11 Ways to Live Fulfilled

11 Ways to Live Fulfilled  

By: Jennifer Maggio 

 

 

I remember the first time I saw a cell phone. Actually, I’m not certain it was called a cell phone. It was an analog, portable phone. At the time, I worked for a small furniture store, and there was an analog phone in the delivery truck for drivers to use in case of emergencies. It was stored in a large leather bag and was approximately the size of a large briefcase. I’m not kidding. It was huge and heavy and awkward. Sometime later, my cousin got her first cell phone. It was large and had limited features compared to today’s standards. I didn’t even know she owned one. We were standing at a checkout counter at the grocery store when we both heard a strange noise for several minutes. Not knowing what it was, a customer behind us tapped my cousin on the shoulder and said, “Miss, I think your purse is ringing!”  

Cell phones have come a long way over the last 20 years, as has all modern technology. We don’t have to wait until we are home to call a friend for a quick girl chat. We can do that in the car en route to our next destination. No longer do we access the internet with a 20-minute dialup process, hoping we get some use before being kicked offline. Cars are faster and practically drive themselves. Computers can now be carried in our purse.  Encyclopedias are something of the past, and we have access in a matter of moments to almost any facet of any topic we could ever want to know. We no longer lose touch with childhood friends, thanks to social media. The list of advances in the modern-day world that make our lives more convenient is endless. And I’m thankful for them all, as they have certainly enhanced my life and ministry.  

But in an age where technology has given us access to almost anything within moments to make life easier, we have slowly stopped living. Have you eaten in a restaurant recently and took a look around the room? It is sad to see the number of patrons who are buried in their phones, endlessly scrolling status updates of others’ lives, completely ignoring the guest they dine with. Somehow, along the way, we’ve become so obsessed with having “followers” on social media that we stopped making friends.  We’ve become walking zombies, glued to our phones, and obsessed over perfecting the next update for others to read.  

We don’t value the art of conversation, the joy of sun shining on our face on a beautiful spring day, or the freedom of skipping hand-in-hand with our children. Often, we can’t put down technology for fear we will miss something. Meanwhile, we miss life.  There’s always a new project – whether ministry or work or school-related. There’s always a task to be accomplished. We’ve lost a sense of self, the meaning of life, and the art of simply living.   

Living is about serving that homeless man a warm meal. It is looking a friend in the eye as they share their heart and soul. It is holding the hand of a loved one. It is enjoyed a fresh breeze on your face while taking a walk around the neighborhood. It is laughing when your children laugh. The art of living is grace and joy and forgiveness, and tears. It is feeling and doing. It is resting. It is being fully present in the moment. It is knowing the depth of the love of a Heavenly Father that created you for his enjoyment. And the best way to honor that Father is by fully living, each day, in the glory of his honor and name.  

And I’m on a mission to help you (and me) embrace life, living it to its fullest every day.  Here’s a shortlist to get started:  

1. Put down technology every day for a set amount of time. Also, schedule extended times of rest from technology 

2. Fast from social media on a regular basis.  

3. Refuse to access social media when you are eating with friends or having a conversation with others.  

4. Establish strong boundaries for work, including times, you will take calls and answer emails. 

5. Make it a priority to get outside on a regular basis, leaving the phone indoors.  

6. Opt for board games or a book, instead of the tv or cell phone.  

7. Commit to having one real conversation every day with a friend, neighbor, family member, or stranger in the supermarket.  

8. Create a bucket list, as a family, and do it!  

9. Write a letter to 5 people who have greatly impacted your life and send it to them.  

10. Be present with the Lord daily. This might be quiet time in the morning or before bed, just find what works best for you and stick to it.  

11. Build a tribe  

What others can you think of? 

I’ve spent a great deal of time thinking about living recently. Maybe it’s because I’m quickly broaching a milestone birthday. Maybe it’s because my parents, grandparents, and most of my aunts, uncles, and extended family are all deceased. Perhaps it’s because I’ve had more and more friends recently diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Whatever the reason, I’m thinking about it. And I hope I get you thinking about living.  But more than that, I hope I encourage you to live! 

 

Jennifer Maggio is a national voice for single mothers and hurting women. Her personal story has been featured in hundreds of media venues including The New York Times, Daystar Television, The 700 Club, and many others. She is CEO/Founder of The Life of a Single Mom Ministries, a national nonprofit that works with churches to develop single mom’s programs and ministries, totaling over 1600 groups currently. 

The Life of a Single Mom has served over 500,000 single mothers over the last decade and counting.  Maggio is an author of several books, including The Church and the Single Mom. For more information, visit www.jennifermaggio.com. 

 

Jennifer Maggio is a mom to three, wife to Jeff, and founder of the national nonprofit, The Life of a Single Mom Ministries. She is author to four books, including The Church and the Single Mom. She was named one of the Top 10 Most Influential People in America by Dr. John Maxwell in 2017 and 2015 and has appeared in hundreds of media venues, including The New York Times, Family Talk Radio with Dr. James Dobson, Joni and Friends, and many others.