A life lived for others–is a life worthwhile. ~Einstein
We continue our discussion on the relational component of our Wheel of Life.
The following is an excerpt from my book, In Search of PEACE:
All throughout the gospels of the New Testament, Jesus tells us to love and give. The Twelve Step groups I was attending when I first got sober taught me a lot about loving and giving.
Addiction, alcoholism, co-dependency, and depression brought on through self-pity, are all self-focused disorders. To get well we are told to get out of ourselves and help others.
As I slowly started to love and give to others, I found myself better able to live and enjoy life. The simple act of getting out of myself and putting the attention on others became a life-transforming process.
Today, loving and giving are pretty much second nature to me, but it took a lot of work, effort, and repetition to get to where I am.
Where are you today? What is life to you? Do you find yourself thinking of yourself and your problems more than thinking about how you can make a difference in other people’s lives?
If you feel as though you are little too much into yourself, try getting out of yourself by taking an interest in others and/or by taking an interest in a cause. You will be amazed at how this helps change your attitude and outlook on life.
(A disclaimer for the co-dependents: most of you become sick because you give way too much to others because your intent is to “fix” the other person or “create” an outcome. Try loving and giving with no strings attached. Try doing for others without anticipating an outcome.)
James 2:8 (NIV), “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
Additional Scripture: John 15:12-13, Luke 18:18-25, Luke 10:30-37
Name IT: Do you struggle with giving and/or always loving your neighbor?
Claim IT: When do you find it the most difficult to love and help someone?
Dump IT: Add the above thought to your Dump List and prayerfully turn it over to God one day at a time.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
