Episode 3 - Two practical steps toward implementing a transformational life-plan. Why hurry is kryptonite for your soul. Making the decision to love others changes US and it changes THEM. How Can We Get Better at Doing This? Practical steps: First...Slow down! John Ortberg: “Love takes time and time is the one thing that hurried people don’t have.” Most of us want to be more loving...but we are always in a hurry. Our hearts are in the right place. But we are too often irritable, impatient and unkind, because we are always in a hurry...committed to a 120% life-style. I only struggle with road rage when I’m late and haven’t left in time. I only get annoyed at the clerk in the check-out line when I’m in a hurry. I only snap at my wife or my kids when they interrupt me because I’ve made no allowance in my schedule for interruptions. When I’m overbooked...I have no margin - no physical and emotional reserve to respond meaningfully to the needs of others. For those attempting to grow in love, hurry is deadly... it’s toxic...it’s kryptonite. Love and hurry are two mutually exclusive life-styles. How do we slow down? First, Give priority to your major goals. Start saying “no” to other commitments that don’t contribute to the achievement of your own top priorities. “If you want to play the sax, you have to put down the rubber ducky.” (Big Bird) Second, Limit your screen-time. This should be obvious. Third, Build margin into your weekly schedule. Build a physical, emotional and time reserve out of which we can invest more in other people. And, in our particular generation, the single most important thing we can do to make it easier to love one another more consistently is first...slow down. Second...Look for opportunities to serve other people. When we are not consumed by the pressure of checking all the boxes on our own agenda, we can give more attention to the needs of others. There is a short prayer that I often make at the beginning of the day: “Lord, help me be sensitive to the needs of one person today with whom I can share your love in word or deed.” “Be kind to everyone you meet, because everyone you meet is fighting a battle.” “One person can’t change the world; but you can change the world for one person.” “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it., as I shall not pass this way again.” (William Penn) There is a tradition about John, the disciple of Jesus, handed down to us from Jerome, a fourth century scholar, who is best known for translating the Bible into Latin - Quote: When John lived in Ephesus to extreme old age, he could only with difficulty be carried to the church in the arms of his disciples. He was unable to give utterance to many words. He used to say no more at their meetings than this: ‘Little children, love one another.’ At length the disciples and fathers who were there, wearied with always hearing the same words, said: ‘Master, why do you always say this?’ His reply, ‘It is the Lord’s command, and if this alone is done, it is enough.’ End Quote ... If this alone is done...it is enough. To create greater happiness and satisfaction in your life...to make a more significant impact on our world...”love one another.” If this alone is done...it is enough. It’s a simple approach to a better life. The story from Jerome told in The Master’s Men, by William Barclay, p.39
