Being Human 101: 3 Tips For A More Fulfilling Life

Insight 89 | You. Me. And Us. All have one thing in common. Guaranteed. We’re all human :)

It's my favorite word for a reason: it's raw and honest, communicating so much in so little. The beauty of this word lies in its simple complexity.

If you are seeking to live life to the fullest, die with no regrets, and enjoy the process of writing your story on this side of humanity, then here are the three principles you must remember:

1. Be Charismatic, But Never Corrosive.

2. Remember: “You Get To,” Not “Have To.”

3. Build More Sandcastles.

You only live once, after all. So I think there is no better pursuit than getting the most out of what we have been given. I have found that, no matter who you are, being magnetic, grateful, and childlike always leads to a happier, increasingly fruitful, and more connected life.

What makes this word even more impactful is the truth hidden in its conception, as taught to us in Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Imagine that! A species mirrored in fashion to the God of the universe himself, meaning we have the capacity to create, love, and steward like no other created creature can. We have the ability to reason, be moral, engage in free will, develop and nurture beneficial relationships, be self-aware, and feed our spirits. So, how do we go about living this life?

1. Be Charismatic, But Never Corrosive. Have you ever walked past someone wearing perfume or cologne so good it made you stop and think, “Whoa, what's that scent?” Something so delightful and irresistible that, although the hint of it may fade away, the thought of it remains with you.

On the other hand, many of us may have had experiences to the contrary, where a whiff of something causes our eyes to water and our noses to scrunch. It eats away at the pleasant moment and ruins what was good. This is much like the difference between being

Charismatic or Corrosive. 

Both are powerful and incredibly effective, but only one is desirable. This shows up in our lives in a variety of ways. The first is our distinct, individual, and particular aromas. This is our character and reputation… what enters the room before we ever do and lingers long after we are gone. The best strategy to craft a life scent worth sharing is to ask yourself this one simple question: “What would Jesus do?”

Do that, and you’ll quickly begin to see just how much of a joy you become, spreading that energy to those around you. It works like a charm and truly equips you for every scenario.

Secondly, this tension between being Charismatic or Corrosive often appears in our personal relationships. We all want to be noticed. We all want to be loved. That is not too much to ask. But sadly, we often employ strategies that make us come across as desperate, annoying, or a nuisance. This is a real battle, but one that gets easier when you realize being alone is not the same as being lonely. Know your value and worth, and do not fall into the trap of being overly eager to impress others.

2. Remember: “You Get To,” Not “Have To.” Twenty-first-century problems tainted with first-world privileges don’t require modern solutions, but rather a simple recognition of a timeless truth:

Gratitude creates a sense of abundance where others see absence.

If we truly were to sit down and count each and every one of our blessings, we would be here until the day we die. We cannot fathom the hidden beauty interwoven in our normal lives or the secret majesty found in our mundane moments. If you are reading this newsletter today, then you have been blessed with another day to live, and that alone is worth giving thanks for. “Be thankful for what you have” is such a widely shared understanding because it is true.

While it can at times feel like surviving rather than thriving, we should remember that we largely get to do what we do. We have the privilege to go to work or study. We have the honor of commuting to a stable job. We are blessed to have a roof over our heads, even if it might sometimes metaphorically leak. And yes, life can get hard at times, but regardless, we have the unique and incomparable gift of getting to live it.

3. Build More Sandcastles. When did “adulting” become so bland, boring, and overbearing? It is such a shame that so many people view it only as a grocery list of chores and responsibilities when it could be so much more. It was meant to be something greater.

Have you ever seen a kid building a sandcastle, or built one yourself? The act of doing so is such a joy. Maybe it's the beach and the waves, or the wind and the sun, but something about feeling the warm grains of sand between your fingers and feet makes you feel alive like nothing else.

When you're building a sandcastle, nothing else matters but the next tower you're constructing or the moat you're digging to defend your fortress from the encroaching ocean. It's a grounding experience as well as an innocent one. Sadly, it is often associated only with “being a kid,” and so many of us older folks miss out on its delight. The good news is it doesn't have to be this way.

In Matthew 18:3, Jesus shares, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What a wonderful permission Christ gives us to embrace our inner kid and become like children. Notice he does not encourage us to be childish, but rather childlike. He is calling us to reimagine what it means to follow our calling. In other words, adults can build sandcastles too.

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This week, delight yourself in your humanness. None of God’s other creatures gets the privilege of doing so.

1. Be a charismatic person but never corrosive by crafting your reputation and aroma around becoming more and more Christ-like. Leave behind a scent others crave by becoming an arrow that points it all back to God.

2. Remind yourself, and those around you, that we get to, because we don’t have to. Find the blessings in the small things.

3. Build more sandcastles and indulge in innocence. Remember that we aren’t too old to let our safeguards down. It is safe to approach this world like a child again.

I really do believe in these perspectives, and if you agree with them, share them with a family member or friend. Let’s spread the reminder of the beauty of being human today.

- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta

Sources:

Be Charismatic, But Never Corrosive: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 11:1

Remember: “You Get To,” Not “Have To.”: Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Build More Sandcastles. Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3