laughing, and wondering. 

Learn more tips on how to live significantly from my book Life in the Middle. Available at PCBS, CSM Book Corner and other book stores. Or if you want the e-book version, get it from Buqo. If you want a signed copy delivered at your doorstep, please email me at yahmunar@gmail.com.