A Framework for Meaning and Focus
Better than Google Maps
As I get older, life's challenges organically encourage me to climb up the Maslow Hierarchy. I find it untenable to take a nihilist view of life or even a humanist view of aging. Equally, a simple "take life as it comes" leaves me feeling demotivated and perhaps even felling somewhat irresponsible.
At this junction, the stresses of finance, career ambition, and social status have diminished to a comforting background buzz. This provides the perfect white noise for a serious and meaningful review of my value framework, something that's been an important navigational system for guiding my journey.
Preparing the Ground
In this process, here are the questions I ask myself:- What do you really believe is true about how life works and why? (my worldview)
- What's really important to me based on my worldview? (my values)
- How does this work out in practical, day to day decisions, actions and challenges? (my priorities)
- How does this play out in how I spend my resources? (my stewardship)
Working from this tapestry, I've tried to make a few things explicit to help me focus and evaluate my decisions and actions. And, of course, every important thing needs a good acronym to make it easy to remember:
JOYES
Here's how I break it down, in order of significance:
J - Jesus and our relationship with the divine.
Relationships require active participation for continuous vitality. What's more important than hanging out with the ultimate entity in the universe? Relationships enrich us, transform us and are central to purpose and identity. See John 14:6, Luke 10:27, Matthew 22:37.
What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy him forever. Westminster Shorter Catechism
O - Others. Our interaction with humanity and creation.
We're not here in isolation, there's an eternity to interact with in the here-and-now. We each have a collection of relations that form the webs of our family and community. Dive deep, be kind, be brave. Sense the God-images resonating as you purposefully interact. See 1 Peter 4:7-10
Y - Yourself. The responsibility to steward our resources and health in order to run the race well.
It may seem honourable to neglect your own needs in light of opportunities to sacrifice for higher things. Yet, there is a wisdom to "sharpening the saw", a discipline of self-care that values who you were made to be and provides a platform of blessing for the long haul. We're not talking about being selfish, but about being responsible, self-compassionate, and staying steady for going the distance. See Ephesians 6:10-18
E - Experiences. A focus on life and what is meaningful versus being constrained by the trivial.
Take the time to reflect on the previous values and how these impact our time and energy. Allow yourself to experience life directly rather than shy away from things that will challenge and enrich you. Expect God to show up, look for the miracles rather than fear the risk of disappointment. Fully engage in the school of life, growing wise through constant learning. Graduate well. See Matthew 6:33
S - Simplicity. A proactive avoidance of distractions that can so easily blur what is of real value.
Remember where true joy comes from. Don't buy into the culture of accumulation and thinly coated status building. What you own ends up owning you. Why be a slave to the mundane and soul-sucking activities that have no ultimate significance. Actively clean up the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual clutter that detracts from your focus. Don't be enamored by technology but squeeze it's power to accelerate simplicity. See 1 Timothy 6:6-8
May you fill your life with JOYES
H.
Relationships require active participation for continuous vitality. What's more important than hanging out with the ultimate entity in the universe? Relationships enrich us, transform us and are central to purpose and identity. See John 14:6, Luke 10:27, Matthew 22:37.
What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy him forever. Westminster Shorter Catechism
O - Others. Our interaction with humanity and creation.
We're not here in isolation, there's an eternity to interact with in the here-and-now. We each have a collection of relations that form the webs of our family and community. Dive deep, be kind, be brave. Sense the God-images resonating as you purposefully interact. See 1 Peter 4:7-10
It may seem honourable to neglect your own needs in light of opportunities to sacrifice for higher things. Yet, there is a wisdom to "sharpening the saw", a discipline of self-care that values who you were made to be and provides a platform of blessing for the long haul. We're not talking about being selfish, but about being responsible, self-compassionate, and staying steady for going the distance. See Ephesians 6:10-18
E - Experiences. A focus on life and what is meaningful versus being constrained by the trivial.
Take the time to reflect on the previous values and how these impact our time and energy. Allow yourself to experience life directly rather than shy away from things that will challenge and enrich you. Expect God to show up, look for the miracles rather than fear the risk of disappointment. Fully engage in the school of life, growing wise through constant learning. Graduate well. See Matthew 6:33
S - Simplicity. A proactive avoidance of distractions that can so easily blur what is of real value.
Remember where true joy comes from. Don't buy into the culture of accumulation and thinly coated status building. What you own ends up owning you. Why be a slave to the mundane and soul-sucking activities that have no ultimate significance. Actively clean up the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual clutter that detracts from your focus. Don't be enamored by technology but squeeze it's power to accelerate simplicity. See 1 Timothy 6:6-8
May you fill your life with JOYES
H.
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