If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time

                                                                                                  If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time

As we become older it may cross our minds on what could we have done differently. Many of us conclude that we cannot turn back the hands of time. We should not have any regrets or have any "should a, could a, would a" moments. However, I often think about if I had an opportunity to talk to my younger self what would I say. There are so many life lessons that I have learned that would be helpful. These are the things that I would say. 

Pray about everything: There may be times in your life that you think you have the answer to it all, but don’t be deceived. You should always pray. Start your day with prayer and end it with prayer. Also pray throughout the day. Pray in your decision making, pray for a covering over your household, your family, friends and your foe. “Pray without ceasing.” Philippians 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.”

Work smarter not harder: Anytime you are creating work arounds, short cuts, loopholes make sure you’re doing it in the best interest of everyone concerned. Do it honestly and with integrity. Allow God to impart ways for you to accomplish your goals in a shorter period that it may have taken others longer to do. Whatever you do, do it with a spirit of excellence and to the glory of God. He will make the most difficult things become so much easier.    

Save like there is no tomorrow: It’s very important not to spend every dollar you earn. Put some money aside for rainy days, emergencies and for retirement. The best time is to start early, perhaps with your first job and begin saving at a rate of 10% of what you earn. Tithe 10%, save 10% and live off the rest. Keep in mind that investing is a good way to start putting away a ‘nest egg’ for now and retirement. The benefits can be astounding.

Don't delay, pursue your dreams and vision: Charter out a timeline of what you would like to do in life at an early age. “Write the vision and make it plain.” Pursue your dreams and visions by getting a good education, complete your college degree. Once the responsibilities are added on, dreams and visions start to wane. You must consider others and how it will affect their life as well as your own when you make life altering decisions. Make decisions wisely. After that, “The sky is the limit to what you can have.”

Show love even when you can choose disdain: Love like Christ love, turn the other cheek and ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Make a conscious decision to love despite how someone feel or think about you.  Matthew 5:44, But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Laugh even though it would feel better to cry: Take advantage of every opportunity to love, laugh and live life to the fullest. It takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown. Keep on smiling, laughing and be joyful no matter what you face in life. Laughter releases endorphins that in increases your immunity to fight against sickness and disease. Crying is not a bad thing, but it should be done in perspective. If you find yourself being sad and crying more than usual, seek counsel. Psalm17:22 “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Embrace the season you're in and prepare for the next: Keep in perspective that all people don’t experience seasons in their life at the same time. Season come and go. Learn from the season you’re in and move forward. This will give you an advantage for the next season you enter because you’ve learned and is prepared for the next. Don’t allow setbacks or disappointments to stop your progress. “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” You may not have the resources right now to accomplish all your goals but give yourself time, spend wisely and you will see how hard work and persistence will work out in the end.

 I know that I cannot turn back the hands of time, but I will embrace what I've learned, grow from it and move forward.