From time to time I write a post talking about money or investing, which, I know, does turn a few people off.
But I do so simply because my goal on this site is to share good ideas and to help whoever takes the time to read my articles or watch my videos avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made and to benefit from my knowledge and experience.
I’d be amiss if I were to avoid talking about those topics because our financial situation does play a big part in our lives.
That being said, today I thought I’d talk about something we all love – FREE stuff.
About two minutes ago I clicked over to Facebook and checked my timeline and saw a lovely picture entitled, “the best things in life are free.”
When I clicked the link it came as no surprise to see hugs, smiles, friends, kisses, family, sleep, love, laughter and good memories were all on the list.
It did miss out oxygen, but otherwise a very powerful list and one that I try to live by each and every day.
Not a day goes by that I miss a hug and kiss from both my wife and son.
It has often been said that love is the most powerful force in the universe and I would have to agree.
People will do the most amazing things for the people they love and it’s important that we show those special people in our lives just how much they mean to us. Not just when we’re feeling happy but each and every day.
Each day when I drop my son off at his daycare we go through a little ritual that culminates in him giving me a jumping hug followed by a kiss.
No matter how late I am or what’s going on when I get there I never fail to do this.
Why? Because nothing could be more important to my son than knowing he is loved by both myself and my wife.
That will serve him well as he grows up.
It’s also just as important for children to see love between their parents, especially at a young age.
Laughter is probably the best stress relief there is and with everything that we see or experience, there’s nearly always something funny to laugh about.
And with a three-year-old in the house, there’s never a dull moment.
People often say I’m a goofy kind of guy because I love to do silly things, but I do so for a reason – I want to make people laugh.
Now there is a time and place for everything, so when it comes to work I’m dead serious, but when I’m at the park with my son, or playing with him at home I try to get into his head and think what would make him laugh.
So far, if you were to ask my wife or son, I think you’d find I’m a raging success in that department.
Good memories can only be created over time. But one doesn’t have to do something spectacular, so nor spend a lot of money to create them.
In fact, the combination of both the highs and the lows allow us to understand just what is special.
I’ve stayed at 5-star hotels and I’ve staying in little huts overlooking the Philippine Sea that cost less than a buck a night to stay in (that was then I might add).
Both were amazing experiences, just very different ones.
That difference is also what allows us to appreciate what we have that much more.
In today’s modern society we have access to anything our hearts’ desire, but in doing so the joy of getting is somewhat lost.
Today it takes no time to research how rockets work, or what a word means, or where we can find a book. If you’re like me, you’ll remember that not that long ago these things took time.
It took more of an effort, but when we got what we needed we felt a sense of achievement.
Many of the children I have had the pleasure of teaching don’t realize how lucky they are. They have accepted that life is this easy.
Each generation builds upon the next but the one thing we forget is that our body and mind thrive on challenge.
That is how we grow as individuals.
Take that challenge out and we run the risk of damaging ourselves.
But here’s the good news – challenge is also free.
Personally, I love challenge and am always reminded of the words of my mentor, Jim Rohn, when he said, “Don’t wish it were easier…wish you were better.”
Ever since I heard that I made a decision to make myself better.
A better parent, a better friend, a better business man, a better manager. By becoming better I am able to handle situations that once I couldn’t.
The first chapter of my book, iSucceed, is devoted to gratitude and I start it off with a quote by Cicero, the great orator, and think it’s one worth repeating here. “Gratitude is not the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
So why not start by appreciating all that we have in our life that is free – the air that we breath, the friends that we have, the love that we share.
Do that and I think you’ll soon find that no matter how stressful your life may seem that today is a good day.
Adrian Shepherd