Do you enjoy life?

In a world where there is this ‘dog eat dog’ mentality and everyone from the time they learn to walk is pushed to produce, enjoyment in life has dwindled. It is replaced by an undercurrent of anxiety that diminishes the potential any experience or act has for plain old enjoyment.

How many times have you asked someone if they play a musical instrument? Most times, if the person does play, they will tell you- and then follow it with an apology for their lack of true talent.

The hostess of a tea party may fret over the food she has served you- even though it is the most scrumptious of fare! And the young football player berates himself for the lost goal even though his wonderful efforts helped his team win the game.

We modern-age people have generally lost the art of enjoying life and having fun. Our competitiveness and the constant urging of our peers for perfection makes a lot of people not only anxious but irritable and lacking in confidence. No longer are we satisfied with doing our best- we constantly want to excel and outshine others.

Watching the animal kingdom can teach us to relax and enjoy life. A cat for example, is quite content with being simply, a cat. She lives as a cat, seems to enjoy her lot and seems to be generally content. She does not exhibit traits of anxiety as she tries to outdo the cat next door- she lives her life well according to her ability and does not compare herself to other cats. We see this in all the animal kingdom.

I believe we would do well to take a leaf out of the animal kingdom’s book and learn to be content with our best. It is not necessary to outdo everyone in life. The older a person gets, the more obvious it becomes that there will always be someone smarter or dumber than yourself. We have to learn to do our best and then relax a little.

Jesus Christ died that we might have an abundant and full life. We are to do our best and leave the rest to God. Seeking to outdo and excel others in matters brings us into the sphere of conceit and this causes discontent, envy, jealousies, arguments and strife- the complete opposite of holy living.

I believe that not enjoying one’s life is a sad state to be in and is not God-honouring. Doing one’s best and being content is the path to peace and enjoyment of the life God redeemed for you. Accepting your strengths and weaknesses will help you live a free life. Do you enjoy life?

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ’ Gal 5:22-23