Recently I found myself in a place where after working a full day or running for hockey on the weekends that all I wanted to do was take a couch & tv break.  The problem wasn’t taking the break itself (maybe a couple times a week for 30 or 40 minutes), the problem was that I was thinking about it and striving for it.  I was idolizing the couch & tv break!  The energy and effort of wanting to be somewhere else was drawing from where I was.  It was dividing my focus and stealing the joy of being present with whatever I was doing.  It was also taking away from my want to work hard and get the most out of life – moment to moment I don’t want distractions, I want to live!

How about you?  I really believe that it comes down to a matter of perspective and vision.  I also believe that our society encourages the wrong perspectives and visions.  It’s the Freedom 55, live for your free time, relax, take it easy mindset that many of us strive for.  I have found myself caught up in this far to often.  Working, struggling, striving just to accomplish time to sit on the couch and watch a movie.  I have even found myself on many occasions feeling angry, and being short with my sons, if this lay around time wasn’t available.  Ever been there? 

Realize this, you probably have time that you could make use of better too, a few people already work 2 (or 3) jobs, but for almost everyone else, it’s probably more a matter of how you use the time you’ve got, than not having time.  If that’s true, then why are some people able to do so much more with their lives than others?  It comes down to vision and perspective.  A couple of years ago my bride, Natacha went to a Joyce Meyer conference and something that she came back with was a new attitude about dishes.  That’s right, dishes.  Joyce said it was all about attitude.  You have to do the dishes, but your attitude makes all the difference.  The key line was, “attack doing the dishes!”  Bottom line – work hard.  In fact my favorite book makes multiple references to working hard, even to the degree of saying things like:

“Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.” And, “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.”  And, “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.”   And, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”  And my favorite, “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance.”

So, here’s what I am going to do with my extra time as I move into this new season.  I am going to work hard and be happy there.  I am going to put a higher value on working hard and being fully present than wishing I was somewhere relaxing.  Is it time for you to stop chasing Freedom 55 and couches and starting living and serving those around you?

Join me as we walk into this new season and prepare to work hard.  Let’s get more out of this life, let’s take steps towards a brilliant future.  It will pay off, you will be rewarded for your efforts and it will be awesome.  (Absolute worst case scenario – you will sleep great at night!)

God Bless,

Dr. Brad, Dr. Paul, Dr. Dan and the New Life team