I have found that if you love life, life will love you back. – Arthur Rubinstein
If you think about it, we have “relationship” with life. Sometimes this relationship is better than other times. There are moments when we are madly in love with life! We’re full of excitement, passion, and curiosity. Other times, the road gets rocky and we question whether the life we’re living is “right for us.” Unfortunately you only have one life to make the most of. The old “plenty of fish in the sea” adage doesn’t apply to our relationship with life. We have to play the cards we’re dealt and make the most of it. As well, like any relationship, if we want things to be remarkable we have to work hard and put in serious effort. We have to engage in certain practices and cultivate a healthy attitude and perspective. When we make these certain choices and shift our perspective we can reignite the spark in our relationship with life. We can fall in love with life again! I sent out two questions to you all last week and got quite a few responses. These are questions that every new subscriber will be receiving to help me understand how I can be of service and help improve the content here. Here are the questions: What is the biggest problem you’re facing right now? What would be your ideal/perfect day? Many of the responses had a common theme. These included concerns with relationships, money, work life, and health. As I was reading the responses I got the impression that many of you weren’t feeling that love and inspiration about life.
You have to remember that the hard days are what make you stronger. The bad days make you realize what a good day is. If you never had any bad days, you would never have that sense of accomplishment! – Aly Raisman
There wasn’t a sense of fulfillment and freedom. Instead it seemed as though you we’re feeling more discouraged or tired of the experience you’ve been having. It’s sort of like the infatuation period we have in a new relationship. At first everything is wonderful and passionate, but as time goes on if we don’t make a concerted effort to keep the fire going we lose those loving feelings. We become blinded to the brighter future that is possible. So, I wanted to put this post together to help you all fall in love with life again! Here are 5 essential ways to begin a life-long love affair with life!
Live at your edge
Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is. – Mary Anne Radmacher
I believe when we are growing and expanding we are happier, and we are more fully alive. Push and challenge yourself to reach the next level. When I work with people in a coaching relationship, this is a crucial part of the process. They are working toward goals and have big ambitions but aren’t taking the steps that will change their life. They aren’t taking the steps that scare them. Instead of living at their edge, they are living in safety and comfort. Loving life means living with passion and fervor, not just comfort and safety. Where can you challenge yourself to get closer to your edge? (Health, career, finance, relationships, etc.)
Don’t forget about the essentials
I think a routine in important for health and well-being. There are certain actions or habits we can develop to help us stay uplifted and inspired. For me this is:
- Meditation
- Listening to inspiring books/podcasts
- Exercise
- Reading my vision statement until I feel it
- Finding ways to serve others
When I don’t do most of these consistently for a week or two I start to notice. I get irritable and less compassionate. I get in a funk and feel drained of energy. I like to think of it as making quality time for myself. Where do you need to make more quality time for yourself?
Spark Curiosity
I think, at a child’s birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity. ― Eleanor Roosevelt
As life kicks are ass and we get stuck in a rut, are spark of curiosity dwindles. We start to focus on worries, problems and fears instead of having that childlike sense of wonder. What are you curious about? What are you really really interested in that makes you think, “I want to know more about this.” Approach what you’re curious about and life will glisten again.
Get Grateful
In any situation, we have a choice to dwell on what’s missing and what we don’t like, or to choose to cultivate a grateful perspective. When was the last time you focused on gratitude for your ability to walk, for your sight and hearing? What else are you taking for granted in your life? When we appreciate what we have we are happy. Make time to focus on what you are thankful for. Two ways to do this are making a gratitude list before you go to bed each night, or writing a gratitude letter to someone who you want to thank for what they have done in your life.
Focus on what is possible
A dream is what makes people love life even when it is painful. – Theodore Zeldin
Don’t forget about what is possible. Despite the problems, what possibilities exist? When we open our eyes to possibilities we get inspired. We become more alive and excited. Develop a vision for where you want to be and where you’re headed. Don’t allow your problems to be a dead end. Possibilities are endless!
Always do your best
Even when things aren’t going well we can at least try and do our best. This will help you feel better about yourself and get better results in the process. Even when I’m doing something I’m not passionate about or don’t like so much I try to do my best. Work to be the best-version-of-yourself. Don’t compromise your virtues and you will be happier. It’s time that you commit yourself to loving and cherishing life. Don’t hold back or settle. Be bold, live fully, and change the world!
If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of. – Bruce Lee
