Columns Of The Heart
For thousands of years, architecture has embraced the use of columns. Columns were used to support arches and beams upon which ceilings and walls rested. Providers of structural integrity, if you will. I’ve walked among a few of the Roman variety in the city of Split, Croatia, located on the Adriatic Sea due east of Italy. These palace columns have been standing for nearly 2000 years. True story. And at the base of these columns were folks selling Croatian artwork, imported Italian sweaters and Nike soccer balls. Also a true story. Back in the day, circa 305 AD, the palace was built as the retirement home for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Not really sure what to make of the Roman Emperor’s retirement package, however. After retiring, he was subsequently killed and thrown into the Sea (as the tour guides tell it). Today, however, the heart of commerce still beats within those palace walls and at the foot of those very columns.
Though benefits packages have come a long way, we still need those columns. Just three, really. And all we’ll need is an excel spreadsheet or a pencil and paper. (Aside: The Egyptians and Persians constructed their columns indoors while the Greeks and Romans used theirs both indoors and out.) So, you see, it’s not so much how you integrate your columns into your structure, but that you integrate them – period. But since you asked, I like the pencil and paper variety. I retain more when I write than when I type. Okay, so where were we? Oh yes, ready to build our columns:
Column 1: The date Column 2: What you bought Column 3: How much it cost
“Sure, sure, and I’ll see where I spend my money. Just how, exactly, does that relate to the structural integrity you’ve alluded to?” you may ask.
Fair response. Having the above information is a great first step toward financial balance, but what resides in these columns represents more than spending habits. It represents your heart. You want to know what’s important to you? Look at your bank and credit card statements.
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Luke 12: 34
Not a big Bible reader? Those are the words of Jesus. You may know him from such works as: THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE, Little Debbie Swiss Roll Cakes, and the US hockey team’s win over the Soviets in the 1980 Winter Olympics. These are his words as provided by Luke, an author and doctor back in the day. Or if you prefer, you’ll find the same words in the book of Matthew, previously a tax collector before dropping that gig to hang with JC and crew.
Here’s the deal. You don’t have to believe Jesus is who he says he is for the principle above to bear weight. Give it a shot. Document every dollar. It’s going somewhere – either through intention or ignorance. But if you do fall into the believer category, then accounting for the gifts you’ve been entrusted with, be they time, talent or your resources, is something you’ve already taken to heart, no?
Today’s Takeaway: Insert columns into your financial structure and take a load off.
