I don’t know about you, but occasionally I get into a “Depression Funk.” It goes 
something like this:
- I’m tired. I’ve already taken a nap, but I don’t feel like tackling another thing on my To Do
- I’m tired of trying to save the world.
- Global Warming is way bigger and more complicated than what I can solve. Let somebody else do it.
- If not me, who else is going to take care of this problem?
- I’m tired.
Perhaps some of my funk is natural for a person in their mid-70s. But, I’m in good health. I no longer have a regular paid job, but I do have enough income that I don’t have to worry about being hungry, unclothed, or homeless. What I do have is the gift of TIME. How should I be using it? After all, people like Pope Francis or the President of the USA are older than me and haven’t given up on being a useful member of the human race. So…am I doing enough?
I recently relistened to a 6½ minute video 7 Daily Habits to Change Your life Forever. The author, Joshua Becker, proposes 7 daily acts to focus one’s life.
- Make a list of the 3 most important tasks I need to do this day.
- Exercise
- Turn off the TV
- Practice Gratitude
- Write something down
- Reset your kitchen
- Eat together
This list moved me past Am I Doing Enough? because I realized, “Hey, I’m already doing most of these. I don’t need to beat myself up, but neither am I free to just slink into old age and vegetate. The only thing I would add is:
- Take it to prayer
Maybe, since my daily life has a pretty functional rhythm for my current circumstances, I should let go of the guilt and focus on balancing my 3 priorities of:
- Personal life (Keep in touch with family + reduce Single Use Plastics at home)
- Service to my local community (Make sure my life regularly includes some hands on, physical service to those in need.)
- Influencing those beyond my home (Seek at least one way to impact systemic change beyond my home.)
Wrap all of these in a humble, faith-filled spirituality, i.e. Pray and discern!
Easy to write. Hard to do on a regular basis.
What helps you balance your personal well-being with the needs of those hurting among us and the future of the universe?
