Better Choices Result in an Enhanced Quality of Life

One of the paradoxes of life is that in giving of yourself whether through your time, talent or other resources, you receive. It is in serving other people that the quality of your own life is enhanced. Service becomes a paradigm of the mind as it moves a person from a consumer to a producer mentality.

A consumer takes resources, while a producer is the creative agent through which resources are generated. It could be in a song written, a service performed, a problem solved, or myriad other ways. The result is that a positive outcome exists that was not there prior to the contribution.

Mysteriously this principle seems hidden from the casual observer. It's easier to focus on having our needs met rather than how we can meet the needs of other people. Such thinking happens by default. Marketers grow wealthy creating desires and solutions for every whim.

Jesus taught the principle of service through both example and instruction. Not only is it an antidote to depression, but it creates value for the person serving as well as the recipients. Such thinking liberates a person from self-absorption.

Since all truths are only valid if action accompanys them the second phase of reaching the enhanced quality of life has to do with applying what one knows. The subtlety of application is about as mysterious as the paradoxical principle itself. It is often overlooked because it consists not in grandiose works that command great attention, but in the small details of everyday living.

Small choices cumulate in a life that contributes a) little or nothing, b) a medium amount of results, or c)a significant impact. Life is a succession of small, seemingly unimportant choices, however, cumulatively they are the story of the life lived. Logically speaking then, the more choices one makes that contribute positively the more value one has added to the lives of other people. Going back to the teachings of Jesus He talked about God observing sparrows, the hairs of our heads, and the reward of even giving a cup of water in His Name.

So there is nothing that is insignificant. Life's purpose emerges in a pattern as small contributions are made day by day a life of value expresses itself and other people are served. Consequently one finds contentment in contributing to the welfare of others that would be missing if one lived only for one's self.

Intangibles are part of the holistic nature of the producer mindset. Thing such as a word of encouragement, positive affirmations, a smile, a cheerful disposition enhance the quality of life for people with whom one interacts. Years later, a person may not remember the details of interacting with other person, but the vague impressions linger.

An ad campaign told customers to "think different." That's why producers are more creative than consumers, they apply this approach to their actions. Not only do they know something other people don't, they act on that knowledge as they enhance the lives of other people and as a result reap the benefits themselves.