A Better Life
"Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." (Isa 55:2 NIV)
"I want a better life."
That has become the slogan of our society today. Everywhere we look there are
a thousand suggestions on how to live a better life. There are pills, exercises,
and diet books to help us lose weight so we can live a better life. There are
lotions, treatments, and surgeries to help us look better so we can live a
better life. There are cell phones, computers, and televisions to keep us
connected and entertained so we can live a better life. There are cars, clothes,
and fancy homes to keep us feeling wealthy so we can live a better life. There
are schools, classes, and colleges to get our kids ready to live an even better
life than we do. There are also jobs, cash, and credit cards to keep us spending
for all of these things so that we can one day, hopefully, have that better life
we dream about.
I want a better life too, but I don’t think that any of these things will help
me to get it. I have tried a lot of them over the years and while they may make
you feel better for a moment they don’t bring you the lasting happiness you
want. I have found for myself that the only way to have a better life is to live
a better life, and only way to give your children a better life is to show them
how to live a better life as well.
How do you live a better life? You start by living more for your soul and less
for your wallet. You spend more time hugging and less time buying. You turn off
the television and take a walk with your children. You smile more and worry
less. You spend more time with your loved ones and less time at the office. You
laugh longer and more often. You look in your heart more and in the mirror less.
You make your first job spreading joy rather than earning money. You realize
just how much God loves you and you spend your days sharing that love with
everyone you meet. And you always remember that your life is a gift from God and
how you live it is your gift back.
Joseph J. Mazzella