Monday, April 23, 2012

Have to vs want to

What motivates us in life? When we go through our list of things we have to do during a week it would appear that a good chunk of our time is things we have to do. We have to work, we have to do this we have to do that. How many times have we thought or said "if only I had the time to...." The question is is time really the issue? With every single person having the same amount of hours in a week is this a valid argument? I'm not sure how each of us come to the conclusion of what is important, it may be faith, career ambitions, family, or something else. However we choose what is important drives the list of have tos. As I think about my life, my list of "have tos" is short if money is the motivating factor. In essence I work to get paid with money 25 hours a week. I'm sure this is an example I would encourage anyone else to follow. I recently told someone I worked only 25 hours and they started fantasizing about what so little work would mean for them. They started saying oh all I could get done, to be able to relax and not do anything. As I was thinking about those comments, I wasn't sure if I should be offended or take a look at my life and reevaluate the way I spend my time. Then I started thinking through the various things I did, the values I hold, and what motivates me. Can money be the sole motivator in life? I know I would like more and there are some things I would do if I had more money. But is that going to make me happier, or more fullfilled? I have freedom with my time, I can pick and choose what I do and don't do. Freedom is a blessing, but I do believe with every freedom (no matter what) comes responsability. What is my responsibility for my time? I believe first and foremost I am accountable to God with my time. If Jesus is the one example I would use to live my life how can I spend my time like He did? How can I care for, love, encourage, and to some small degree help others? Many times living with a special needs person we put the thought of "I have to do this for them." It is a bother or a burden. But is it really? What else would I be doing? What else is more important than the care and love I give Kyle on a daily basis. There are days when I do feel the drudgery but loving him isn't so much a chore as it is an honor.

No comments:

Post a Comment