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Whenever this type of issue comes up, I always have to wrestle between doing something for others and being selfish by doing something for myself. In some ways, I feel strongly compelled in both directions because inherently I do strive to help others in life. This isn't to say that I always follow through because I enjoy the comforts and entertainments of life as well. Of course, I suppose I could split the difference and do some of both, but in some ways focus makes a very big difference in the quality of the experience. Here are a few thoughts on what I would do if I had no responsibilities for a year.

STUFF FOR ME

I could very easily fill my time if I had no responsibilities for a year. It is possible that I might get a bit bored, but somehow I think I could remain entertained. On a simple level I could easily fill my time by reading books, watching movies, playing sports, and just hanging out with people. I could easily go get a coffee with friends every single day and that would be fun for me. On a more global scale, I would love to go on a very long cruise or take an extensive vacation through Europe. Granted, this might mean that I would need a large portion of cash to go with my lack of responsibility, but since we are dealing with a lack of reality, I assuming the funds would be there.

STUFF FOR OTHERS

If I ponder what I could do for others, I could easily come up with projects for a year. I might go on a mission project to another country where I could help out in whatever area was needed. Or, I could stay local and volunteer at any number of churches or community outreach organizations. As it is, I do some of that now so it would be a natural transition to do it full-time for a year. On a simpler scale, I would donate blood, hand out lunches to homeless people, and go visit people who didn't have someone come by very often.

This is in many ways a highly fictional scenario so it is hard to know exactly how I would handle it. However, I can look at my life right now and it can tell me what I might do with my time if I had no responsibilities for a year. Right now I pretty much do everything that I listed (except for the cruise and Europe) and both giving to others and enjoying my own things gives me joy. A year off would be nice, but I can also do what I do without that long of a break.

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