Life is Too Short

Life is too short…..

1.  To live an unhealthy lifestyle.  Two-thirds of America is overweight.  We consume mounds of poisoned foods and drink gallons of poisoned beverages. The typical American eats an average of 100 pounds of sugar each year!  Then there is all the stuff people inhale.  Heart disease and cigarette-related cancer are the two leading causes of death in this country and most of it is preventable.  Life is too short to end up with a body wracked by neglect and deliberate abuse.  The next time you’re in Wal-Mart and you see someone on a scooter pulling an oxygen bottle behind them, get a vision of your future and what you want it to look like.

2.  To live a life of inaction.  People often get stuck in a rut they can’t get out of because of fear, guilt, or paralysis.  Or laziness.  Or procrastination.  There are things I want to do with the second half of my life and it will not happen unless I take action.  Your second half of life will be shorter than your first half, so “times awasting.”

3.  To put up with negativity.  The workplace environment is often filled with so much negativity that it’s easy to turn negative and pessimistic yourself.  Fight back with a good sense of humor.  Distance yourself from negative people.  Don't put up with fools.  Eliminate toxic relationships.  Eliminate your own toxic behaviors.

4.  To be concerned about everyone’s opinion of you.  Oh, the time and emotional energy I have wasted worrying about what people thought about me. Was I wearing the right thing, did I say it the right way, could I have been a better pastor, could I have done more to keep them happy?  After I burned out, I decided to that my own emotional health was more important than other people’s opinions of me.  I decided to be the one who was in charge of my life.  Of course, the opinions of my loved ones, friends, and important colleagues still matter, but I am much more confident and determined in my own decisions nowadays.

5.  To be financially illiterate or undisciplined.  Get smart about the money you have.  Discipline yourself to save. Quit spending money like there is no tomorrow. Get out of debt as much as possible.  Cut up your credit cards if you're using them to maintain a lifestyle you really cannot afford.  Store up for your later years. Plan for retirement.  Your financial future is your responsibility.