8 Super Practical Tips on How to Enjoy Life without Sacrificing the Future
We’re often told
that we should suffer now in order to succeed later. That in order for us to
have a good future, we should deprive ourselves of things we enjoy in the
present.
For the longest
time, I couldn’t accept that principle completely because I’ve realized how
short life is and everyone has the right to enjoy life and live it to the
fullest.
We’re also told
to enjoy right now while we are still young and strong. We should travel and
eat good food while we can still walk for a mile and our blood sugar is still
normal.
Lately, though, I
noticed that both ideas seem right but incomplete. The two ideas should complete and complement
each other. How? Let me explain.
Through the
years, the world has given us two different messages and perspectives.
Enjoy Later. The first message says that in order to
be successful, in order to gain wealth and build for the future, you have to
delay gratification. You can’t enjoy life now and expect to have a good future
upon retirement.
Enjoy Now. The second message says we have to enjoy
life now while we can. Life is short and we will never know when our last day
will come. Live every day like it’s your last.
I realized that
in order to live a full, focused, and purpose-driven life, we need to find the
balance between these two messages – and reconcile them into one! In one
sentence, here’s how to do it:
Live simply and enjoy life!
Live life now
and enjoy it to the fullest – without sacrificing your future.
How
to Enjoy Life without Sacrificing Your Future
Enjoying life
doesn’t always mean buying or spending money.
It has always
been the central message of this blog since the beginning. No matter how much
money you spend on “seeking happiness,” you will never find it. Because the
only true and permanent and lasting joy and happiness comes from our spiritual
relationship with God, not on material things.
Here are 8 super
practical tips on how to live simply while
enjoying life:
1. Be thankful. Thank God every day for life, for giving
you another day and another opportunity to live for His glory. Thank God for
the people around you, your loved ones, your friends, your pastors, your boss –
everyone. Even the ones who stretch your patience, they too have a purpose for
existence (if only to build your character.)
2. Be content with what you have. But never be satisfied with what you can
become. True joy and happiness is in the doing, not in the getting what you
want. Realize that you already have enough and that you don’t need more stuff
in your life to give it meaning.
3. Appreciate the simple things in life. Enjoy the quietness of mornings. Be in the
moment. Go outside and be active, run or walk. Take pleasure in nature. These
are God’s creations that our digital generation has been slowly ignoring.
4. Rediscover what’s important. Prioritize. Oftentimes we spend money on
shopping, going out, watching movies, drinking, smoking, and gambling… without
really enjoying life. And when we stop to think about it, they only bring
feelings of greed, frustration, envy, jealousy, and inadequacy afterward.
We never really
had time to do the things we really want to do, the things that give our life
meaning. Be still for a moment and really think about what’s important to you
and what you want to become.
5. Make people a priority. When you give priority to “stuff” –
gadgets, furniture, nice clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, etc. – then you will
definitely spend a lot of money. But if you prioritize people, the people you
love most, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy life.
When spending
time with family and friends, truly be with them and not with your phones,
tablets, or laptops. Have real conversations. Laugh with them and tell jokes. Encourage
and inspire them with your stories.
6. Find time for yourself. Give yourself a break. A few minutes a
day, one day a week, and a couple of weeks a year should be the minimum. This
is the key to sustaining your health and sanity.
Time alone with
God is crucial to recharge our energies. It gives us time to breathe, to pray,
and to contemplate about life. Try it and feel how refreshing it can be rather than
always rushing and being busy.
7. Sometimes, splurge. You shouldn’t restrict yourself from
expensive pleasures all the time — it’s not good to develop feelings of
deprivation. Once in a while, buy yourself something … or better yet, give
yourself a treat. My wife and I do this once a year every Christmas vacation.
Just remember to set limits and try to enjoy the splurge to the fullest.
8. Be in the moment. It may seem like a little thing to practice,
but it’s the key to enjoying life without sacrificing the future. Think about it
– you can spend a lot of money on eating out, but if you are not paying
attention to what you are eating you may not enjoy what you’re eating at all.
But if you cook a simple but delicious meal, and really taste every bite, with
a loved one to share, it can be tremendously enjoyable without costing a lot.
