Is There a Template for Your Best Life?

Before I delve into today's story, I would like to give a shoutout to my aunt Teresa, my first cousins, Mary, John, Tom, Mark, Patty, Paul, Steve, and David, who are grieving the loss of Dr. Thomas Mulligan, my dad's older brother, who is now in Heaven.  My prayers are with you.  Today's story is inspired from one of his mini talks with me during my childhood years.

Are you living your best life today?  If not, it may come down to three areas of your life.  When these three areas are out of alignment, chaos ensues.  The wheels fall off the bus.  I fully believe with every fiber of my being that the right alignment allows a fulfilled life.  These areas are your work, your family, and your faith.  Warning.  If you don't have room in your life for God, nothing else really matters.  

Consider how you rank these three areas of your life.  If work is number one, I have a feeling you are driven by things of this world.  What happens to all the "things" when you die?  Do they really matter?  That's why I'm not in favor of putting work as your number one priority.  In my opinion, you are not the best employee you can be when you do this because your family suffers.  Eventually, this will seep into your work life.  Your marriage will suffer and your relationship with your children will suffer.  

What happens when you put family first?  Sounds plausible, right?  Family first has merit but it lacks the most important part of your life, God as the top priority.  Family first means all those events that happen to be going on during worship time keeps you away from God's house.  It may be hard to believe that sports can be false gods.  The truth is, anything that keeps you from regular worship is a a false god.  No bueno for your eternal life.

If you buy into having God as your top priority, you are on your way.  The next is to rank family and work.  Many people I know choose work first because they want to provide for the family.  The challenge here is that when there is a conflict between these two, the family suffers.

The ideal template for your best life?  God first, family second, and work third.  Before you call me a slacker, let me assure you putting work after God and family, in my opinion, makes you a happier, healthier, and more productive employee.  Take a look at your template and consider doing some rearranging if you feel you are lacking the proper priorities.  Have a great day.