There are times if we are not careful, we spend so many hours at work that we don't spend enough quality times on the people and things that matter; or worse still we don't have time to take care of ourselves. Sometimes I feel like this, I am running from one thing the other and before you know it, I have given out so much that I become tired, and agitated.  So now I try to take time out and plan days when I can just stop and do absolutely do nothing. Sometimes we have to be still and take stock of what we do, and why we do it. We need to regularly priorities our lives so that we can have a balanced and fulfilled life.

Spend precious time with family

There was a young teenager named Tom whose parents were very wealthy and made sure he had the best of everything as he was also an only child.  Tom had a friend called Sam whose parents could barely make ends meet. One day Sam invited Tom to his house for a sleep over as he was fed up of always having to go to Tom's house.  During that evening the boys got chatting, and Tom said to Sam "your family is really poor and your house is rather small "Sam replied "our house may be small, but we have love big enough to create a mansion". At dinner time, Tom was quite surprised at how Sam's family all sat together and shared a meal and seem to be having a good time.  At one point Tom became quiet and went out of the room. Sam's dad went to ask him what was wrong, he replied "I wish my family could be as poor as you so we could spend more time together and have fun as my parents always give me things but never time"

Send me no flowers

Mary was an Old lady of 83 and she lived on her own after her husband died.  Though she had children, she preferred to stay on her own as she did not want to be a burden to her children. She was sad on a number of occasions as her children and grand children didn't seem to have time for her.  When Mary died, the children gave her a very high class  funeral and everyone remarked how costly it must have been. During the reading of the will, this is some of what Mary had written down "My children, when I was s alive you did not send me any flowers, so why did you bother now? When I was alive you did not show you cared for me, so why pretend to the world now that you even cared? Why did you spend so much money on my funeral, when I was alive you never bought me anything?  Mary left all her money and valuables to a charity that helps old people.

• So today, take time out to develop yourself, spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally and financially.
• Make time for yourself, and time with others – On your own you may feel at times you can't but together with the help and support of other you can!
• Appreciate and show love to the people in your life.
• Make a difference to the life of others – why not start by given people you meet the gift of a smile or a Word of Encouragement?