Do you consider your material possessions as the best things that you have in this world? Are the objects in your life all that matters to you? If yes, then, you have to realize that you need to know the right ways of properly managing your material objects.
Life is valuable – don’t waste it chasing possessions
You can become happier when you pursue less instead of pursuing more. For some, this might not be the case but for others, they will surely agree that this is definitely true. But the problem is, right from the day that you were born into this world, you have been told of something different – that more material objects mean more joys.
And since this is a message that you heard a lot of times coming from different angles, you actually started believing. This is the very reason why a lot of people work long hours just to earn money and buy nice things. However, the moment that you hear the message that more joy awaits you when you pursue less compared to when you pursue more, deep in your heart, you know that this is true.
Material objects do not equal joy and you know that your life is way more valuable to just waste it chasing these things. You only get one shot at life so as much as possible, make the most out of your limited time on this earth by managing the things that you own. While there is nothing wrong to dream of having your own laptop, a smartphone, a tablet or a car, you still have to know that these material things are not your only source of happiness and fulfillment.
Use them as they are meant to be used but do not go to the extent that they become the whole world to you and you end up forgetting the things and the people that matter the most in your life. Always remember that happiness, joy and fulfillment are things that can be found in life’s invisible things: relationships, hope, peace, and love. You cannot find these things offered on sale at the department store in your area nor can you buy them in discounted prices.
If you already have a smartphone or a tablet, be contented with it and don’t overwork yourself just so you can get more. When you do so, you will only end up wanting more because at the end of the day, these material objects will never be able to satisfy the deepest desires of your heart. As you wake up every morning, remind yourself that your life is too precious to just waste it going after material objects. If you want real joy, choose to go for “better,” not “more.”
Journaling
Did you ever try keeping a personal journal? If this idea is new to you, then, you will surely be more motivated to keep one once you have finished this chapter and learn the wonderful benefits that journaling has to offer.
The Perks of Keeping Your Own Journal or Diary
For hundreds of years, journaling has already been around and a staple part of the lives of the people from different countries. In fact, it was through the personal diaries that information regarding governments and countries was discovered, together with the people that lived during certain time periods.
Today, journaling has become a way for people not just to express themselves but also to learn more about themselves. By keeping your own journal, you are also going to experience a lot of benefits, especially when you write it on a regular basis.
For starters, journaling will help you in clarifying your goals in life aside from allowing you to write down your ideas and achievements. With your journal, you can clearly see the steps that you take towards reaching your goal while simultaneously giving you the chance of seeing the exact point where you stand and how much further you still need to go for your goals to be completed.
Journaling can also help in making your life simple. Many people tend to make their lives more complicated than what it needs to be. There are a gazillion of things that have to be completed every day but if you will take some time to sit down and write on your journal, you will be amazed how you will start seeing the things that really matter in your life.
Write down in your journal the values that you believe in and think of things that you are thankful for in your life. Journals also have this amazing power of making you express what you feel about your relationships and your life as a whole. By keeping a journal, you can have that private place where you can vent out the frustrations that you have with your relationships.
Journaling gives you the chance of realizing why you feel bothered by a person’s certain aspects and how you can change the way that you handle specific situations. Your journal will teach you how to love with more conviction and power that can make your relationships clearer and definitely much stronger.
The last but definitely not the least, journaling allows you to get to learn yourself even better. You can discuss about your values, morals as well as other beliefs. Through this, you can clarify your own stand on particular topics and at the same time, you can also express yourself in a clearer manner.
If someone happens to ask you about one controversy or topic and what your thoughts about it are, it will be easier for you to lay down your opinion in just several seconds, which will then make you as someone who knows yourself well in the eyes of other persons.
Excerpted from the book What Deserves Your Attention.
This excerpt has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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