Your Life in 2018: What Is At Stake
Soon, you will begin seeing a flood of stories and posts about the new year, and what you might hope to do differently in 2018. Depending on your past experience, you may greet the New Year with great hopes, or perhaps a little cynicism.
I would like for you to consider that this isn’t about diets or renewed determination or paying off your debts. It’s not about losing belly fat or learning a foreign language or being a better correspondent.
This is about you, your purpose in life, and how you want to spend your brief time on Earth.
There is more competition than ever for our attention. It seems like drama has become the rule rather than the exception. Side-shows have become the show.
I suggest that it is time for us to take control of our how we spend our days. Deep down, you know what is important. Sometimes we avoid the important things because they are difficult, or maybe (on the surface) a little boring, or maybe the payback doesn’t seem immediate.
These are the things, I would suggest, will make the biggest difference in your life:
- Eat mostly healthy food.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Exercise in a way that works well for you.
- Read something challenging.
- Nourish relationships.
- Take a few minutes every day for prayer or meditation, just some time to separate out your thoughts and emotions from you.
- Pay attention to how you carry yourself,your posture and how you listen to others.
- Be mindful, especially about where you allocate your attention.
If these things seem basic, that’s the point. Doing the most fundamental good things in life leads to a life of fundamental good.
In addition, these are not specific to one age, one season of life. Whether you are a teenager, or in your 30s, or in your 50s, these practices will help you.
In this past year, many forces have no doubt conspired to distract you from your calling. May this be the year when we turn toward what we know will make us better.
