To Get More...

I’ve read quite a few books that have told me in order to get more I have to be more. At first, this didn’t sit well with me. What? Be more? Why can’t I just work a little harder, a little more efficiently and a little smarter?

I chose not to listen to the books and did things my way. I worked a little harder, more efficiently and smarter. I did get a little more but it took a lot of effort to get a little more.

Giving in and Being More

After several months of doing it my way with a modicum of improvement, I decided to try it their way. I had to become more in order to get more.

I guess my biggest problem with becoming more is how do I become more? I’m me, I can’t be more me if I tried.

Developing Myself

It wasn’t a matter of being more me, it was a matter of becoming a better, more educated, well balanced me. If I want more income, I’ve got to learn more business-related skills. I’ve got to learn and master the tools that will facilitate my progress. I’ve got to learn more about the marketplace to determine where there is a gap that needs filling or a product/service to improve upon.

It takes time and energy to learn, grow and create new income streams. To that end, I need to improve my energy level through fitness, nutrition, proper medical care and rest.

If I want better relationships and a general sense of well being, I’ve got to practice the fruits of the spirit, which are love, joy, peace, forbearance (aka patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. That forbearance one is a kicker!

Improved income, energy and all the patience in the world seem pointless if I don’t have a purpose. Without a purpose, I’m just a ship in the middle of the ocean with no direction. To that end, I’ve spent time in reflection, prayer and meditation to find a purpose.

My purpose, as I see it, is to leave a legacy that touches peoples’ souls, to make them think, to motivate them to reach new and higher levels, which is more important than leaving materialistic items to divvy up upon my death. This is not to say that I’m leaving the world with negatives in the financial column instead of positives.

We should all leave material wealth for our descendants, but I believe spiritual wealth lasts longer.

Rejecting Self-Development

The more I read, learned and reflected, I see why I originally rejected the idea of “if you want more you have to be more.” It takes a lot of work to be more and I wanted immediate results.

I have since changed my tune. I've learned that by developing myself I may not see immediate results, but when I get results; they’ll be long-lasting and fulfilling. I think it’s worth taking the self-improvement journey.

About the Author: I am Felicia A. Williams, a wife, mom, grandma, writer and eternal student.

Last Modified: 26 November 2020