Are you working? Do you enjoy your job? Hopefully the good outweighs the bad. Work can enable us to develop skills, forge character, learn from experiences, and encourage others. My main job is teaching at-risk high school students. Many of my classes involve visual arts including video production. One aspect of video production I have grown to appreciate is that it brings together two powerful aspects of life: people and moments.
Life is made of relationships; without them you have nothing of value. Also in life we only have a moment at a time. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is never promised. Make the most of now and over time the string of moments can form a beautiful necklace more priceless than diamonds.
I exhort you to grow in relationships and grow in time by giving.
- Give more than you take. Give not expecting anything in return. Don’t just give out of abundance. Keep giving of your time, talents, and treasure to a point of sacrifice.
- Give to people. Give them kindness, give them grace, give them hope. Forgive them. Encourage them. Care for them. Not because they are necessarily nice, but because you are. Surround yourself with people who pour these virtues into your life and then find people who you can pour into.
- Give time to yourself. Seize the day. Be productive. Learn something new. Explore a hobby. Pursue a dream. Become an interesting person. These experiences will then allow you to better connect with, empathize with, and encourage others.
- Give thanks. Laugh. Smile. Nurture an attitude of gratitude. Discover the positive in everything especially amidst difficulty.
Maybe you already have a heart to give like this. Keep going. Many will appreciate it and admire you for it.