Time and Money

     “If you want to know what is important to someone, look at their schedule and their checkbook. Where they spend their time and money tells what is important to them.” I would change this sentiment slightly, by inserting the word “discretionary” into the quote. Almost all of us will devote the bulk of our time to working, sleeping, and personal needs. Similarly, most of our income will go for food, housing, clothing, and transportation. It is how we use what is left over that reveals optional priorities.

     When I apply this template to myself, the result confirms what I wrote as my personal mission statement thirty some years ago. The statement reads “My mission in life is to grow into my full potential as a child of God. I will do this primarily by serving others. This applies especially, but not exclusively, to my family.” To put it briefly, I am here to grow and to serve.

     One manifestation of this mindset has been my pursuit of formal education. I have the dubious distinction of having a doctorate and two master’s degrees, but no bachelor’s. That came about because back in 1969 I did not need a bachelor's degree to enter veterinary college. I received my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1973.

     Over the first seventeen years of practice, I became interested in the financial performance of dairy farms. I thought I could better serve my clients if I had training in business management. I began pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree in 1990. The requirement for a bachelor’s degree was waived in view of my DVM degree. I received the MBA in 1999 and have used that education extensively as a consultant to dairy farmers. My personal and professional growth was significant.

     As I approached retirement age, I became increasingly aware of situations where family conflict caused significant emotional pain, with a very negative impact on quality of life for all involved. Once again, I perceived that if I had more knowledge, I could help some of these families. I returned to the classroom, and in 2020, at age seventy, I attained a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling. I use this training by serving as a volunteer counselor at the Jordan United Church of Christ. Again, my personal and professional growth was significant.

      I share this information not to brag about my accomplishments, but to illustrate the truth behind the opening quote of this musing. I devoted thousands of hours and many thousands of dollars attaining the two master’s degrees. I considered both to be investments in myself and in my ideals. Writing a personal mission statement was foundational to helping me understand, and then pursue what was most important to me.

     How about you? If you reflect on your schedule and your spending, are you pleased? Are you supporting your personal mission? Have you defined one? Where is God calling you? Are you listening?