Time To Do What Matters
We’ve been traveling, so when we arrive back to our home, it’s all about unloading, unpacking and getting caught up again! This can be stressful, depending on how long we’ve been gone.
One of the first things I must do is catch up on the mail! While I’m able to keep up with the checkbook and important stuff, because our daughter takes care of the mail as it comes, I’m still required to go through, eliminate that which is no longer necessary, file, and then take care of those things which she is unable to, while we’re away.
Aside from this, there is general cleaning that must be done. Houses do not like being left un-attended! Again, our daughter keeps up with what must be done (she does have her own home and family to care for), but after everything comes in, you have to put it all away, and inevitably there are dust bunnies that have moved in with the occasional cobweb, etc!
What happens however, when a family doesn’t travel? They are in their home most of the time (and with this COVID mess, even more so), and still keeping up, can be problematic! Yet we are often reminded to use our time and talents to the best of our abilities.
How can we do that? Due to the COVID issue, our lives of helping our neighbors, non-profits, and other ways to pay it forward, have decreased. It’s frustrating! Even many our of workplaces have changed; we work from home. Almost everything, at some level, is done via the internet.
Another element of time and talent includes ‘treasure.’ Some people call this our reputation. It’s what we stand for and what we believe, and even how we live our lives. As we reflect on our past, we probably can recall people who have not only lived their lives in ways that influenced ours, but also were deliberate in providing guidance. Some may have helped us unaware; or at least to a point, unaware.
Can you recall a teacher, another person in a different profession, a relative, neighbor or even a stranger who influenced what you believe and how you live your life? Perhaps there was someone that specifically influenced you to follow your chosen career. They shared their ‘treasure’! Is there a way you could pay it forward to someone else?
Granted, given our current ‘isolation-ism,’ it may be a little more challenging, but perhaps you could be creative. Along with ‘mentoring’ someone else, what about thanking someone for their input in your life? Each of these might be initiated by a hand written note (much more thoughtful than just an email), or via a phone call.
Our world has changed. But giving should not change. We are a people who do best when ‘we can give away’ the best of what we’ve gotten! I’m not talking about material goods (although that’s not bad either when we have more than we need!), but giving of ourselves, in whatever way we can. We still need to be good neighbors, with kind hearts. Children still need to see this behavior, so they can grow into ‘giving adults.’ It’s the way we were designed!
Be bold! Reach out with your particular treasure—something you can give away – of yourself--- a smile, kind word, help in a garden, cut a lawn, cook a meal or dessert and leave it for someone who may not have enough. (You may need to make contact with a person if you are leaving food!) Be creative! Take time to do what matters! Impact someone else’s life this week!