Where do you go to seek clarity? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“You don’t need clarity on the rest of your life, just on what’s next in your life.”
Sometimes just stopping makes space for something new to show up.
“Before picking up the phone, pause for a moment and think about the purpose of the call.”
Image from Unsplash by Willian de Oliveira
We live in two fifty-five and older senior communities — one in Pennsylvania, one in Florida. For many of us, the added trips around the sun come with various maladies — including conditions related to the wear and tear on hips, shoulders, and — given today’s quote — knees.
Some of the people I know have experienced many of these conditions on multiple occasions. What always inspires me are their courageous hearts, which have them face their challenges and continue to take each step to live as fully and meaningfully as possible.
EXERCISE:
How does your own courageous heart help you stand tall and steady when life tries to bend you over and knock you down?
Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan
Passion and purpose are definitely the one-two punch of success and achievement.
Having one without the other is often not enough for us to persist and stay the course.
Many of us feel the pull of purpose to begin our journeys only to be faced with dark times that slow us down or stop us completely.
To keep the lights on and the fires burning we need the inner flames of passion when we stumble.
Passion give us the strength and resilience to pick ourselves up and take the next step and the next.
EXERCISE:
How passionate and purposeful do you feel in your current personal and professional efforts?
How can you summon this powerful pair to punch through anything that may be standing in your way?
Image from Unsplash by Mineragua Sparkling Water
To what degree do you race through your life?
Some ways to estimate your pace is to examine your driving habits or the time it takes to eat your meals.
Sometimes — if you are like many of us — you do both at the same time.
Driving fast and eating fast food are clearly not wise things to do.
If you have ever taken the Real Age test, you already know that these behaviors can reduce your biologic age to something below your chronological age.
EXERCISE:
Schedule a candlelit meal with your significant other.
Block out twice as much time as you usually do to sip and savor your meal and the time with this special person.
Where else in your life may you be missing the full flavors of life?
How could slowing down and drinking in more moments add more life to your years?
Image from Unsplash by Rachael Gorjestani
How do you usually feel on Friday compared to Monday? If you have engaging plans for the weekend or have a career you enjoy, your answer is usually very positive for both scenarios.
What happens to many working folks on Sunday evenings if their jobs don’t exactly light them up?
The situations above are examples of positive and negative “Creative Tension,” where the nature of the future has a significant effect on our moods and overall satisfaction with life.
EXERCISE:
In what ways can you be more intentional with your life to use the power of “creative tension” to envision and realize more of your hopes and dreams?
Image from Unsplash by Mike Tinnion
Consider the following statements and choose the number (1-10) that represents where you are today.
My level of happiness is_______
The quality of my relationships is_______
My mental and physical health score______ and _____
My career satisfaction is_______
The level of balance and personal freedom I experience is_______
EXERCISE:
Create a list of one to ten items for 2023 and rate yourself.
Consider partnering with a friend, colleague, family member or coach to clarify, pursue and achieve far more tens in the year ahead.
A useful book that can help with this exercise is Your Best Year Yet by Ginny Ditzler.
What do your behaviors say about you? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
To be. To do. To have. Take life in this order.
“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person — your behavior does.”
Image from Unsplash by Call Me Fred
How often do you find yourself upset when things don’t go your way?
If we wait for things outside our control to fulfill our expectations, we’re sure to be in for a very bumpy ride.
Alternatively, if we look within our own mindset and efforts, we can definitely adjust our approach to outside events.
EXERCISE:
How can you maintain high standards while monitoring and managing the expectations you have for yourself and the world around you?
Image from Unsplash by Ruffa Jane Reyes
One lesson I’ve learned over the years is to play with a contrarian perspective on things. This often entails doing things in new and different ways, and at times when other folks don’t or won’t.
This has come in handy when it comes to shopping.
This past weekend it wasn’t possible to beat the crowds with my usual early morning shopping adventure.
I found myself faced with a packed parking lot. Instead of circling and circling looking for those elusive open spots I used another learning of looking for people who were walking to their vehicles so I could take their spot once they’d left.
EXERCISE:
Please reply to this post with a learning that has changed your perspective or how you operate in life.
How open are you to sharing your life, your possessions, your wisdom, and your pain? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”
“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”