Live Wisely With Dignity: Live wisely with dignity. In the right way keep up...

Live Wisely With Dignity: Live wisely with dignity. In the right way keep up...: Live wisely with dignity. In the right way keep up with the Joneses. Seek real riches that are in your best interest. Seek out the best ...

Live wisely with dignity. In the right way keep up with the Joneses. Seek real riches that are in your best interest. Seek out the best personalities to model your life after and pay attention to what you are being fed by the media.  Some of these things may become a blessing or a curse if not done correctly.

In the wrong way some people keep up with the Joneses. Almost everything is a matter of choice so be careful.  Pay strict attention to the Joneses. Do not be attracted to their material possessions but in their lives see what good things they do. Are they respectable people? Are they fervent in their Christian walk? As neighbors could you depend on them to extend a helping hand in time of need? Do they flaunt their wealth? How do your neighbors and friends regard them? Make it your goal as a chance in a lifetime to emulate some of their good qualities. It was an Irish playwright and the founder of the London School of Economics George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950) that wrote, “Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” By modeling and portraying what is best for you - that is the way how you must begin to create your lifestyle, in keeping with what you have learned from the Joneses.

Alluring Desires

In life there are alluring desires around every corner. A person only have to switch on the mass media and he is bombarded with multiple images. Whether it is TV, computer, iPhone or some social media, there to greet him is a myriad of sounds and good and bad pictures. Many visuals may be ads that seduce Americans by telling them how better off they will be by using certain products. Sex, riches, beauty, speed and money are frequent themes. It is wise for us to remember that money and power that are portrayed so blatantly are nothing more than false idols to be ignored. You have to be wise therefore in moving away from choosing those images that may harm you and, or your children. Particularly, those products and issues that tend to promote a self-centered lifestyle. Life is about helping people in the right way, not selling them alcohol and an overabundance of products to drown out their problems.

It is a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet and critic Soren Kierkegaard (1813 – 1855) that observed, “Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts.” What we are fed becomes the way we operate and value society. These aspects are what will take center stage of our life. So a proliferation of crime, disaster, betrayals, embezzlement, social revolutions and wars will tend to capture our imagination and beliefs. Much worldly power is centered around these atrocities themselves or countering them. As an English Catholic historian, politician and writer Lord Acton (1834 – 1902) noted, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It is wise for us therefore to avoid such a power-play that may further corrupt our minds.

Defeat And Failures

Often when we are entangled in worldly situations these will lead to a run in with the law. Any good citizen entrapped in such a vicious cycle will be dishonored and his name will be dragged through the mud. We do witness news reports about numerous crashes, bankruptcies, crime and violence. Prostitution is alive in the tourism industry and this vice leads to an exacerbation of some health issues. Through poor nutrition and lack of exercise people may experience the throes of life that contribute to more health problems.  Persons may lose hope about living because they are crushed by life's troubles of pits and bogs. These are problems whereby living wisely and dignified will enable a concerned citizen to avoid. By taking positive steps against them we must actively work at anticipating and fending off difficulties of defeat and failures.

Climb A Mountain

When in a valley set your eyes on the mountain top. One good way to do this is to actively embrace Christian principles for living. Accept our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in your life. Let Jesus be your model in bearing your cross. By so doing you will be transforming your life, for only through Christ you will be living wisely.  In all things He is the abundant One. From now on you will view your life completely different with a new perspective. Every day your life will be renewed through your faith in Him.  When it takes a turn for the best you will experience the joy and suffering like the saints. As an American publisher and author William Feather (1889 – 1981) wrote, “One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” By this adventure you will see yourself living more compassionately and soon realize that when you depart this world, you will experience eternal salvation.  These things my friend are the epitome about living a purpose-filled life wisely with dignity - for you would have ascended to the summit of the right and true mountain top.