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Full Life? Or . . . Life to the Full!

For years I lived full. Full schedule. Full plate. Full speed ahead.

I found myself weary, wondering, "Is this really how it's supposed to be?"

And then it seemed God asked me to learn to live differently. To focus on love. To make time to listen to His voice. To embrace what He's called me to do and let all else drop away.

"Isn't that what I've already been doing?" I asked. "Don't you want me to be busy, to push myself to the limit?" It seemed the heart of heaven smiled and these grace-words drifted into my day. 'Daughter, I did not come to give you a full life. I came to give you life to the full.'" -- by Holley Gerth [Heart to Heart with Holley]

Jesus said, "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have in abundance . . . to the full, till it overflows" [John 10:10b Amp].

As we enter into a "busy" and "full schedule" Christmas season, take time to reflect on Jesus' mission statement. His whole reason for coming to earth was so we could enjoy life to the full until it overflows.

Society and our world teach us to push ourselves to the limit, be super mom, super boss, leave it all on the field, accomplish and succeed beyond everyone else. Jesus teaches us to enjoy the journey, watch the sunrise, listen to those around us, thrill to close family moments, take time to extend a helping hand . . . to just be.

Here are five steps to relieve "full life" and live life to the full:

Set Priorities. Have a chat with God and see what His thoughts and plans are for the next few weeks. Write them down.

Simplify! The clamor for your time and energy has no doubt already begun. But, in light of your God-Given Goals, your options are to do it, delegate it, or dump it. Eliminate what does not fit in your priorities. Delegate and involve others in those that do fit your priorities. For example, for a family meal, have everyone bring a dish instead of you doing it all yourself. For that office party, involve everyone and develop a new attitude that things don't have to be perfect, or choose a giving project the entire staff can be involved in. Embrace simplicity and enjoy.

Set Budget. There are lots of ways to make this Christmas season special without adding stress to your budget, either in your household or the workplace. How can you show people they are appreciated? Three years ago, we dropped the expensive gift buying even within our immediate family and began a new tradition of giving simply. Setting gift limits to homemade, re-gift (nice) and under $10, we set ourselves free to avoid commercial expectations and just enjoy each other. Letting people know what is special about them is also a great gift we call "Silver Boxes." Give these affirmations verbally in person or creatively in a card, letter, or video.

Set your boundaries. Is there someone in the workplace or your church who always ropes you into things you do not want to do? Have the conversation you need to have. Say no. Kindly inform your children that their wish list is not your command. Setting boundaries is about educating people on how they can treat you.

Be grateful. Take quiet time to reminisce about previous occasions that fill you with joy. Count your blessings one by one. Write them all down.

Full Life? Or . . . Life to the Full? I choose abundant, overflowing life! (Contented sigh . . . )

Ellene Meece lives in Meeker, Colorado and works with her husband in their natural resource company while running her own online store, http://www.Grandmastreasuresonline.com. Currently, she oversees the marketing for the FMIN Workplace Leaders Network and is on staff at the Meeker Chamber of Commerce.

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