Be the Light

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The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but for many, it can also be a time of loneliness, struggle, or pain. As we celebrate the season, it’s important to remember that the love and kindness of Christ are needed more than ever. You never know what someone may be going through, and you might just be the only glimpse of Christ they see.

The Power of Simple Acts of Kindness

In the busy days leading up to Christmas, it’s easy to get caught up in shopping and to-do lists. But let’s not forget the power of simple acts of kindness. A warm smile, a thoughtful word, or a helping hand can make someone feel seen and valued. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus reminds us, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Every act of kindness is an opportunity to serve Him.

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Loving Others as Christ Loved Us

The true meaning of Christmas isn’t in gifts or decorations but in the love we show others. Christ came to Earth not for the perfect, but for the broken. He embraced people’s flaws with love, and we are called to do the same. In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Loving others—especially those who may be hard to love—is how we reflect Christ’s heart.

This holiday season, many people face pain—whether it’s from loss, financial strain, or personal struggles. By offering love, patience, and understanding, we show them the kindness of Christ. Your love could be the lifeline someone needs to get through tough times.

Being a Light in Someone’s Darkness

We are called to be a light in the world, especially during dark times. In Philippians 2:15, Paul writes, “Shine among them like stars in the sky.” As you encounter people this season, remember that your light may be the only one they see. Reach out to those who might be silently suffering—whether it’s a friend, a coworker, or a neighbor. Offer your presence, your prayers, or simply your ear. In doing so, you reflect the love of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.

The True Gift of the Season

Jesus is the ultimate gift to us—given out of pure love. In 2 Corinthians 9:15, Paul writes, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” This Christmas, may we all remember that the greatest gift we can give isn’t something wrapped in paper, but the gift of love. When we show kindness to others, we share the season’s true meaning.

Scriptures to Inspire Your Heart:

  • 1 John 4:19 – “We love because He first loved us.”
  • Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others.”
  • Romans 15:7 – “Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
  • Galatians 6:9-10 – “Let us not become weary in doing good… Let us do good to all people.”

This Christmas, let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus. This holiday season I pray that as we reflect on the love Christ has shown us, we let that love overflow to others. We never know when our kindness will be the light someone needs.

Merry Christmas!

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

Slow Down, Young Blood: 10 Truths About Rushing Adulthood

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Have you ever said to yourself, why did I ever rush to get here? And by here I mean adulthood. When we’re young, being “grown” seems like the ultimate goal—a magical land where freedom reigns, and all your dreams come true. But now that I’ve made it here, I’ve got some advice for my younger self. Here are 10 things I’d say to the younger me who couldn’t wait to grow up and the younger generation currently saying, “I can’t wait until…”

1. Adulthood Isn’t Just Freedom—It’s Responsibility

Yes, you’ll get to make your own choices, but every decision comes with consequences. From managing time to choosing a partner, freedom is a package deal with responsibility. And who knew that bills would be relentless? Rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, car maintenance—they all come due, and they don’t pause just because you’re having a bad month. Budgeting isn’t optional; it’s survival.

2. Enjoy the Time You Have Now

Those endless summer breaks and lazy weekends? You’ll miss them. Once you start working, time off feels rare, so cherish the carefree days while you can. When you’re young, time feels endless. As an adult, weeks blur into months, and years rush by. Make time for the things that truly matter because they will disappear faster than you realize. All good things do come to an end.

3. It’s Okay Not to Have Everything Figured Out

No matter how much planning you do, life often has its own agenda. Feeling lost or unsure about your career, relationships, or goals is more common than you’d think. The key is learning to embrace the journey instead of obsessing over the destination.

4. Cherish Your Friendships

Friends change as life gets busy, but childhood bonds are special. Make memories, share laughs, and enjoy the moments when you can spend hours together without worrying about schedules. As you age, your childhood friends won’t always be a text away. Careers, families, and distance create barriers, so maintaining meaningful friendships requires effort, scheduling, and lots of understanding.

5. Your Body Will Thank You for Taking Care of It Now

At some point, your body will send you “maintenance required” alerts. Gone are the days when you could survive on junk food and bounce back after a late night. Your body demands attention—regular exercise, balanced meals, rest, and yes, those annual checkups. Start healthy habits early—your future self will thank you.

6. Success Doesn’t Equal Happiness

Reaching milestones—whether it’s a promotion or buying a house—won’t automatically make you happy. Neither will chasing wealth. True joy often lies in the little things: meaningful relationships, personal growth, and moments of peace.

7. Comparison Is the Thief of Joy

Social media and societal expectations can make you feel like you’re behind in life. Remember, everyone’s journey is unique, and the timeline isn’t the same for everyone. Your journey is uniquely yours so BE GRATEFUL for each chapter in your beautiful story that God has written.

8. Growth Never Stops…You Will Never “Arrive”

I hate to break it to you, but learning will continue past your formal education. In fact, adulting requires constant discovery—whether it’s professional skills, relationship dynamics, or how to how to navigate a new phase of life. The most important thing you will learn is yourself—your likes and dislikes, what healthy boundaries you need to set with others, and how to be unapologetically you while evolving into the best version of yourself.

9. Failure Is Part of Growth

Adulthood comes with setbacks, and that’s okay. Failing doesn’t mean you’re a failure; it means you’re learning. Be kind to yourself and keep moving forward.

10. Adulthood Will Come Soon Enough—Savor the Now

You’ll be an adult for the majority of your life, so why rush it? Appreciate the simplicity of where you are now. Play, dream, and embrace the freedom to just be.

Adulthood isn’t a destination; it’s an ongoing process of growth, resilience, and discovery. While it can be overwhelming at times, it’s also filled with moments that make the journey worthwhile.

Dear younger me, adulthood has its perks, but so does being young. The future will be here soon enough—don’t forget to live and find joy in each moment you have NOW.

For more golden life ventures, visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

How to Lose Well

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Nothing lasts forever. All (good) things come to an end. The only thing constant in this world is change. These are common phrases we’ve all heard that attempt to explain the transient nature of this earthly life. These statements are all true, but they don’t always provide comfort.

Whether it’s the loss of someone’s spirit and personality due to a debilitating illness, a shift in circumstances, a failed relationship, or death, loss hurts. And many times what makes it hurt more are the feelings that remain. 

As I took time to be still and process the homegoing of a loved one this week, I pondered…what do we do with the hope, love, and faith that previously filled us up when we experience loss? Where do we place the hope that our loved one who battled an illness would recover? How do we carry the love that remains after the object of that love passes on? What happens with the faith in one more tomorrow when tomorrow ceases to exist?

As Christians, if we are suffering from the loss of a loved one to death, we are supposed to find comfort in the fact that our loved one is in a better place. We are to find solace in that they are no longer suffering and are resting in the loving arms of our Father. It sounds good and we believe that to be true. But, the reality is our hearts still hurt from the absence of their physical presence.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 147 verse 3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” That means we can bring our pain to our loving Father, trusting Him to heal us when we experience loss. That doesn’t mean we won’t feel sorrow for a time – after all, Jesus wept too, even though He knew about the miracle He would perform that would shortly bring joy to the brokenhearted.

The Word also tells us in 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 “God is our merciful father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” This verse answers, “What do we do with the hope, love, and faith that previously filled us up when we experience loss?” We pass it on to those who need it.

How do we lose well? We pay forward our hope, love, and faith to someone who needs it. And there is ALWAYS someone who needs it. 

I love the sovereignty of God. We may not understand His timing or every move He makes, but we can trust His ultimate plans for our good. 

If you’re uncertain about how to pay the hope, faith, and love forward, be sure to ask. Another promise found in Matthew 7:7-8 is “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

Caught Between the World and a Hard Place

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Have you ever thought to yourself, “How did we get here?” And by here I mean, today’s popular culture.

In a world where the pace of change is relentless and the pressures to conform are ever-present, living out the Christian faith can sometimes feel like navigating between a rock and a hard place. The journey of integrating deeply held spiritual values with the demands of contemporary society is both challenging and profound. 

Today’s society frequently promotes ideals that diverge from or sometimes downright clash with Christian teachings. In an era where success is often measured by wealth, status, and personal gratification, values such as humility, self-sacrifice, and service to others can seem out of place. Social media fosters a culture of comparison and self-promotion, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ call to love others and seek the welfare of the less fortunate.

I’ve found this clash to sometimes create tension in everyday decisions—from navigating workplace ethics to managing personal relationships. The pressure to conform to societal expectations can sometimes lead to moral compromise or a sense of isolation from the broader culture.

But there is good news…always.  There are effective ways to embody the teachings of Jesus while navigating our modern-day life. Here are some practical steps to live more like Jesus while engaging with a world that often celebrates the opposite:

1. Ground Your Life in Prayer and Scripture

Maintaining a strong spiritual foundation through regular prayer and Bible study is essential. Jesus often retreated to pray and sought guidance from God. By immersing ourselves in scripture and staying connected with God, we gain clarity, strength, and wisdom to navigate the complexities of modern life.

2. Embrace Simplicity and Contentment

In a world driven by materialism and instant gratification, choosing simplicity and contentment can be a radical witness. Jesus lived a life of simplicity, and His teachings encourage us to find joy and satisfaction in what we have, rather than constantly seeking more. Reflect on ways to declutter your life and focus on what truly matters—relationships, service, and spiritual growth.

3. Practice Mindful Engagement

Being aware of how digital media affects your spiritual life is crucial. Setting boundaries around screen time, engaging in digital detoxes, and focusing on meaningful, face-to-face interactions can help maintain a balanced life.

4. Serve Others with Compassion

Service to others was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry. Look for opportunities to serve those around you, whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, or supporting charitable causes. By actively seeking to meet the needs of others, you embody Jesus’ love and compassion in a world that often prioritizes self-interest.

5. Cultivate Genuine Community

Despite the digital age’s emphasis on virtual connections, strive to build authentic, face-to-face relationships. Small groups, faith-based communities, or local church gatherings can provide a sense of belonging and accountability.

6. Practice Forgiveness and Grace

The modern world can be harsh and unforgiving, but Jesus calls us to extend grace and forgiveness. Practice forgiving those who wrong you and approach conflicts with a spirit of reconciliation. This can be a powerful testament to Jesus’ teachings in a world often marked by division, animosity, and pettiness.

7. Live with Integrity and Authenticity

Living authentically and with integrity is a powerful witness. Align your actions with your beliefs, even when it’s difficult or unpopular. Your commitment to ethical behavior, honesty, and genuine love can stand out in a culture that sometimes values expediency over truth.

8. Seek Ongoing Growth: Embrace challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth. Reflect on how current trials might be refining your faith and character, and remain open to learning and evolving in your journey.

Living a Christian lifestyle in a modern world that often celebrates contrary values is undoubtedly challenging, but it also offers a profound opportunity for spiritual growth and witness. By remaining steadfast in faith, seeking supportive communities, and navigating the complexities of contemporary life with grace, Christians can find a path that honors their values and resonates with a world in need of hope and compassion.

For more golden life ventures, visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

Focus on the Good

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Have you ever noticed that when you’re in a crappy mood, the more you focus on what put you in that mood, the crappier it becomes? Conversely, the more we revel in the good vibes around us, the better we feel.

Yep, that’s the classic law of attraction at play.

As humans, we sometimes forget the extremely dope gifts our Creator has given us. The chief among them is our ability to create. He’s given us magnificent brains that can reason, deduce, and produce, yet we often choose to settle on the lowest thoughts possible. Why is that?

It doesn’t feel good to settle there, but ironically it is a comfortable place for many of us. And that’s only because of programming, not because God designed us that way. 

Our programming, filled with constant negative news (what I like to call CNN), backbiting, gossip, trash-talking, pettiness, and cancel culture, is what’s keeping most of us from the highest level of thoughts our Creator has given us. But all is not lost. It may take a little more energy, but we don’t have to look very far for “the good” on which to focus our attention.

This scripture implies that we can always find something around us that is pure, lovely, commendable, and ultimately, good. When we focus on those things, we naturally feel better. And when we feel better, we often do better.

By the way, God didn’t promise that if we focus on the good our lives would be perfect. But He promised that if we focused our thoughts on the lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy, we would have peace. And the peace of God, my friends, is invaluable.

So if we found ourselves in a constant state of peace, joy, and contentment, what more could we do, be, and have with that positive energy? A better question…what couldn’t we create?

When life gets you down, look up.

For more golden life ventures, visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

The Power of Perception and Purpose

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This past weekend I watched a documentary on Hulu that has captured my thoughts for the better part of the last few days. Of course, this is a tell-tale sign that another golden life musing is on the horizon. 

“Brats” documents the love/hate (mostly hate) relationship that the young movie stars of the 80’s “Brat Pack” had with the name assigned to them without their permission, but took on a life of its own, nonetheless.

What I found fascinating about this film was how it gave a front-row seat to how one shared experience could have very different impacts on each of those who lived through it. And in their own words, it is clear how their lives lived since that experience was largely based on how they perceived it.

Andrew McCarthy, the man behind the film, seems to paint a picture in the first thirty minutes that the coining of the name for this group the Brat Pack essentially ruined the careers (and social lives) of those who fell into this category. After all, the witty phrase, a play on the popular ’60s group called the “Rat Pack,” came from David Blum’s 1985 article in New York Magazine that featured these new stars in a not-so-complimentary way. As I watched, it became clear that the author who started it all was trying to be more clever and salacious than hateful and disruptive in coining this term, but the collateral damage it caused was evident.

Like most of the children of the 80s, my experience with these films was a positive one. I heard later that the stars in these films were, in my eyes, affectionately called the Brat Pack, but I never knew why. Movies like “Sixteen Candles”, “Weird Science”, and “Pretty in Pink” were some of my favorites. But being in the single digits at that time, I was completely lost on the term’s negative connotation.

In the article, David Blum questioned the seriousness of this new generation of actors who gained a huge amount of notoriety and success in a short period during the ‘80s. Candidly, in his interview for the film, he was in a way poking fun at them, but not in a devious way. However, the result was this group of actors stopped socializing with each other off-screen, and some of them believed because of the popularity of the article, they were perceived as “brats” and essentially in their eyes, blacklisted in Hollywood.

The interesting thing, however, is that several of the actors associated with this so-called Brat Pack – Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez – went on to have varying degrees of success in Hollywood. Even some actors considered “Brat Pack-adjacent” and sometimes included in the group – Robert Downey, Jr., Nicholas Cage, Matthew Broderick, and Kevin Bacon – have had long, successful careers, despite their share of controversy and drama. 

So what made the difference for why some of these actors’ careers soared, while the others’ tanked?

I believe it had very little to do with their talents and everything to do with their perception. Of those interviewed, including Andrew McCarthy himself, the actors who believed that the article held negative power over their careers were those whose names you probably don’t remember. Conversely, those who didn’t put much weight on the article and its impact had varying degrees of success in the industry.

From Demi Moore’s perspective in the film, the article wasn’t as much about these actors as the author trying to be witty and make a name for himself. She didn’t believe it was flattering, but she also did not assign any value to it as it related to her career. It was no surprise to me considering her mindset, she was arguably the most successful actor of the Brat Packers. In contrast, another set of the Brat Pack actors believed that the article meant the end of their short careers, and for them, it was. 

We each have our own perception of what transpires in our lives, and as a result, we add meaning or purpose to it. Sometimes that meaning we attach to what happens to us can have huge implications. In this case, life or death of a career. To me, this means that we have much more power than we give ourselves credit. Our perception shapes our reality. 

So what if we consciously decided to perceive whatever happens to us, seemingly good or bad, through the lens of our power and not our limitations? 

In a way, the film touched on how the fear of the backlash and impact of the article essentially paralyzed those Brat Pack actors whose careers stalled following its release. Six years ago I wrote a blog post entitled “Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid,” where I shared some insights on using fear as a motivator for our pursuits instead of allowing it to be a blocker. I believe if we applied these principles to every area of our lives where we experience fear, we’d have way more of the success we desire. I don’t want to oversimplify life here and imply that undesired things won’t happen to us all at some point. But I do think that how we perceive those undesired experiences matters, and our lives will prove it.  

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

Love Lessons

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My cousins who were celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary came to visit my hometown of DC last weekend. That was not a typo. This couple has been married for 62 years. Being the curious person I am, you know I had some questions. I’m sure you can guess the first. “What has kept you together for so long? 

Minnie Lou and Alan Jordan

Before I get to their answers, I should point out that I haven’t written much about love here in Golden Life Musings. When I think about that it strikes me as odd because I like to refer to myself as a hopeful romantic. I love everything about love and romance. The mushy stuff and yes, even the hard parts, because I believe that’s what makes the great parts so beautiful.

Upon reflection, I think it’s because I’ve been waiting for my own love story to manifest. But the truth is, I’ve had a lot of love stories. They just ended more quickly than I envisioned. And while I’m “still single” as society keeps reminding me, I’ve learned many valuable love lessons worth sharing along with the wisdom of my cousins. 

Inspired by my cousin’s love story, I’m sharing 7 love lessons I pray will help you on your own love journey. (The first three are the ones they shared.)

  1. Communicate often. It seems so simple, yet it is also hard to do, especially when you’re in your feelings. Of course, every person has their own communication style, but it is important that when you’re part of a unit, you both communicate well. What does “well” look like you may ask? It looks like being honest and transparent, but also considering the other person’s feelings (no low blows). It’s being vulnerable enough to share when and how the other person has hurt or offended you without casting blame. You know you are communicating well when both parties feel heard and understood, even if there’s still disagreement.
  2. Forgive easily. This is a big one. When you love someone it is never your intention to hurt them, but if you stay together for any length of time chances are, you will. And how well you forgive determines how long you stay together. It is the responsibility of the offender to do their best to change their behavior so that it doesn’t happen again, but it is up to the injured party to forgive and let it go when they do. The longer you hold on to the offenses the harder it becomes to survive and thrive as a couple.
  3. Don’t be quick to quit. I know this is an especially hard one for the current cancel culture in which we live. The word toxic is thrown around so much these days it’s sickening. No pun intended. At the first sign of contention or disagreement, the first words are “I can’t.”  This culture has little to no “sticktoitiveness” (yes it’s a word now, look it up) with anything, much less in matters of love. Let me add, that while there are certainly relationships that are not meant for “til death do us part,” many could have survived if they had the perseverance and the tools. No one wants “struggle love,” but we’ve also got to understand that even the best of relationships have hardship and conflict.
  4. Know when to shut up. Some call it picking your battles. Yes, we should communicate often, but part of communicating is listening and having a discerning tongue. I admit, I haven’t quite mastered this one. And let me point out that none of us have mastered all of these lessons, including my cousins. That’s why you need the previous point and the next point. We are all a work in progress that will never be perfect.
  5. Give grace. You get to choose your mate but you don’t get to choose their flaws. Even if someone has everything you want in a mate, congratulations, you will also have some things you didn’t ask for – good and bad. The stuff you don’t like requires grace. And if you can’t accept their bad parts with the good parts, you should probably move along. There are always things we can improve upon and loving correction is useful. However, constantly highlighting the other’s faults and beating them up for those faults is the quickest way to sour a relationship.
  6. Love them while you have them. All love stories, even the good ones, come to an end. Since none of us know that end date, you should do something to make that person feel loved every day. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard both women and men speak with regret about what they could or should have done after a relationship has ended. If you chose them, show love to them. Because we each receive and give love differently, we must study and practice our partner’s love languages to ensure we love them effectively.
  7. Love yourself first. This may seem counterintuitive or self-centered to some, but having had the experience of loving someone who didn’t love himself I know all too well the value of it. When you love yourself you show up as a whole, complete person to your mate. God’s greatest commandment is in Matthew 22 where Jesus says, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.” If He calls us to love others as we love ourselves, we must first know how to love ourselves. It’s nearly impossible to love someone else well without that first love in action.

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

The Present Matters

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In 2022 Mom and I started what has now become an annual tradition of spending the month of January on a beautiful little island country named Anguilla. To say that it is completely restorative and refreshing would be accurate, and also an understatement. This time away has become necessary for my overall well-being.

It is during these retreats I have been the most reflective and in turn, inspired. On this trip, I have thought a lot about what it means to be present. To me, it means being fully attuned and connected to the moment of now. 

Mom taking a moment to soak in all the beautiful scenery in Anguilla, even on a cloudy day.

The time away, which consists of longer periods spent disconnected from technology, always allows me to savor the “right now” moments in my life. In fact, we can call this blog post a Part 2 to Right Now, a post I wrote two years ago almost to the day. As I reflect on the contribution that our devices have had on our growing inability to appreciate the present, I can’t help but consider how we got here.

For a moment it seemed that the global shutdown helped us in that it forced us to interact more with our loved ones at home. However, one of the many ways that it did more harm than good is that it reinforced and exacerbated our deep dependence on technology.  

We have become so tethered to technology that many of us have forgotten how to be with each other. We use our devices as a crutch during silent moments. Our conversations are often interrupted by the sudden pings of not just our phones, but our smartwatches, which keep us constantly “connected.” Sadly, however, we’ve never been more disconnected. Our fixation with our gadgets has in many ways made introverted people more introverted and even caused extroverts to become introverted. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing introversion. But when it happens at the expense of our abilities as humans to communicate with each other and appreciate what is happening right in front of us “offline,” Houston, we have a problem.

How did we get here?

One click…

One like…

One text…

One post…

One binge…

One emoji…

One reel…

At a time.

So how do we coexist with and benefit from technology while also remaining present to and focused on the beautiful moments in front of us? It probably looks different for each person, but I’ll start with a few of my own new habits.

  1. Setting boundaries around my technology. This includes keeping my phone on silent, only answering or responding during designated times throughout the day, and not letting every little ping interrupt me from what I’m focused on in the moment. It might even include at some point purposely leaving my phone behind at times. *Insert Gasp here.*
  2. Asking myself, “What is the present moment inviting me to notice or be aware of?” Searching for the beauty in each moment we get here on Earth helps me to value each minute I have. I’ve found most times, I don’t have to look very far for the beauty around me. It’s often in the people I’ve been overlooking when my face is buried in one of my devices.
  3. Changing scenery every so often. Going away to places like Anguilla is awesome, but not practical for everyday living. I’ve found that even just working from a new place in my house from time to time gives me a newfound perspective. And with a newfound perspective comes another opportunity to see hidden gems around me.

I always thought wasting time was about doing something pointless or unnecessary. Now I see the worst type of time wasted is experiencing each precious day on Earth that we’ll never get back again and not being fully present to the beauty of the things and the people around us.

We’ve seen movies and TV shows that point to the threat of technology completely taking over our lives. And yet, we seem to be completely unbothered by the fact that fiction is slowly but surely becoming our truth. 

So how do we fix it? I’m not here to judge or attempt to provide an answer because truth is, I’ve certainly been complicit in technology’s takeover. It’s a rhetorical question, but one I hope encourages all of us to ponder the individual roles we have in reclaiming our gift of the present. Because it is, in fact, a gift; and it matters to our humanity.

Tis the Season to Be Grateful 

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I’ve had two revelations recently. One – the more I age, the more I realize how little I know about this world. Sure, I’ve become wiser, as we all should as we age. But the more I know, the more I realize how little I know in comparison to all there is to know under God’s sovereignty. Before I get all philosophical and Ecclesiastes on you – because that’s not what this post is about – let me share the second revelation. With each holiday season, the less I want and the more grateful I am for what I already have.

I’ve made this personal because it’s my blog, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I’m not the only one who’s had this revelation. And while I said I was moving on from Ecclesiastes, I do want to point out something so wise, yet simple and still very relevant that King Solomon wrote in his nearly three-thousand-year-old segment of scripture. Most of what we treasure is meaningless anyway. Well, he said “everything,” but I’m trying to be a little less dramatic.

Before you get the wrong impression though, let me share why this revelation is so encouraging and full of hope. God has already given us the greatest and most valuable gift in the world. We don’t have to wait for it, nor do we have to do any toiling or spending to get it. We already have it. And that “it” I’m referring to is Jesus, in case you didn’t already know. Despite how cliche it sounds, it doesn’t make it any less true – He is in fact, the reason for the season.

I’ve believed in and accepted the gift of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit He left here with me as evidence of His presence for some time now. But the more I’ve gotten to know Him and about Him, the more I value Him and His sacrifice. And the more I value Him, the less value I place on the “stuff” of this world. And that is a gift in and of itself. It’s actually freeing to be more tied to Him and less tethered to the things of this world. 

But, let me be clear. I truly appreciate and am grateful for all the “things of this world” that God has allowed me to have. They have certainly made life more comfortable than it could have been without them. What this revelation has provided me with though, is perspective. And I think we could all benefit from a little of that.

Transparently, this perspective has helped me navigate this very uncertain and uncomfortable season I’ve found myself in recently. Without it, I honestly don’t know how I’d feel. But, what I do know is that I’m grateful. I’m more grateful than I ever have been. And yet, I have less than what I’ve had in other seasons of my life, from a worldly point of view.

I’m sharing this because I know that the more commercialized this season becomes, the harder it is for us to see what really matters, not just for the season, but in life. I hope my revelation has either reminded or ignited in you a fresh perspective that fosters gratitude. Whether you have a little or a lot of what the world has to offer, it truly always is the season to be grateful.  

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.

My Real Trinidadian Vacation

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

There’s nothing quite as powerful for a mindset shift as a change in scenery. 

This week I’m returning from vacation to a place that I visited for the first time earlier this year. I don’t normally visit the same place twice in one year, especially one that is out of the country. However, the first time I visited the beautiful island country of Trinidad, I spent the majority of my time working.

The purpose of my trip this time was a true vacation. Normally my vacations consist of ample time to explore and experience everything a destination has to offer. However, the hustle and bustle of my everyday life had me essentially limping onto the plane, desperate for some relief from all the demands of my life.

The words person that I am, I decided to look up the definition of the word vacation. 

It comes from the Latin word vacātiō, which means “exemption from service, respite from work,” and traces back to vacāre, “to be empty, be free, have leisure.”

I felt all of that on this trip.

While I intended to see a lot more of the county on this visit, it turns out, that’s not really what I needed. I needed to rest. I needed to reset. I needed to restore. I needed to be still. 

And still, I was.

I loved leisurely starting my day each morning with yoga and ginger tea.

I think many of us have come to believe that we always have to be doing something, even on our vacations. Some of us can’t even begin to understand the concept of having leisure. But recently, my pastor Keith Battle inspired me with his series entitled “Margin” to take a deeper look into why I was so drained and exhausted going into my vacation in the first place. 

I lacked margin – what he calls the space between our resources (skills, wisdom, finances, time, etc), which are limited, and our responsibilities (commitments and obligations for work, family, ministry, etc.), which sometimes seem to be never ending. For most of us, that space is non-existent, and even worse, for some of us, our responsibilities exceed our resources. This lack of space between our resources and our responsibilities is exactly what has the majority of us in a constant state of exhaustion.

Going into this vacation with a newfound mindset that gave me the grace and freedom to do nothing, I came back refreshed, renewed, and restored in ways that I haven’t felt from a vacation in a long time. If you’re anything like me, you’re likely in need of a do-nothing vacation too. I know, you may be saying to yourself, I can rest at home. The reality is that most of us don’t. We need that change of scenery (and climate for me) to put us on the road to recovery.

A return visit to Maracas Bay beach was very necessary.
The view from the Maracas Bay Lookout never gets old.

While I did rest a lot, I want you to know that I didn’t come back to my golden life tribe empty-handed. In addition to the Trinidadian treats I shared in the musing from my first visit, “A Trip Fit for a Queen,” I have a few more recommendations for any of you planning to visit.

I couldn’t resist capturing a photo opp under this beautiful tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Take a stroll or have a picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens. If you are a nature lover, or you just enjoy peaceful, serene environments, this is a must for you. With a mini zoo on the property, filled with lively, colorful birds, it offers an abundance of flora and fauna that is sure to delight your senses. This Garden, which happens to be one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, also offers areas where you can sit and enjoy a bite to eat with a friend or enjoy some “me” time. There are also fascinating views of the President’s House, as well as beautiful rolling hills that can serve as a mini hiking experience.

Grab local fare from Queen’s Park Savannah. In addition to boasting the world’s largest roundabout, and offering views of some of Trinidad’s magnificent seven buildings, including castles, this beautiful park hosts food trucks that sell some of Trinidad’s best cuisine in the evenings. They serve everything from shark and bake, a local favorite, to some North American favorites like fried chicken wings and tacos. The Queen’s Park area also hosts numerous festivals, including the Pan African Festival, which I visited back in July and August.

Take in the breathtaking view of the city at the famous lookout points. One of the most charming attributes of Trinidad is the natural beauty that you can take in from several lookouts around the capital city of Port of Spain. The Maracas Bay lookout was definitely deserving of another visit, and this time I was also able to take in the daytime and nighttime views of the Lady Young Road Lookout. While you’re there, shop some of the local vendors and sit down and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat from Tastee Tobago. This cute little restaurant has great food representing Tobago, Trinidad’s sister country, and offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and Queen’s Park Savannah.

For more golden life ventures visit www.goldenlifeventures.com.