Live wisely and with dignity. In the right way keep up with the Joneses. Seek riches which are the best. Look for excellent personalities to model your life after, pay attention to what you’re fed, especially information by the mass media. It may be a blessing, or curse, so select wisely.

In wrong ways people may keep up with the Joneses. Our lifestyle is a matter of choice, so be careful what you choose. Pay attention to the Joneses, but don’t be attracted to their earthly possessions. Look at how they live and notice the good they do. Are they respectable people? Are they sincere in their Christian walk? In time of need, can you depend on them to lend a helping hand? Do they flaunt their wealth? What are the neighbors’ opinions about them? Make it your goal to emulate their good qualities. Irish playwright and founder of the London School of Economics, George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950) wrote, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” By modeling what’s best of neighbors, that’s the way you begin creating a new lifestyle for yourself.

Alluring Desires

Around every corner there are alluring desires. Persons only have to switch on their TV sets to be bombarded with multiple images. Whether TV, computers, Smartphones, or some other media, there to greet us are a myriad of good and bad pictures. Some visuals are ads which seduce Americans by telling them how better they will be when they use certain products. Sex, riches, beauty, speed, and money are frequent themes in these pitches. It’s wise for us to remember money and power portrayed so blatantly are nothing more than false idols. Move away from bad choices which harm you and your children. Be aware of products promoting self-centered lifestyles. Life is about helping others in the right way, not selling them alcohol, and stimulants to drown their sorrows.

Danish philosopher, theologian, poet and critic, Soren Kierkegaard (1813 – 1855) observed, “Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts.” The impressions we ingest, become how we value society. These creations take center stage in our lives. So a proliferation of crimes, disasters, betrayals, embezzlements, social revolutions, and wars tend to dominate our imagination and beliefs. Worldly power is centered on atrocities and countering them. English Catholic historian, politician and writer, Lord Acton (1834 – 1902) noted, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It’s wise therefore to avoid images which corrupt our minds.

Defeat & Failures

Often entanglements with earthly deceptions lead to a run in with the law of the land. Good citizens entrapped in vicious cycles are dishonored and their names dragged through dirt. We often witness news reports about crashes, bankruptcies, crime and violence. The tourism industry, prostitution, and other vices, lead to an exacerbation of our well being. Poor nutrition and lack of exercise make people experience the throes of life which contribute to more health problems. Persons lose hope because they are crushed by life’s troubles of pits and bogs. By living wisely we are enabled to avoid trouble, in taking positive steps, actively work in fending off defeats, and failures in our lives.

Climb Mountains

When in valleys set your eyes to mountain tops. A good way to do so is by actively embracing Christian principles and by accepting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let him be your model for bearing your cross and transformation, for only through him, are you able to be wise. He’s the abundant One. With such perspectives you will view life differently. It’s renewed through faith in him, conversion, experiencing joys, and suffering.

Publisher and author, William Feather (1889 – 1981) wrote, “One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.” In your journey, you will now live more compassionately, and after departing this world, be enjoying eternal salvation. This is how to have a purpose-filled life, for you would have ascended the summits of mountains.