What Does “Love Thy Neighbor” Mean to YOU?
Paul White's nationally distributed syndicated column, “What Does ‘Love Thy Neighbor’ Mean to YOU?” is published in 22 publications across seven states. This includes the following newspapers and digital publications: Midland Daily News (MI), SFGate (CA), Seattle PI (WA), Connecticut Post (CT), Laredo Morning Times (TX), Huron Daily Tribune (MI), The Telegraph (IL), and more. In this week's article, Paul shares a new simple life principle to work into your life until it becomes routine. Will you do it? He sure hopes so! Why? Because Paul Believes In YOU! GiddyUp!
Ask that question of 100 different people and you’ll get 100 unique answers. The answers will range from one extreme preferring self-isolation associated with extreme introversion to individuals working tirelessly each and every day to serve the needs of others ahead of their own needs. Some people care deeply about their fellow humans while others could care less (and have evidence to prove it). I’ve been pondering the question I asked in the title of this article a lot lately given the state of affairs challenging the world from countries warring with each other to constant local disagreements and everything that could be fit in between those two.
Humanity sure seems to like to complicate things that could best be served by simple solutions. What do I mean by that? Well, let’s start with the fact that I’m imperfect. At the same time, I know myself, meaning I am aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and I’ve learned how best to manage both. While it’s highly unlikely I’ll ever be a biblical scholar, I have embraced stories I recall hearing from the bible that have made a powerful impression on me. One of those stories hugely simplified my life. It was the one where someone asked Jesus a question and He ended up responding that the two most important things we can do in life is love God and love our neighbor. For me personally, the whole simplicity of that thought process made it something that I felt I could attempt each day, and on most days successfully achieve. I’ve attempted to make it even more simple in my life by allowing myself to believe that if I love my neighbor, that in and of itself, qualifies as one of the most wonderful ways to love God.
Thank you if you’re still reading at this point. I lost some people with that last paragraph (maybe even with the title of this article) who may have led themselves to believe that I’m pushing religion. The reality is that there are a ton of life lessons in the bible, along with may other sources, and the one I’m discussing today can be so simple. Plus, I’m in love with life lessons, or if you prefer, life principles that lead to living a life filled with consistent love, joy, contentment, and hope. Those are four things that every person in this world could use an extra helping of, especially right now. Okay…enough preaching.
Fact is, YOUR LIFE MATTERS! Not just to you, but to all of us, forever! There will never be another YOU again…in the history of the world…ever! That’s precisely why it’s so important for you to answer the question: What Does “Love Thy Neighbor” Mean to YOU? Then if you’re able to avoid complicating your own thought process, and come up with an answer that’s really simple, you’re on your way to improving the positive impact your life has on others and a huge step closer to living a life filled with consistent love, joy, contentment, and hope. Once there, be ready to naturally experience an advance in your mental well-being along with an improvement in all of your relationships. It all just simply happens.
Lately, I’ve been sharing another life principle that relates well to the “Love Thy Neighbor” life principle. It’s the Zig Ziglar quote: You can get everything you want in life if you just help enough OTHER people get what they want! I only mention the Zig quote because it has been so effective in helping ME love my neighbor. In case you’re wondering, the life challenges I’ve encountered along the way could probably compete with the best of them. Having said that, my entire life, utilizing “love thy neighbor” and “helping others get what they want” has allowed me to consistently live a life filled with love, joy, contentment, and hope. That’s the real reason I’m writing about this today. If it can work for regular ol’ me, it can definitely work for you too! BUT,…I need your help right this minute.
If you could take a break today from social media, television, or other distractions, and give yourself the gift of some quiet thinking time, you can ponder the question: What Does “Love Thy Neighbor” Mean to YOU? and develop a simple thought process of ways you can make a positive difference in the lives of others. It doesn’t have to be huge. It could be as simple as sharing your smile where you didn’t before, or making a phone call to someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time. Could even be a well check on a friend, a neighbor, or a loved one. Could be volunteering since there’s an enormous need for volunteers in every community in the world.
First, it’s important that you acknowledge the benefits, or Return On Investment (ROI) if you prefer, that every action you take to Love Thy Neighbor provides your OWN life in the form of consistent love, joy, contentment, and hope. Second, it’s important to come up with your own life principle based on Love Thy Neighbor that is so simple that you won’t get distracted away from it as time goes on. Third, it’s important to take immediate action putting this new simple life principle to work in your life until it becomes routine. Will you do it? I sure hope so! Why? Because I Believe In YOU! GiddyUp!
In addition to being a nationally syndicated columnist, Paul White is an author, motivational and inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach located in Midland, Michigan. His new book, “The Answer Discovery – How to Change the World by Helping Others…and Ourselves,” is available to purchase today. If you’re interested in getting in touch with Paul, please submit an inquiry via our Contact Page.