Investing in Your Life

What would you do if you were given $100,000? Well, you might have some special circumstances that would determine it for you--kids needing to go to college, a family member with high medical bills, and so on. But imagine that you didn't need the money--what would you do with it?

I would hope that you might do several things with it, such as enjoying some if it, investing some of it, and sharing some of it. For example, you might want to buy a new car. Then you might take some of the money and put in a bank account. Some more of it might go into long term savings, and some might be shared with those you love or those in need.

Emotionally, all of us go through times when we have enough or more than enough emotional energy, and other times when we are pretty much running on empty. During the times when we are full of energy, it can be like we have just been given a lot of money. It's like we have been given a "present." If we don't pay attention to what we are doing with our energy and positive feelings, we may "spend" it all on the moment, preventing it from having any long lasting consequences. Even when we are depressed, we will often have brief periods of feeling better. At those times, extra energy can feel like an unexpected gift.

Here are some suggestions to consider the next time that you have the present of extra energy.

Spend some of it. That's not so hard is it? Although for some of my clients, it actually is. They have a hard time having fun. For others, however, that is the easy part. Spending it can mean simply doing whatever strikes you as enjoyable--something you want to do or accomplish.

Secondly, invest some of that energy. Invest it in building a social support network for yourself. That will pay dividends for you the next time you are down. Research has shown that high quality social support is the best thing since sliced bread. It helps buffer us against stress and strengthens our immune systems against physical infection. A short term investment (one that will yield relatively quick rewards) is to reach out to friends that we have neglected recently. We can reestablish friendships that we have not let slip away totally. That doesn't take as much energy as forming new relationships. (For a good online article on developing social support and relationships, see the Mayo Clinic web site--http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/support-groups/MH00041/si=2765 ).

A long term investment of the extra energy might go into starting brand new relationships. They take longer to form. But they too yield rewards in the long run in the form of emotional support. A long term investment might also be starting up a new sport or starting to play an instrument.

And then there is the issue of giving some of it away. Research has shown that altruism has positive effects. Volunteer and use some of that energy to help others. It will have a positive effect on you in return.

So, remember the next time that you have some extra energy--enjoy it!! But also invest some of it in your future. And give some of it away, too.