"Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."
Those words by humanitarian and poet Samuel Ullman graced our worship bulletin last Sunday in church. I'd not heard them before even though most of us have heard similar sentiments voiced in other quarters.
Enthusiasm is so catchy, isn't it? And when people stay true to their ideals and passions, it is infectious. Others want what they have!
About what are you passionate? What ideas put fire in your belly? Which ideals move you to action? And are they truly moving you to action? It's good to stop now and again to ask such questions—and see whether there are some new directions we need for our lives. Sometimes it's simply tweaking what we're already doing, whether that's in our careers and vocations or in our hobbies and avocations. It can be in our relationships as well. Sometimes it's an attitude adjustment so our enthusiasm can be revived. Living in gratitude helps with that attitude adjustment.
I don't mind wrinkles on my skin. But I really don't want wrinkles in my soul. I'd love to stay engaged and passionate right up to the end. What about you? If you answered in the affirmative, what are you doing about it?
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