The wholesome lifestyle, just what is that? I can tell you what it isn’t. It isn’t trying to beat your neighbor by purchasing a better car, yet the commercials would like us to think that!
It’s not about compromising your values about life! If you have an elderly parent living with you, it may show others your priorities. Or if there is a family nearby who needs shopping done for them, it isn’t healthy for you to ignore them.
A new cool dress on a hot summer day.
It isn’t about swearing or rudely yelling at the neighborhood kids. Yet I recall hearing a neighbor do that when my son was younger. The man was very self centered and unkind. I later learned that he had dropped his daughter on her head several years before, because of a bad temper.
It isn’t cheating on your income taxes to get ahead. It isn’t stealing paper clips from the office you work at to save a few pennies. It isn’t being self centered!
So here are a few things that contribute to a wholesome lifestyle!
1-It’s about teaching children to compete fairly. Playing family games. Setting a good example. Teaching ourselves and our children to be a good winners or losers.
2-It’s about being the best version of yourself (Matthew Kelly’s books are all based on this premise). It’s giving some of our time to those around us. When was the last time you asked if you could pick something up at the store for your neighbor?
3-It’s about learning to have a good attitude. When your own yard is full of leaves, but you help someone else do their yard with a smile.
4-It’s all about being thankful for the ability to walk into any store and get food when we want it. We don’t have to deal with flooded homes, war torn homes, or poverty. We all have the opportunity to earn and spend.
5-Manners are never lost. Being grateful and letting people know how much you appreciate them is part of living well.
6-Learning to accept what we have and be appreciative. It may mean having clean clothes, food on the table, and running water. The ability to see a doctor or get immunizations for our families is an marvelous opportunity.
7-It is humbling to be on the receiving end. I bought something at a garage sale earlier this summer. It was a toy for a grandchild and it was really cumbersome to carry home. A younger neighbor offered to carry it for me down the block. It was so appreciated as I needed the help.
8- Going out of your way to show kindness is good. When my daughter was unable to lift anything over 5 pounds after surgery 6 years ago, a friend from her church came in the morning to help her with the baby until I arrived. Giving and receiving gifts of time are wholesome values.
9-Passing on clothes from one family to another helps us not to waste. When my children were small, the family across the street had children. She was pass on clothes for my daughter and I would pass on boys items for her son. We both benefited on saving money and helping each other.
10-It is about reading and keeping up-to-date with magazines and books. Education is something that no one can take away from us.
11-It is about going to church, school events, or community runs and being part of a larger family.
We don’t have to have everything new. We don’t need to match. We don’t have to be clones of one another like the Jr. High kids seem to think! We need to be caring and compassionate; accepting and nurturing to one another. Despite our differences, we need to reach out and accept that we all want to be healthy and needed. We need to follow the basic 10 commandments and the laws. Be kind!
I just heard a Podcast featuring **Derrick Tennant share about his “obstacle” becoming his “opportunity.” We all have “obstacles” in our life that can move us and other people forward.
Enjoy your week and “Delight in Living!”
* Matthew Kelly at www.dynamiccatholic.com
**Check our Derrick Michael Tennants page @ www.derrickmichaeltennant.com