Life is a delicate balance. Just as we don’t want to be so near-sighted as to forsake our future, I don’t think we want to be so far-sighted as to forsake our present.
Do you remember when you were little–I mean really little–and you’d beg for the sugary cereal or the shiny new toy in the grocery store? Do you remember the gleam in your eyes as your parents stood in the checkout aisle and you oggled the candy shelves? You didn’t count the cost; you simply saw what you wanted and asked. And, as you got older, you learned to forget that naivety. Not only did you grow out of the childishness that it takes to completely ignore the price, but you grew out of the childlike wonder it takes to live joyfully and completely carefree.
I believe that it is a grave mistake to never look up, to never assess our position, plan for our future, and correct our errors when we stray from the path. I think we should always have “save points” in life, just like in games. We need time to pause, to reflect, to grow, and to plan. We have to push past the now and learn to live maturely enough to delay pleasure for a greater good. We can’t live for today and never look past tomorrow. But…neither can we focus so much on our future that the dangerous seed of discontentment is sewn in our spirits.
The Bible says that we will enter the kingdom of heaven, unless we become like the children. Personally, I think this means many things, but for today, I’d like to look at the complete wonder and joy of a child.
Parents are supposed to take care of their children. And, when parents do their jobs, children are free to be…well, children. They don’t stress about money or food or shelter or clothing or anything more serious than that Johnny wouldn’t play with them during recess or Susie wouldn’t sit with them at lunch. Children have this superpower. They can let go of everything and simply enjoy life. They live in the moment.
Just like a child in the grocery store, what can you do to ‘forget the cost,’ so to speak, in life? How can you find joy in the work you do everyday? How can you learn to thank God for Mondays? Whoa, now, slow down! I didn’t say Mondays would be easy! Just that…perhaps there’s a way to look past the now, a way to appreciate what we have, and a way to plan ahead so we can create the future we want instead of dreading the one we have. And in doing so, learn to love the now, even the Mondays.
I don’t want to be so foolish as to mismanage my money, talents, time, and life. I don’t want to disregard the cost it takes to maintain my life and grow in it–and I certainly refuse to disregard the cost it took to purchase my life from the gates of Death himself–but I do want to let the stress go. I want learn to find a way to enjoy what I do for a living so that Mondays aren’t always so dreadful. I’d rather use my life for joy than complaints. If I waste my time bringing negativity into my life, I’ve wasted the opportunity to bring positivity into it as well as into the lives of others. I’d rather look through the lens of childlike wonder and amusement, even when it gets hard, so that my life becomes a stack of good moments, rather than bad ones.
Furthermore, I think infusing more childlike wonder into my life during the ordinary days will make it easier to see the silver lining during the stormy ones. Think about it: if you practice playing your instrument every day, you get better at playing that instrument. If you run every day, you get better at running and you stay in shape. On the other hand, if you stop working out, your muscles don’t get stronger. In fact, they become weaker. Build your spiritual muscles as well as your physical ones. Practice being joyful, grateful, and full of awe. If you can learn to be content with your surroundings, your situation, then you will have a life you can enjoy instead of one you dread and complain about.
Now, as for looking past the now. It’s crucial you don’t simply settle for the muck you’re in. The Prodigal Son sure didn’t. Your life should be a journey and you should grow stronger every step of the way. Don’t be envious and bitter about what you don’t have (learning to be content as stated above), but don’t be content with mediocrity either! Don’t be okay with lying, cheating, stealing, or even being passably okay. Challenge your character. Grow to be better. Be grateful for the house and family you have, but plan for the time you’ll have to take care of your parents or yourself in old age. Plan for bigger and better things instead of soaking in the mire of “it’ll always be this way.”
Finding balance isn’t easy. I don’t think it’s supposed to be. But that challenge is necessary. It’s a lifelong challenge, so don’t expect to get it right in a month or even a year; and don’t throw your hands into the air when you fail. Just get back up, brush your knees off, and remember that every failure is another brick you can use to build your staircase to success.
Don’t forget to find the pure joy in the life you live. Don’t wish your life away because you’re in transition and feel homesick for a place you’ve never been. Don’t abandon that childlike wonder that’s still burried somewhere deep in your spirit. Love your life. Love it now. And look up. Look up, plan, set goals, and steer toward those goals. Find a way to both rejoice in the precious gift of life you’ve been given while ensuring that you live a life worth rejoicing in.
Love always,
Coralie