BY DR. GLENN MOLLETTE

A retired friend of mine fishes three or four times a week. He does it because he enjoys it and it is something to do. A retired schoolteacher friend played organized basketball until he was 85. He played in college and enjoyed the game his entire life.

High school kids play sports, cheer, play in the band or pursue various activities because it is something they want to do. There are some pursuits in life that we feel we must do. Often people work jobs they do not enjoy, but they need a paycheck. Sometimes you may not really have the time to mow the grass, but if you do not, the grass will become unmanageable.

Food is an area where we have difficulties. I prefer ice cream and cake, but I know I cannot eat that very often. My regular diet of choice has to be salad, broccoli, salmon and other vegetables and some fruit. I understand why bison, elk and deer are healthier to eat. They have a very lean diet. Elk sausage and bison burgers are very good.

Every year, my doctor asks me if I am still interested in doing stuff. I am. If I had zero interest in doing anything, I do not know how I would survive. This may be the catch. We do not survive very long if we give up or have nothing that arouses our interest. We need a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and something to look forward to. Another friend wrote a book about hearing the trumpets in the morning. He wrote about his zeal to get out of bed and pursue life each day.

When we stop hearing the trumpets in the morning, we need to do a self-check. We need to ask ourselves why and determine to do something about our apathy.

I cannot give you a list of activities or life pursuits. Only you know what flips your switch. Obviously, it has to be something we can do because trying to do what we cannot do is not very fulfilling, but maybe it would be? Maybe learning something new might invigorate you? Maybe doing the same old thing all the time is what has become boring to you? We are creatures of habit, and often we do the same things the same way forever. Maybe learning a new game or activity might be stimulating?

I do know doing the same thing the same way all the time will generally bring the same results. This may work for you. This may not be working for you.

Stay motivated. Do good every day. Love God and love yourself. Keep trying to be active. Go to bed tired. Hopefully, early every morning you will hear the trumpets.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is the author of 15 books. He is a graduate of Georgetown College, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, and Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Kentucky. He is the founder of Newburgh Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana. His column is published in more than 600 media outlets nationally.