Being Others Minded

Department(s): Character Strength, Faith and Fitness Culture

Read time: 5 minutes

Updated: September 5th, 2022

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If you were to pick a picture to illustrate this article what would it be? When we imagine what others-mindedness is and what it looks like we often think of volunteering to clean up trash in our community, donating to a fund-raising cause, serving food at Thanksgiving or packing care-packages for someone somewhere.

OK, sure it can be all that but it can be a lot more. AND – you can rock it really well when your physical fitness is intentionally invested into others as a passionate living-out of a faithful lifestyle. Look closer at what it means to be others-minded and explore the examples of others as you prayerful consider ways you personally transform your life – for others!

The more you seek God, explore the possibilities and cultivate the passion for being used for good by God the more you’ll discover that others-mindedness isn’t just something to do sometimes somewhere, it’s a lifestyle you can live out everywhere.

ONE AND DONE

There are at least three ways you can invest in others: publicly (often far-reaching mass efforts), group engagement and individually focused. The first two, can easily become one-and-done reactions. You give online to a non-profit toward their work in a natural disaster or some other human tragedy. You invade a community, do something nice and then bask in the moment of good-dead endorphins. Sure, it’s helpful and it has a place. But, if you limit exercising your capacity to care for others and serve those in need to distant or event causes you are most certainly experiencing some level of spiritual atrophy – you’re designed for more!

WORKOUT TO WORK OUT YOUR FAITH FOR GOOD

Doing something good is always a good idea – especially when it benefits you, right? Getting an education, earning income from a job, being responsible – it’s all good. Getting fit, becoming stronger, feeling better and living longer are even better. You can do fitness for you and leave it at that rationalizing that by simply focusing on yourself it’ll naturally at least inadvertently benefit others. That way of thinking follows this simple garden illustration:

Throw some seeds on the ground and some will naturally grow and perhaps even produce fruit.

Being others-minded elevates your workout with spiritual intention and transforms your fitness lifestyle with a passion for stewardship. You take ownership of your fitness not just for you but for the greater good God wants. That way of thinking follows this garden illustration:

Till the ground, plant the seeds, water them, weed the plants, fertilize, follow the wisdom and instruction of the master gardener … and as you tend the garden well you’ll get a bigger crop. It’ll be a good harvest with a higher yield and great results.

You get the results of a good workout for you yes but more significantly others get the results of gaining life transformation through Jesus Christ. It’s the cultivation of relationships through genuine friendships, conversations, smiles, fist pumps and sharing life.

Being individually focused is where you’ll discover your greater potential for being others-minded. It’s intentionally planned and guided by active prayer. It’s not complicated or difficult to take being others-minded to new and better levels. It flourishes with thoughtfulness, creativity and regularity.

WHAT IS ACTIVE PRAYER?

Visualize it this way: Imagine listening to one short inspiring tune or motivational message BEFORE you exercise. Now visualize the difference when you listen to an entire playlist or podcast THROUGHOUT your exercise. Which one is going to help you drive through to the end with focus? Or consider a personal trainer offering you an exercise tip BEFORE you workout as compared to that trainer providing instruction THROUGHOUT your entire workout. Which one more actively guides to an effective outcome? ACTIVE prayer is being prayerfully others-minded THROUGHOUT the whole of your fitness activity.

THOUGHTFULNESS

Look around you – see people in need rather than needy issues.
Ask questions and listen deeply. Resist quick conclusions.
Consider ALL the strengths that you can offer.

CREATIVITY

How can you get past barriers and go beyond limits? Do fitness differently.
What is an offer that will be welcomed to meet a practical need?
Lead toward the smile. Transition from a problem to a solution and from a weakness to a strength.

REGULARITY

Do it well and make it a celebration.
Consider more and plan for it. Make it part of your budget.
Nurture connections when you are away from them.

SIN OR RIGHTEOUSNESS – REALLY?

As you check out the examples below it’s helpful to keep a few things in mind. Being others-minded isn’t something to do to make up for your failures, lack or bad attitudes. You do it simply because it’s the right thing to do and in response to God. Being others-minded isn’t some contrived effort it is a fluid engagement and relationship. Being others-minded doesn’t show-off God it is the humble and genuine presence of God.

We want to hear from you. CONTACT US and share how you are being others-minded through fitness.

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