Life provides four wonderful systems that affect nearly everything we pursue:
TIME • HEALTH • MONEY • DESIRE
We do not completely control them—but we are responsible for what we do with them.
We are born into a giant mystery that gradually unravels as we journey, question, stumble, learn and try again.
We participate in big events, little events and thousands of ordinary moments in between. Learning something new may be easier than letting something old go, but both are necessary if we hope to get the most from this short visit called life.
Before charging into your next event, pause at the wonder surrounding you—both inside and outside.
WHAT’S GOING ON? — THE BIG PICTURE
That is a worthy question for almost everything.
Sometimes it must be answered in the moment. Other times, the answer arrives during quiet reflection.
Plants, animals and insects eagerly take their turns at life. They respond to their design, circumstances and surroundings.
Then there is us.
We observe, question, choose, resist, create—and occasionally make a real mess before finally learning something.
WHAT’S GOING ON? — THE LITTLE PICTURE
Each of us is introduced to life and then faced with what to do with it—or what not to do with it.
Needs and wants keep presenting themselves as we move through daily discovery. Along the way, four powerful systems continuously affect our journey.
TIME
Every one of us answers to time.
There is the big picture: our earthly life has a beginning, a middle and an end.
Then there is the little picture: appointments, opportunities, responsibilities and the things we keep promising to do “tomorrow.”
Night and day regulate our conduct whether we appreciate them or not.
Time cannot be stored in a cupboard for later. Respect this precious gift and act accordingly.
HEALTH
The body performs countless tasks without waiting for applause.
We often take its marvelous workings for granted—until discomfort, illness, injury or age gets our attention.
Appreciating health does not guarantee perfect health. It means caring for what we have, seeking proper help when needed and refusing to wait for a breakdown before showing gratitude.
Try appreciating “better” before something gets worse.
MONEY
Unless you are a trapper living entirely off the land, money will probably knock on your door.
We learn, work, prepare and pursue opportunities to support ourselves and those entrusted to our care.
Money is useful, but it is a servant—not the host of your life.
Earn it honestly. Spend it thoughtfully. Save some when possible. Share some when worthy.
Then remind money who is in charge.
DESIRE
Desire is the inner “want to” that pulls us toward something.
It may lead us to build a business, repair a relationship, write a book, climb a mountain—or simply get out of bed and begin again.
Desire is powerful, but not every desire deserves obedience. Test it against wisdom, responsibility, faith and its effect on others.
A worthy desire does more than excite you. It helps direct you.
ADD IT ALL UP
Time, health, money and desire may arrive separately, in pairs or all at once.
There are no guarantees that each will always remain plentiful. They do not entirely answer to us—but we certainly answer for how we use them.
These gifts prefer to be respected, stewarded and put to worthy use.
We get to go along for the ride.
WORTHY NOTE
Do not abuse these systems or attempt to manipulate them carelessly.
Do not sacrifice all your health for money, all your time for desire, or every desire because money is temporarily short.
Balance does not mean possessing equal amounts of everything. It means knowing what requires attention now.
ALL CHILDREN BEGIN WITH THESE GIFTS
Watch young children at play.
They use time freely, spend their energy completely, create wealth from imagination and follow desire without needing a motivational seminar.
As we mature, we gain wisdom—but we also add complications.
Perhaps growing wiser includes remembering some of the simplicity we once knew.
QUALITY OR QUANTITY?
I seek harmony—the place where we sample the richness and wonder of life without trying to swallow the entire banquet in one bite.
Savor it.
Sip the taste of life.
Use what you have while you have it—and remain grateful to the Host who invited you on the journey.
PAUSE FOR CAUSE
Ask yourself:
- How am I using my time?
- How am I caring for my health?
- Is money serving my life—or ruling it?
- Are my desires carrying me somewhere worthy?
PEARLS INSIGHT
Life’s four wonderful systems are not trophies to possess. They are gifts to steward.
RICHIE SPEAKS
We are guests here.
Let us respect the Host, appreciate the invitation and leave something worthwhile behind when our visit is complete.
THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
And if there is more after this—thanks for that too.
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
https://pearlsforthesoul.com
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