A few days ago I read a statement that has had a tremendous impact on my thinking. The statement goes: Be kind to unkind people, as they probably need it the most.
If you will think about this statement I believe you will agree, we can't be kind to unkind people if we are not organized, live a balanced life and are at peace with ourselves. This statement, contained in a wonderful article sent to me by my friend George Pickett, was only a small part of a larger group of statements that, taken together, are some of the best I have ever read. While I don't know about you, I am always distressed when I see a dysfunctional person or family because they are missing out on a quality of life that only a small group of people in our society ever attain.
I will be the first to say that we cannot live our lives based on a list of rules or advice from others, but there is quality information all around us that would be very helpful if we would just slow down long enough to meditate on it and then apply it in practical ways. With that said, I would like to share the other statements contained in the article George sent me. Please take a moment and ponder each one. Here are the statements and they are numbered so we can place the emphasis where it belongs.
1. Pray.
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say "no" to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and un-clutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups: an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut) This simple piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the kid in you every day.
16. Carry a spiritually enlightening book with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite Scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank You Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more.
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. And to repeat the title line, be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you are grateful for that you had never been grateful for before.
As a faithful reader, I am grateful for you.
This column was originally published in October 2011.