Four Life-Giving Steps to Live a Life Well-Lived

The small rhythms in our lives make us who we become

Face it, we all have a certain rhythm pulsating in our brains. It’s our prescribed habit to think one way out of a difficult situation. It’s the beat of our ingrained rhythms grooved into our minds. So, almost always without thinking we continue to live our lives on cruise-control.

Can we change the ‘beat?” Yes!

It is the sustained beats in the background that makes the music soothing to our ears. Rhythm brings satisfaction … But not always.

Have you ever had a melody you were listening to when the music got stuck and kept repeating the same seven notes over and over. Irritating, wasn’t it? This is why you keep making the same stupid mistakes. You’re stuck.

Four steps to get unstuck and get the cadence of your heart’s desire back on track.

1. Be at peace with yourself

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”- Socrates

Take stock of what, who, and why the center of your life does not have peace.

• What is it in your life that determines your mood for the day? Is it the weather? Maybe your living conditions? You can’t change the weather, but you may have the control to make a change in your living conditions. If so, do it.
• Who is the person or people destroying your peace? Is it in your power to make amends with them? If so, why not begin that process today?
• Why is there no peace in your soul? Have you forgiven the mistakes of the past? Is there a way for you to make restitution for your mistakes, sins, and missteps in your past life? If so, do it? Jesus is ready and willing for you to repent of sin and be forgiven. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9

2. Live a life of gratitude

“The more you express gratitude for what you have the more you will have to express gratitude for.“ - Zig Ziglar

We live at a time when we are constantly inundated with advertisements for more stuff. Our living spaces are full of stuff. We pay for off-site storage, which we fill to the roof. When will we realize life does not consist of things but relationships?

Why not begin with being thankful for the people you have in your life? Go ahead, express your heart-felt gratitude to these people. Write a text. Give them a phone call. Better yet, invite them for coffee and tell them how grateful you are for having them as a friend.

3. Practice faithfulness

“I do not pray for success. I ask for faithfulness.” – Mother Teresa

Faithfulness remains the unsung hero of living life to its fullness. Another way to say it is loyalty to the people you surround yourself with. Do not allow deceit to cloud your friendships.

Watch Jon Jorgenson on you tube explain How To Be More Faithful. Go ahead, click on this link, after you read the rest of my story, of course. I learned something and you will also.

4. Read life-giving books to give an optimistic beat to the rhythm of your life.

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” — Groucho Marx

Okay, okay, this quote was just for fun to lighten the moment. But it does contain a bit of truth. When I read, I let go and fall in step with the storyteller.

Most of the stories you will hear or read this week are negative. Over time you become what you read. Optimism will fuel a rich life. Why not read positive, life-giving books and stories. I’ve read Rick Rigsby’s book twice. It's that good—Lessons from A Third Grade Dropout. Right now, listen to his you tube talk here. His ten-minute talk will change your life.

So, put into practice the four-fold rhythms.

You’ll get a new rhythm bringing great satisfaction to your life.

1. Live at peace with yourself.
2. Live a life of thankfulness.
3. Live a faithful life.
4. Live an optimistic life.

Be encouraged. These four beats of rhythms in your life will cost you nothing financially. But you will be rewarded lavishly.

Live well, my friend

Richard