What is your pursuit?

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. Albert Einstein

I read this quote probably 20 times today in the class i was a substitute teacher for. It struck something in me that i have actually been thinking about a lot lately and like most things what i process in my head is much more in tact than what i try to say out loud.

In life many people evaluate themselves on how high up the business ladder they have been able to get, the biggest house to buys, the latest in style clothing, trying to get on the "Who's Who" list and that list goes on. But at the end of the day has your life really made a difference in the world around you? Shoot, even start with the question of, has your life made a difference in your own family members?

So often the world around us has told us to be successful to be noticed. Be successful to be famous. Be successful to be important.

I say, and so does Albert, be valuable. I am not talking about a price tag on how much your life net is worth, but be valuable to the people around you. Are you the type of person that people CHOOSE to be around because how you enjoy life is contagious? Are you the type of person people come to for advice because the choices you make allow you to get the most out of life? Are you the type of person that speak messages of hope?

This is why when i read scripture i see Jesus being someone who CROWDS followed around. His lifestyle, words he spoke, his actions all of it gave value to the people around him. From the rich political leaders to the beggars, Jesus spoke messages of hope to all of them & it was consist ant.

In my life i want to valuable to my wife & kids. I want them to want me around. To my friends i want to be the one who gets the phone call to go hang out because i add to the fun of the night. To my neighbors i want to be someone they can ask for help without worrying about 'bugging me' cause they know i care about them. I want to be the person who actually lives his life following Jesus' pattern and makes a difference.

Thanks Albert, you always did have a way of making the complex seem simple. Now about that theory of E-MC2???