As far as I'm concerned, these are things we should ALL want to be full of. But you can decide once you read them. :) I'm not saying that I've ACHIEVED all these things--but I'm trying to put them into practice--and I WANT to be able to look back one day and feel that I made a pretty good dent in my list.
1. Affection - Showing affection to others is important because it shows them a bit of your heart. Affection speaks love and appreciation (which is another great "a" word to have).
2. Authenticity - Be "real." Don't pretend to be something you're not. Let people know the real you--and as they know you deeper, even be vulnerable enough to let them see you at your worst.
3. Aspirations - Set goals, and be willing to work hard to achieve them (preaching to myself here). Some aspirations--you may find--won't end up being worthwhile; but the ones you remain passionate about, the LIFE-CHANGING ones--those are worth pursuing."
4. Bravery - So many things in life call for this. I have found, on many occasions, when I've taken that first bold step--freedom awaited me.
5. Boldness - God's Word says in Joshua 1:9, "Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go"" (TLB). To be bold means to takes risks--and to be confident. We can be confident that when God calls us to step out, He is going to enable us to do whatever it is He's asked us to do, often with REMARKABLE results.
6. Beauty - The Bible tells us in I Peter 3:4 to let our INNER beauty shine--that which comes from the inner disposition of the heart. If our spirit is in step with the Father's Spirit, we will definitely exude this type of beauty--which makes our OUTWARD appearance glorious as well.
7. Compassion - When I let my heart go to a place of compassion, it diffuses any anger, frustration, or vindictive feelings I might have had. But more than that, compassion is what Jesus always felt and showed. Compassion prompted Him to GIVE--of himself. And lives were changed because of it.
8. Courage - Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” Face fear head on, choosing what is BETTER above it--even if it may be harder. God honors courage.
9. Courtesy - So often we hear the phrase "common courtesy." But is it really all that COMMON? Being courteous is holding the door for the person coming up the sidewalk toward the same department store door as you, even though it may take a few extra seconds of your time. Courtesy is letting someone know they've dropped something so that they don't permanently LOSE that something. Courtesy is tucking in a fellow church member's shirt
tag--or telling your co-worker she has spinach in her teeth. It's doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. We can all do our part to make it
more common.
10. Depth - I am determined to not be a surface-y person. I enjoy talking about things that matter and sharing the deepest things of my heart. Obviously, you have to be careful who you share those treasures with. But I want to be someone who thinks, loves, and connects deeply.
11. Determination - So you haven't accomplished such-and-such YET--remain determined that you WILL. Perhaps the path to get there will be different than you envisioned, or perhaps longer--but if it was worth fighting for BEFORE, it probably still is. Allow God to strengthen you when you need it, but don't give up. As Luke 21:19 puts it, "Stand firm, and you will win life."
12. Diligence - This one I learned from my parents. When you have a job to do, do it WELL and give it your all. To take that a step further, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,..." (Coloss. 3:23, NASB). He's the one who rewards us when we work diligently with the right attitude--to bring glory to Him and use the gifts He's given us to the BEST of our ability.
13. Encouragement - We all need it. And it can truly make a difference. I picture the runner on her final lap, feeling like she just can't make it. Her legs are like Jell-O, and her energy has all but run out. Then she hears a friend calling from the sidelines, "You got this! Finish strong!" Hearing these words, she finds the strength, deep within, to pour everything she has into this last stretch. She CAN do it, and she does it well. That's what encouragement does.
14. Empathy - Empathy goes beyond feeling FOR a person--it's feeling WITH a person; having true understanding so that you can truly rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn (Rom. 12:15). It develops when we care deeply about others and invest ourselves in their lives. Their experiences become ours because we're "family." I think of Byron's and my friends of going-on-40-years, Scott and Kari. We have literally cried together, prayed together, laughed together--because we've not just told stories--we've SHARED experiences.
15. Experiences - Don't live your life saying, "I wish I would have..." My husband made it possible to check "gone to Hawaii" off my list last year. My friend Nicole made sure I could also cross off "ridden in a hot air balloon." But it doesn't have to be a mega-experience--make sure you also get to experience things like playing with blocks with a toddler, camping with family, telling stories around a fire, watching the birds in your back yard. Take time to "stop and smell the roses," as it were; and don't make excuses for NOT living life to the fullest. Experience LIFE, and make memories!
16. Faith - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). Our good works don't impact our right standing with God--we are saved by grace THROUGH faith. He wants us to believe in Him, then keep on believing. It is clear to me over and over in Scripture--and in my own life--that God honors faith. In fact, He STRENGTHENS the faith we already have when we do not waver (Rom. 4:20). Barnabas is described in Acts 11:24 as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith,..." And what was the result? "...and a great number of people were brought to the Lord."
17. Fortitude - To have fortitude is to have courage in pain or adversity. When I think of "fortitude," I picture endurance and the will to persist, to keep going--no matter what. Fortitude is a demonstration of great faith.
18. Fervency - James 5:16 says that "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (KJV). Passionate, persistent, giving-it-all-you've-got. Fervency is a great quality, not only in prayer but in life in general--which includes our goals, our relationships, and our callings.
19. Grace - My definition: 'Grace is the favor and empowerment of the Holy Spirit upon one's life situations.' Because of the great grace God has bestowed upon us, we can lavish grace upon others. We ALL need His grace, and to be FULL of grace is to be full of the nature of God.
20. Gratitude - We are to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (I Thess. 5:18) and to always give "thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephes. 5:20). A grateful heart is key to experiencing the joy and blessing God WANTS us to have.
21. Giving - If we are grateful, we want to give. God is ALWAYS giving, and He LOVES a cheerful giver. Giving opens doors of favor in our lives, if done with the right heart. And...it feels GOOD to give.
22. Humor - It can defuse a potentially ugly or unpleasant situation. It's a gift from God, who reminds us in Proverbs 17:22 that " A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine."
23. Hope - "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).
24. History - We should know our history and how it impacts us now. We all have good and bad things in our history. We can learn from our history and make changes. Likewise, we can embrace the positive parts of our history and bring it into our future. I am thankful for the heritage that I came from--especially the strong spiritual history. But there are family patterns on both sides (paternal and maternal) that I don't embrace. Like with a spiritual message, it is up to us to eat the meat and spit out the bones, as it were. Our history doesn't have to determine our destiny; but it can provide insight into who we are and what our ancestors endured and accomplished. We too will one day be part of a historical record; let's make it a good one.
25. Innovation - To me, innovation is being able to look at a situation and see how it can be made better--and then take the steps to see the vision come to fruition. My son has this ability, and I am continually amazed at his innovative ideas. If you think about it, LIFE requires innovation. It's part invention, part change, part breakthrough. Life requires us to move beyond where we are to reach something greater, to think outside the box.
26. Imagination - It's true that some have a wilder imagination than others, but we are all made in God's image and therefore have His nature in us--and He's the greatest imaginer of all! If your imagination is relatively untapped, allow yourself to dream of what COULD be. Realities begin with such thoughts.
27. Improvement - There is room for this in every aspect of life. Most of us would agree that we want to be a better person, better neighbor, better husband or wife, better mom or dad, better friend, better student. The very BEST area we can improve in is love. Love is the greatest power we have. It is sometimes also the most challenging choice to make. With God's help, we can improve in showing the kind of love that goes beyond our human understanding of the word and crosses over into the realm of the IMPOSSIBLE (that is, ONLY possible with God). And because HE loves us, He'll help us to improve in many other ways as well. Improvement is growth. Improvement is success.
28. Joy - To me, this is the presence of a happy and peaceful countenance and outlook no matter the circumstances. People who walk in joy are people you can lean on - they are strong, because the joy of the Lord is their strength. Joy is a pursuit--it's a choice. And after a while, it becomes a habit. Then a lifestyle. Joy is a deeply held conviction--a knowing beyond all doubt that the goodness of God won't fail.
29. Joviality - My definition: being pleasant and kind in such a way that others feel comfortable around you. A jovial person smiles a lot, is easygoing, and is accepting of others.
30. Journey - Each of us is on a journey - from birth to the grave we are learning, growing, changing. But to be FULL of the journey is to embrace it--along with all its changes and surprises. We learn lessons we can take on our journey. We adopt new mindsets and master certain skills. Tom Cochrane's song, "Life is a Highway," describes a life of taking opportunities and risks, as if time is short. And in truth, it is. The time for adventure is now. Be full of the journey.
"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today", so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Heb. 3:13). Part of sin's deceitfulness is the complacent belief that there's no point in trying because nothing good will happen. But if our delight is in the law of the LORD, whatever we do will prosper (Psalm 1). He is the author of freedom and love, desiring to bless us on our journey.
31. Kindness - There are so many Scriptures about being kind to one another. Because kindness is so important, people practice random acts of kindness or "paying it forward." Really, there are so many opportunities to SHOW kindness--it would be interesting to keep track of how many times in a day you intentionally did something kind. Kindness matters.
32. Kinship - Yes, it's important to build relationship with your ACTUAL kin, but also--find those with whom you share a kindred spirit, those you can laugh with, cry with, work with, do life with. Those who are "family"--sisters and brothers "from another mother."
33. Keys - When you discover something that is a life principle that WORKS, hold onto it. For example, I've learned that laughter is a key to good emotional health for me. So is spending time with my grandson. Praying for others, for me, is a key to feeling closer to God. Meeting new people is a key to ministry opportunities. And the list goes on.
34. Learning - It seems to go without saying that lifelong learners fair better in many respects than those who stop pursuing new knowledge. I recently took a watercolor class. I would have to take several more to say I was any GOOD at it, but I did learn some techniques that I was able to practice with a semi-satisfactory result. People who read regularly tend to have better aptitude for learning new things--and their minds get sharper through the process of reading. There are many ways to learn. And so much untapped knowledge. My mom always used to say, "You learn something new every day." If that isn't true for you, then I would encourage you--and myself--to go learn something
35. Legacy - It's important to leave a mark. What will you be remembered for? Start building a legacy now. I want to leave a legacy of loving my family well and loving my friends well. I want to be remembered as someone who was there for others, had a good sense of humor, and was creatively talented. What will you be remembered for? Will you leave behind a life well-lived for your descendants and/or those you have influenced to emulate?
36. Love - Love, in its purest form, is unselfish and unconditional. Joyce Meyer says in her book, Reduce Me to Love, "The God-kind of love bears up under anything and everything that comes. It endures everything without weakening. It is determined not to give up on even the hardest case." Love like that takes intention. It takes "putting others first." It takes a heart that is bent toward giving of one's self. But it is the most powerful force in the universe. The better we love, the better we live.
37. Mischief - WHAT? Isn't that a BAD thing? Well, no--not really. Being full of mischief means you take risks--and that means you're prone to adventure. MISCHIEF doesn't have to mean "doing naughty stuff." I see "good mischief" as "going the extra mile to satisfy one's curiosity." You don't know until you try, right? Mischief might also include acts of plotting, like kidnapping a friend for a weekend at the beach because you know she needs time away. Mischief (okay--how 'bout "spunk"?) is finding the unnecessary rules in life and breakin' through 'em with gusto!
38. Motivation - Motivation kicks in for several reasons in life: a) it's brought on by fear; b) it's stimulated by the promise of a reward; c) it develops internally as one sees his or her progress; d) it develops internally as the result of maturity; e) it comes in response to a sobering event or "wakeup call." At different times in our lives, it could be all of the above. When we have motivation, we work hard and we believe in ourselves--which makes us more able to encourage others.
39. Mystery - By "mystery" I mean, don't be so predictable that you become boring. Don't share all your life stories at once--save them for opportune moments. Be interesting and engaging, but save a few secrets until you find the right person to share them with. And if that person is your would-be mate, a little mystery will help the love story flourish too!
40. Notions - Be full of notions--ideas, plans, crazy-sounding suggestions and solutions. It's great to exercise our minds by coming up with ideas, even if some of them don't work out. 'Cause...some inevitably will. And sometimes you might just have a notion to go buy a new dress or to call up an old friend. Do it!
41. Neighborliness - Be someone who waves and says "hi" to your neighbors. Get to know their names (I really need to improve in this area). Spend time chatting. Be available and friendly. Treat them like you couldn't be more happy that they live on your street. Love your neighbor--in the literal sense.
42. Nostalgia - Nostalgia are the happy things that connect us to our past. Hang on to some memorabilia--and share fun stories with your kids (if you have them--if not, someone else who will appreciate them). Waxing nostalgic keeps us young--and appreciative of the treasures in our lives.
43. Openness - Without openness, there is no intimacy. Openness means that you're willing to risk and willing to step into trust with someone. It's letting your guard down and choosing to be vulnerable. Really, it's your heart that opens--and that can feel really good. Sure, it's risky; but it can deepen relationships, which is a value that can't be measured.
44. Optimism - Bibi Bourelly said, "True hopefulness and optimism is what leads one to dare. It is also what lifts one back up to dare again after a failed attempt." If the glass is "half-full," there is more enjoyment on its way; if it's "half-empty," the enjoyment is already over. I choose to believe that Jesus came "to give [us] a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10, NLT). And part of receiving that life is to have an optimistic outlook.
45. Overpreparedness - Have you ever been around someone who just seemed to be prepared for ANYTHING? Like the grandma who has EVERYTHING in her purse, because you might have need for a safety pin, a band-aid, a postage stamp, or what have you. Having money tucked away is a way of being prepared in advance for a possible emergency--therefore, OVERprepared. Having food in the car in case of a mechanical breakdown, traffic jam, etc. Bringing things you MAY or may not need on a camping trip. Better to be OVERprepared, I say, than to be not prepared enough.
46. Patience - Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. It says, "I'm in this for the long haul, even if it's hard." In that way, it is very interconnected with perseverance.
47. Perseverance - As carriers of God's promises and, through them, partakers of His nature--we are told in 2 Peter 1:5-6 to "add" certain ideals to how we live for Christ. "Perseverance" is sandwiched right between self-control and godliness. As I read it, we need to PERSEVERE in self-control so that it becomes our natural practice--and because of that, we will choose a godly path in all areas. When something is difficult we need to take CONTROL of ourselves by the Spirit in order to thrive in that circumstance and come out the other side reflecting even more of who He is IN us.
48. Purpose - You've heard it said (Prov. 29:18) that without a VISION, the people perish--or "cast off restraint." Not having a vision is not having a purpose. With a clear conviction of PURPOSE, we begin to see more and more of God's bigger picture as we pursue our calling, With a strong purpose in our hearts, we are less likely to fall prey to things that are contrary to it. We become, essentially, "purpose-driven"--putting what God wants FIRST. As author Rick Warren puts it, “You cannot fulfil God's purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans."
49. Questions - It's good to be inquisitive and to search things out. Those who ask plenty of questions AND search for the answers are less likely to just accept things "at face value." Be willing to ask the hard questions, not for the sake of argument--but for learning (as my mom used to say, "something new every day") and expanding the way you think.
50. Quirks - We all have them. These are the things that make us who we are--mannerisms; ways of communicating; the unique procedures we have for doing everyday things (like putting on our socks and shoes). In contrast to character defects or illnesses, quirks can be positive nuances that make us fun and interesting.
51. Quality - Strive for excellence in all that you do. Be a person of quality--someone who looks for opportunities to help others and goes the extra mile. Choose QUALITY time over quantity. Don't do a project haphazardly or in a rushed manner; rather, let quality be evident in your work--gain a reputation for keeping your word, offering assistance, and producing quality results.
52. Relatability - It is important to be someone others can relate to. if we're not, why would they ever want to open up to us? I also think that relatability sets aside all judgment and just LISTENS to people. Be someone who has funny, embarrassing stories to share. Laugh with those who laugh. Cry with those who cry. "Relatable" means you are approachable and touchable. It's a state of being a comfort-place for people to be themselves and share their hearts' cries.
53. Reminiscence - I love to reminisce--"Remember when...?" Hang onto the silly, funny, proud, and life-altering memories. We learn, grow, and build connections from those experiences.
54. Revelation - Some things we fail to see IN ourselves or ABOUT ourselves until it is revealed to us in such a way that our eyes are suddenly opened. The deepest kind of revelation only comes through the Holy Spirit. Revelation always comes so that identity can be realized or so God's Kingdom can expand. Ask the Lord, "What truths do you want to reveal to me today?" In His Word, He says, "'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know'" (Jeremiah 33:3).
55. Sensitivity - Often I think to myself, 'That person could've shown more sensitivity.' I am a sensitive person, and therefore I am (generally) sensitive to the times that people need sensitivity to be shown to them. Perhaps a good rule of thumb would be "How would Jesus say it?" But our speech isn't the end-all of sensitivity. MUCH is communicated through our body language and facial expressions. Romans 12:16 reveals sensitivity as the reverse of conceit: "Be sensitive to each other's needs - don't think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don't be conceited" (CJB). So when we fail to be sensitive to others, we may need to check ourselves to see if we're becoming conceited in our thinking and feeling.
56. Spontaneity - The planner says, "I need to plan ahead so I can be more spontaneous." That's not how it works! Spontaneity is the state of being okay with the ABSENCE of a plan--or a loose and flexible one at best. According to blogger Matt Duczeminski (and I couldn't agree more), there are five main reasons that being spontaneous is a great thing: 1) You stay fresh; 2) You're more flexible; 3) You're more creative; 4) You're less stressed out; 5) You're happier.
57. Substance - Be a person of substance. Don't be content with surface-level conversation. Yes, there's a time and place for that--but don't be LIMITED to that. Let your care for others be tangible and your ideas solid--thought out, well-expressed. Talk about what matters. Trivialities can be fun, but "who you gonna call" when you need someone to talk through an issue with? A trusted friend who will give sound counsel because he or she is full of substance.
58. Truth - If we abide in Christ, we have His Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, but I also believe that being full of truth means that we are honest, first and foremost, with ourselves--what the Bible refers to as "truth in the inward parts" (Psalm 51:6). In the deepest part of our souls, if we desire and pursue truth, I believe it will be a key to walking in freedom. Pursuing truth means that we will address issues that would just as soon remain hidden--bringing them into the light so that they can be dealt with truthfully.
59. Trustworthiness - Be someone who can be taken at his or her word or entrusted with a delicate or important task. If someone shares something with you in confidence, honor their trust in you. Proverbs 11:13 says, "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered." Trustworthiness is part of walking in love--love COVERS.
60. Tenacity - When I think of "tenacity," I picture someone trying to master a difficult, physically-demanding obstacle course--fighting tooth and nail against the pain and gritting her (or his) teeth in dauntless determination. Tenacity means you can take hits; it means that if you fall, you will get back up and keep going; it means you are essentially unstoppable because you WON'T GIVE UP. And when what you are working for is eternal, the need for tenacity is even greater. Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Being tenacious, in spite of how hard it may be to keep doing the work required, pays off. Olympic champion Michelle Kwan credits a large part of her success to qualities that her mother instilled in her--courage, determination, and focus. Those three combined equal tenacity.
61. Understanding - Try to put yourself in others' shoes, and when you can't--get to know them before giving advice or judging. There is so much we can think we know...but we don't. Only God does. Yes, sometimes He will give us words of wisdom or words of knowledge regarding others, but these are meant to build up or "call out" the true identity of these individuals. True understanding is listening without thinking of what you're going to say next. In order to express understanding, you must have a heart that WANTS to understand.
62. Uplifting - Nobody wants to spend much time around someone who's a constant downer. Negativity crushes the spirit. Seek to be someone who brings LIFE to others and lifts their vision of life higher. "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,..." (Prov. 10:11a).
63. Uniqueness - Of course, we each ARE unique. But sometimes we try to become someone we're not. And that's not necessary. I'm not saying 'try to be as different as you can so that you become incredibly weird.' I'm saying, embrace the ways in which you stand out and are original already. Be yourself, and let this be your mantra: "You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made" (Psalm 139:13-14a).
64. Vim - My mom used to say I was full of "vim, vigor, and vitality." Even though these words mean much the same thing, I will make a few distinctions. "Vim" is defined as energy or enthusiasm. To be full of vim is to live life on high alert--to embrace new opportunities with gusto--to start one's day with a bright, shiny smile and a selfie. My daughter Kristiana has this quality. These days, I could use more of it.
65. Vigor - "Vigor" has to do with physical strength and good health. A person with vigor is tough and hardy. He or she is not easily brought down by sickness nor wearied in the face of hard work. Sometimes a vigorous person will try to do too much, simply because he or she feels like they CAN! Being full of vigor gives you the ability to help others with physical tasks--but don't forget to ask for help too.
66. Vitality - "Vitality" is synonymous with liveliness or passion. It's having a "bounce" in one's step. I think of Winnie the Pooh's friend Tigger. He displays large amounts of vitality as he bounces from place to place having fun, fun, fun, fun, fun! To me, a person with vitality displays the ESSENCE of being alive--they breathe in fresh air with enthusiasm; they appreciate the little sounds they hear, like birds chirping in the trees; they have their hands involved in many worthwhile pursuits; they notice new fragrances; they are observant and get excited over new discoveries. Essentially, they live in party mode. The motto of the vital is, "“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll look back and realize they were big things.” Truly, "...there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God" (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13).
67. Wisdom - James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." Fortunately, it doesn't place a limit on how many times we can ask--I know I've asked COUNTLESS times. Wisdom comes from God, of course--sometimes for a specific situation, sometimes as a spiritual gift, and sometimes just as we grow in Christ. As we get older, we (hopefully) become wiser and can pass that wisdom on to others--when appropriate. Titus 2 talks about older women instructing younger women in the ways of caring for their families. Pastor's wife Hannah Giselbach wrote an article based off this very Scripture for www.plainsimplefaith.com. It is titled "5 Things I Wish More Older Women Would Teach Younger Women (Like Me)." Her five things are: 1) How to Have a Happy Marriage; 2) How to Be a Homemaker; 3) How to Evangelize; 4) How to Be a Godly Mother; and 5) How to Be a Teacher. Ladies, if you possess wisdom in these areas, ask the Lord to show you how and when to pass it on--there are younger women out there who are hungry to learn what you know.
68. Whimsy - When I think of "whimsy," I think of two of my friends--Amy Hunt Harris and Kari Moynihan (whose birthday it is today). They remind me to enjoy the simple things in life, laugh as often as possible, and not take myself too seriously. That which is classified as "whimsical" is "playfully quaint or fanciful" in nature. Amy's cute little pot full of long-handled spoons for coffee and the tiny white lights strung along the top of her back deck; Kari's various Kelly Rae Roberts art pieces and scattered little replicas of Volkswagen buses; my Holly Hobbie collection and my little owls that pop out in various places around the house. Fun, fanciful, not necessarily purposeful. And yet--they are; their purpose is to bring joy and comfort. My advice: Go forth and be whimsical!
69. Willingness - Having a servant's heart. Being available to serve God and others in a way that pleases Him. Don't go to help someone and tell them the way YOU think it should be done (unless you are specifically ASKED). Be willing to do something the way another person wants it done just to SERVE them. And be willing to step out as God leads you to--not adding to or subtracting from that which He has asked--but simply being obedient to the instructions you've been given. A prayer I feel I should be praying all the time is Psalm 51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." Being full of willingness is living in a state of READINESS. You expect to be called into service. And your heart is glad because of it.
"X" marks the spot! There aren't any idea nouns I know of that begin with this letter yet retain the "x" sound. But there are many that begin with "ex." So think "extra," because we're going for EXamination of the heart for purposes of an EXtraordinary life.
70. EXuberance - As you might have guessed, exuberance carries with it excitement and energy--but also CHEERFULNESS and something called EBULLIENCE. Some of the synonyms for "ebullience" are buoyancy, merriment, and high spirits. When I think of an exuberant person, I see someone who both delights others and delights IN others. They carry a contagious excitement but also see the value and glory inside people--and it FURTHER excites them. They love to share their joyful buoyancy. I think of a cartoon show my kids used to watch, Gummi Bears. Part of the chorus goes "Bouncing here and there and everywhere. High adventure that's beyond compare,..." Being full of exuberance means living the adventure that is LOVE for others--which is beyond compare.
71. EXcitement - Like oXygen, it carries the "extra" that we need for abundant life. When you're preparing for or awaiting an event, the person who is full of excitement just CANNOT wait--they are bursting at the seams. I think of a young bride I recently witnessed at her wedding, physically bouncing as she knew the moment was drawing closer when she and her love would be pronounced man and wife--and she could finally kiss her new husband; the excitement within her was uncontainable.
72. EXpression - The actors I love to watch on screen show a great deal of expression, not only in their delivery of lines--but also in their faces. Likewise, I LOVE to hear folks tell a story when their facial expressions become dramatic and intensified, depending on what is happening in the tale. A person who is full of expression draws you in and causes you to listen and pay attention. If you're going to be a preacher, teacher, or any kind of public speaker, expression goes a LONG way. And have you ever noticed how much little kids respond to expression--in speech and face? They LOVE it! I believe God is an expressive God--and He gave us many ways to express ourselves to one another and to Him. I believe He loves expressive worship and to hear our hearts poured out to Him in full emotion and honesty. His love for us was expressed in the most IMMEASURABLE of ways when He sent His only Son to die on our behalf. Oh, to be full of just a FRACTION of the expressive love of Christ!
73. Youthfulness - My mom always said, "You're only as old as you feel." What she meant was 'it's a state of attitude, not a number, that determines our "age".' We don't have to act "old" once we reach a certain number in years. We can remain "young at heart" by continuing to try new things, participating in (oh, my!) "younger" activities, and burning the midnight oil from time to time. And when we allow God to renew our strength each day, we can remain young in spirit--having a youthful outlook--one that says not 'look how much time has passed' but instead 'look at how bright my FUTURE is!'
74. Yule - "Yule" is simply an old-fashioned term for "Christmas." And to be full of CHRISTMAS is to be full of what makes it important....Jesus! He is the greatest gift of all and the reason--not just for the season, but for every day of the year. In that regard, "Christmas" should always be in our hearts--and the yuletide joy that accompanies it.
75. Yearlies - By "yearlies," I mean "things that we do each year"--happy traditions, if you will--not just 'things we do because we've always done them'. Traditions should have meaning and be looked forward to. And it's never too late to start new ones. Yearlies are about family--and as we grow older, it's these "yearlies" that take us back to yesteryear.
76. Zeal - The best focus for zeal is on the Lord--and the things that matter to Him. Romans 12:11 says, "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." We should not take a lazy approach to our spiritual life--but instead serve the Lord with the energy and enthusiasm of a worthy PURSUIT. We are to PURSUE God--go after Him; embrace Him; reverence Him; obey Him. That is the picture of ZEAL.
77. Zest - Synonyms for "zest" that speak to its ideal practice are appetite, eagerness, and keenness. Have a ZEST for life--in other words, be HUNGRY for all that it has to offer. Be EAGER to find out what comes next. And have a KEEN eye for opportunities. Remember the story in Matthew 25 of the ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. "Five of them were foolish, and five were wise." The wise ones brought oil for their lamps, but as we are told, when the bridegroom finally came, "...the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut" (verses 8-10). "Zest" carries with it a READINESS for God's Kingdom, in season and out of season.
78. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah - Most of us probably know the words to the song, first recorded in 1946: "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay; My, oh, my, what a wonderful day; Plenty of sunshine headin' my way; Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!" "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" is a carefree exclamation that epitomizes a positive outlook. There's a spring in the step, an awareness and welcome regarding God's creation, and a song in one's heart. We would ALL do well to choose to have more zip-a-dee-doo-dah days. "...the kind of day when you can't open your mouth without a song jumping right out of it!"
