It seems that everyone is complaining about problems, problems, problems. Very few, however, are discussing solutions - or the right ones, anyway. Most people become fixated on changing the world situation or their individual circumstances, but that is the wrong place to start.

The story of a father who was attempting to read while his five year old son kept interrupting will illustrate my point best. After the father became totally frustrated, he took a picture of the world from a magazine page and tore it into numerous pieces. He gave it to his son as a puzzle for him to put back together. Thinking that it would take some time for his son to complete the task, he was surprised when the son returned the completed picture in only a few minutes. When he inquired how the son had managed so quickly his son replied, "I didn't know how to put together the world, but on the other side of the picture was a man, and I figured if I could get the man right, the world would be right too."

I believe the child inadvertently said it all! The solution to the world's problems is helping one individual at a time become a total person. A total person is a balanced person, one who has developed in all the important areas of his or her life.

You have a special gift!

We are all born as one-of-a-kind, completely unique, and filled with a special individual gift or gifts. For example, you may know someone who is especially gifted in music or math or sports. They arrived here with that gift and tend to concentrate on developing it, often neglecting some of the other very important areas of life.

I've known some very brilliant people that developed their mental capacities to the max and yet neglected their physical body, resulting in sickness and even an early death. On the other hand, I've known tremendous athletes that completely developed their physical side and yet failed to develop financially, often ending a stellar career completely broke.

The 6 important areas of life

I've found that there are six important areas of life that need to be developed, not just one or two. If you develop only the gift that is the most natural you will be off balance, similar to a wheel with a flat side. Not very effective!

1. Physical and Health: If you are too busy to exercise and eat well, you are too busy! Your body is God's house and it must be cared for and reverenced.

2. Mental and Educational: It is estimated that between 80-90 percent of your mental abilities go underdeveloped. Imagine what you could do if you took the steps to educate yourself, to develop mentally.

3. Social and Cultural: Help yourself by helping others; lift their spirits, encourage them, comfort them in grief. All the good you extend comes back your way.

4. Financial and Career: Set the right goals for the right reasons! I make all the money I can, but I always ask God what He wants me to do with it. I like to help and change people's lives wherever I can.

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