Life is complicated, no doubt about it. There seems to be no limit to the expectations we find ourselves under. It can be hard to separate societal expectations from the ones we place on our self. The result can be too much stress and a feeling of overwhelm that overshadows every aspect of life.
I think the key to living a happy life is being able to take inventory of your own life. On a regular basis, we need to slow down and really assess our situation. One needs to be able to identify what is really important, separating the wants from the needs. To successfully navigate through the grey areas, we should start with the most basic needs. It can get a bit tedious, but you really need to start with asking yourself, “Do I have a place to live? Do I have food to eat? Are there people in my life who care for me?” If you can answer, yes, then you are blessed. Beyond that, things start to get fuzzy.
We all have goals for life, and our perception of our quality of life is often colored by our expectations. Sometimes, we get so focused on getting what we don’t have that we lose sight of what we do have. It’s human nature. We all struggle with it.
It’s important to keep perspective of your life. If you find that idea to be elusive, think about it this way—another term for perspective is point of view. What is your point of view when you are assessing your situation? Have you ever thought about how vague certain everyday words are? Words like: more, enough, and less. They are not quantitative, and are open to interpretation.
There is a place right in the middle of everyone’s life that is the place of gratitude. This is the place where we see things for what they really are. This is where we can put real value on what is enough, and how much is more, and be honest about when we need less. It is the place where your heart is open and your eyes are shut. When you can feel the love of God in your heart, then you are in the right place; this is where the place of gratitude exists. Out of this place is from where faith comes. It is a humbling place. It is the place where you will find God. From here it is impossible to compare your life to anyone else’s. Here it is between you and God.
In a perfect world, we would exist in the place of gratitude forever. But daily life has a way of distracting us and pulling us in different directions. This causes our point of view, our perspective, to change continually.
It happens to me, more than I care to admit. I lead a very busy life. I have a lot of goals around my family and my business. I believe that it is my mission in life to help others. I believe that coaching others to eat well and lead healthy productive lives is how God wants me to fulfill my mission. It is my passion; I am continually studying and taking training. My family is learning, right along with me. I am constantly making our home less toxic by switching to natural and organic. I truly live what I teach. But I feel that I could do more. Time and money are my limiting factors.
Sometimes I get really overwhelmed trying to do it all. “If only I had more time…” “If only I had more cash and less debt…” “I really just want time to enjoy my family…” Sometimes, my perception of my quality of life is that I am stretching myself too thin, and that I am working too hard. Sometimes, I get discouraged. This is when my faith gets weak–when I forget that it is God who is leading my life and I am focused on my own strengths and weaknesses.
Submerged in overwhelm, I cry out to God, “I am failing, please help me.” To receive God’s help, his comfort, and his wisdom, I cannot stay where I am. He beckons me to seek Him at my place of gratitude. It is there that He offers me grace, consolation, and peace.
With my faith in His providence renewed, I set out on my mission again to serve others, reminded that my quality of life is highest when I am focused on God and His will for me.
The closer I stay to my place of gratitude, the stronger my faith that God will provide all that I need. The farther I move away from my place of gratitude, the more my perception of my life changes and threatens to unbalance me. This is how it works. But I know my way back there, and I know God is waiting with open arms.
Psalms 144:2 He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.
