Guest Post: "What Makes Life Worthwhile and Meaningful"

   
Photo Credit: Penelope Vasquez

     After reading this guest post, by Marnie Piuze, you'll most likely be as obsessed with her as I am.

And you should be a bit jealous. I see her and hug her almost every week.

Thank you, Mama Marnie, for sharing your rich, rich wisdom with my readers and I.

For more information on Marnie, you can visit her at: www.marniepiuze.com

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1. Relationship

     Jesus said LIFE means to know, perceive, recognize, become acquainted with and understand the only real, true God and His Son (John 17:3) Be hungry for this. Be thankful (perceive His love gifts to you). The Goal is to fully trust Him and stay closely connected to Him. This is key to abundant (worthwhile) Life.

     HOW?

     Intentional priority of time, energy, focus must be 'get to know Him'! From that relationship flows capacity to be in healthy, mutually beneficial relationships with others which can be pursued with same intentionality of getting to know someone and developing true friendship, both giving to them and receiving from them (taking risk of hurt or rejection as part of the price of truly knowing the other--worth it!)

2. Making a Difference (Meaningful Pursuits= Satisfaction)

     This does not come from doing something big or impressive (or what our culture defines as worthwhile). It comes from doing today's job with a positive attitude.We truly make a difference when we respect people and are willing to serve them in love, because we know God.

     The way we do something matters more than what we do...to God, others and to us. We will never experience satisfaction until we recognize that it is the small things that really make a difference. Doing these well = stepping stones to what we see as worthwhile (but in the doing our perspective changes and we see the value in the seemingly little now).

     I think of someone like Mother Theresa whose impact was huge but came from thousands of tiny, seemingly insignificant acts of service...done in love and compassion. We can have the same heart for people and therefore make the same difference to some--Whether anyone else recognizes it or not, it will still be meaningful.

3. Fascination (Being a Life-Long Learner)

     Enjoying life by growing in understanding and/or skill in some area(s) of interest. This brings ongoing daily pleasure which includes an expectation of increase, expansion that is part of hope for our future.

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(Below, an addendum that Marnie wrote to her daughter regarding this subject...)

     It seems to me that this is why Uncle Dave was always smiling and laughing-he was interested in so many things, he enjoyed discovering the 'gold' in people, he did everything with zest -- because life in this world was fascinating to him!

     All these things have to be cultivated. We move into these with purposefully chosen attitudes and actions. And we can ask daily for Holy Spirit help to truly love, serve and enjoy --this is the kind of living God wants for us! And will be meaningful in every sense.

To see one of my favorite Marnie Puize paintings, "Town Dock" click here.

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