Cup of Inspiration

Today, October 23^rd, we celebrate National Canning Day. Canning allows us to preserve food in one season to be enjoyed in future seasons. The canning of vegetables and fruits allows us to enjoy them in the dead of winter. We can enjoy meats months after preparation. The idea of canning is to save resources available to us now so we can use them in the future. While we are all familiar with canned food, we would be wise to look at how this can be applied in other areas of our life.

How can we apply the concept of canning in our professional lives? One example might be taking an online learning course during some free time in your work week. Perhaps during your lunch hour, you could read some articles to bring you up to speed with the latest technology in your industry. Maybe there is a network opportunity you can enjoy during a free weekend. Don’t forget while you work perhaps to make note of new skills you have acquired or to keep a portfolio of your success which can be used in a future job interview.

We can also apply the concept of preservation in our finances. Before spending that entire bonus check perhaps you could set aside a percentage of it into your savings. Have you received a raise at work lately? Maybe you can consider not increasing your expenses but instead saving a portion of that raise in a retirement account.

How can we apply the idea of preservation in our personal lives? If you have children, are you taking the time to teach small lessons in your children’s lives which will help them as they grow into adults? We also offer encouragement to those we love each time we see them. The cumulation of these thoughtful moments will help preserve a relationship.

In life we can’t continue to worry about the future. We do have to focus on living in the present. However, in the present it would be wise for us to set aside time, money, and other resources which can be applied toward our future. Just like a cook will use the canning process to preserve food today so we can enjoy it next year we should look at what we can preserve today which can be useful in the future. Building up skills and savings, as well as strengthening relationships, will help our future selves.