Alice Cheng
A linear life trajectory follows the stages of age: doing well in school, finding a good job, getting married and having children, retiring, and enjoying old age. This model of life focuses on the values and goals on fulfilling responsibilities, seeking security and success, and believing that one can truly enjoy life after having wealth and retirement. The focus of the “micro-life” perspective, however, lies in the pursuit of balance and the life you want to live and living in the moment.
Micro-life
Micro-life is to plan and distribute your top priorities and desires. There’s no need to wait until retirement. Don’t let long hours of work or periodic busyness lead you to neglect or forget the needs of personal growth, balance of work and rest, the love between husband and wife, and parent-child nurturing. Besides work, we can thoughtfully place our family and personal needs on our planners. Therefore, the most important thing is personal allocation which establishes one’s own values and priorities. In short, put all aspects of life into your timetable. Practice and explore, whether it is to make time through deliberate cutting or piecing time together. “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
Small Acts of Care
In addition to work, we may plan our daily lives to freely and generously care for others. A “good morning”, a greeting, a thank you, an encouragement, a consideration, a help, a passion, a congratulation, an acceptance, and a time of forgiveness can go a long way. Whether it is to family, neighbors, colleagues, or friends, let love move around. Nowadays, online communication is very convenient, and you can show care anywhere and anytime. Timely words of wisdom, aphorisms, articles, poems, music, songs, short videos, and images can help people express their worries, boost their motivation, and give guidance in life. The smaller your “self” is, the bigger your heart and vision are. Generosity brings much happiness and less pain. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Micro Enjoyment
In silence, the creation tells us about God’s awesome works. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalms 19:1) It’s a pleasure to take time to enjoy the nature: observing the trees, the flowers, the butterflies, the clouds, the stars, the rain, and listening to the birds. Spend time to enjoy literature, music, movies, various artistic innovations, and even tasting good wine and delicacies. So you can broaden your horizon and discover the beauty of life. Besides reading a good book may enlighten your soul, cultivate your emotions, and interests of life. Reading the Bible daily may let God search your heart and cast away your sinfulness so you may naturally have a daily walk with God.
A Song: Little Water Droplets
Many small water droplets may turn into a sea,
Many small sand particles may turn into a land,
A minute and a second,
seem so insignificant,
Yet unnoticeably turn into adulthood,
Even infinity.
Little mistakes may cause the spirit to depart
From the path of virtue
And swerve to the path of evil.
Little good seeds
Sown by a little hand
Can bloom into fragrant flowers
And bless thousands of people.
Little acts of love and little gentle words
Can make the world better
Which turn into our Heavenly Father’s home.
The author is engaged in writing, preaching, and life mentoring