A while ago, while walking through a Hamilton mall, we came across these words, splashed brightly across the wall:
Connect Learn Move Notice Give Back
They were part of a campaign to increase awareness of what we need for good mental health. And I got to thinking about how these basic principles were really nothing new, that this wisdom had already been given to us in ancient writings. It has remained good advice through thousands of years, encompassing the needs of both infant and senior citizen. Though much has changed in technology and communication, our basic human nature remains the same. Out of curiosity, I searched through Scripture to find corresponding ideas.
Connect
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12
“Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labour:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?” Ecclesiastes 4:9-11
Learn
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6
“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4
Move
“For in him we live and move and have our being. ” Acts 17:28
Notice
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8
“Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Give Back
“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 23:22
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.” Luke 12:48
Connect, Learn, Move, Notice, and Give Back are tacked up on my refrigerator as a reminder of what to include in some form in my everyday life: socializing with others, staying curious, getting out for walks, paying attention to the awesomeness of the creation around me, including what is always being provided for me, and looking for opportunities to give from the overflow of so many blessings.
Out of this abundance, how there be anything but gratitude!
