Life is happening now
My thoughts this month are about living. While our culture the last few decades has been pushing us to live in the moment and to have immediate gratification it seems like these past few months everyone wants to look forward to an economic recovery. I understand it of course. People have lost jobs, lost hours or lost something from this recession.
I encourage everyone (including myself) to be thankful now. We have more things to be thankful for then most people on the planet. I also keep thinking about how I appreciate this downturn. I have learned more in the past year than I did for years prior. Now, the circumstances have been challenging but I think that is the only way we truly learn. And frankly, I am not sure we are done learning yet. Learning how to be good stewards individually and corporately. Learning more about how to really budget. Learning how to make tough decisions. Learning about the difference between want and need. Learning about helping those in need (and there are more now than ever). These are all wonderful and needed things in life and don’t come easily when things are going really well.
I have been working on a charity committee to raise money for Wolfson Children’s Hospital and have been blown away by the people and the process. It started a few months ago with an idea. The idea was born by one man who wanted to raise money for the hospital as they had taken great care of his child how had spina bifida. He decided to run 55 miles to celebrate the hospital’s birthday and raise a few thousand dollars. Now, we have full blown event with TV sponsors, corporate sponsors, volunteers and a target at a couple hundred thousand dollars. People have been so giving of their time and talents for this cause. Even in this downturn people in Jacksonville have great perspective and are finding things to be thankful for. For me, it gives me huge energy to be a part of a common goal like this and to support an amazing institution. Actually, I relish the idea that we are going to blow this event out DURING the downturn! We aren’t providing excuses. We are digging for solutions and people are jumping on board.
So, I challenge myself everyday to count my blessings and enjoy this phase of my life and not look to far ahead and hope for a recovery. If I do that versus looking for opportunities to serve and learn now then I am missing the opportunities right in front of me. The other thing I do is avoid being negative about today in hopes of a glorious day when the economy sweeps everyone up again.
Today is a great day and I plan on enjoying it come what may.
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