NOTHING SHAPES OUR ATTITUDES
MORE than focusing on our priorities, because
when we move toward our reason for being, the
result usually is happiness and peace of mind.
I recently read an article about a man who knew
how to keep a good perspective on his priorities.
He called it his "theory of a thousand marbles." At
age 55, he began to realize his weeks and his years
were flying by. He figured that the average person
lived to be 75, which gave him another 20 years,
so with 52 weeks in a year that gave him approximately
one thousand precious weekends left to
enjoy with the people he loved most.
So he bought one thousand marbles, put them in
a clear plastic container, and placed the container
on a credenza in his office. Every Monday, he
would take out one marble and throw it away.
He discovered that as his marbles diminished,
he focused more on the most important
aspects of life, and he observed, "There's nothing
like watching your time here on earth run
out to help get your priorities straight."
During the past year, I've gotten to know
Lance Wubbels. Lance is a terrific writer and
a great person. About a year ago, he gave me
a small gift book that he had just written for
Hallmark, titled: If Only I Knew. The book is
filled with gentle reminders to focus us on
what matters most. Here's a sampling of what
Lance had to say:
If Only I Knew ...
This was our last hug,
I would hold you tight
And hope to never let you go.
If Only I Knew ...
That even when everything in my life
Seems to go wrong
And comes crumbling down around me,
Even when my heart is broken,
God has promised
To always be with me.
Ah, yes ... If only we knew, we would treasure
special people in our life even more. Every
day could be our last. And you might have
heard it before, but it bears repeating ... "On
your deathbed, you will not say, 'I wish I had
spent more time at the office.' "
The love of your family, your friends, and
your faith will shape your attitude and determine
your true success in life.
Learn more about Mac Anderson, founder of
Successories and author of the Simple Truths book
series.