Challenge yourself...

Challenge yourself mentally and physically. Doing the same things every day is great for routine, but to really experience life you have to get outside of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to experiences that will enrich your life and your health.

  What can you do that is mentally challenging? Take a class? Read a novel? Sudoku/Puzzles/Crosswords? How about physically? Exercising? Travel? Losing weight through healthy lifestyle changes? Challenge yourself daily until it is no longer a challenge but a habit. Your life will change for the better.

To live your best life you NEED to have a bucket list.

Keep a "Bucket List". When you write your goals and dreams on paper, it is no longer a wish, but a goal. Once you have a written goal, you can take the steps needed to reach that goal and it will enrich your life immensely. One of my greatest pleasures is traveling. It gives me something to look forward to and the people I meet and the cultures I have been introduced to have enriched my life. “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”

  Grab a piece of paper, a note card, a journal, or whatever you have on hand. Write your bucket list. It can be places you want to visit, books you want to read, food you want to make, career or family goals you want to achieve. The options are limitless. You can do it by category (for example today my husband and I each picked our top five international places we'd like to visit and our top five United States destinations), or just make one long list of your top 50 or 100 experiences. What is important is that you take the time to do it. 

Living your best life means taking the time out to plan and hope and dream and achieve the experiences you choose throughout the time you are here.  

Never make someone a priority that only sees you as an option

Never make someone a priority, when all you are for them is an option. Everyone comes into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. As relationships last longer, you may notice that in the beginning, you were a priority in someones life. As time goes on things may change and you may become an option. Phone calls and time together lessens. Plans get broken last minute. They contact you only when they need something, to share the latest drama in their life or when nothing better comes up. At that point you realize the relationship was for a reason or a season, and it is OKAY. When you let your time and energy be devoted to those who are making you a priority, you continue on your journey with new lessons and friendships.

  Is there someone in your life that you are devoting a lot of time and energy to and they are making you an option? If so, don't let go of the relationship, but invest that time smarter by giving it to those who are making you a priority.  To live your best life put your time and energy into the lives of those people who invest their time in you.   It matters.

Live a life of compassion.

Live life with COMPASSION. At all times in all ways, show compassion to all living things. There are SO many types of people in this world, and that is what makes it beautiful. Everyone on their own path, figuring out their own personal journey. At times you come in contact with people with whom you don't see eye to eye. In those cases have compassion ~ everyone is fighting some type of battle.

  Is there a person you are struggling with because you are side by side on your journey but obviously on different life paths? How can you show them compassion? It matters.

OVERUSE I love you!!!

OVERUSE "I Love You". Too many people wait for a holiday to share their expressions of love. It shouldn't take a Hallmark Holiday for you to tell someone "I love you", "you mean the world to me", "you make a difference in my life". Gifts of love should NOT be given because a date on a calendar says it is a holiday -- Flowers should be given just because (not because of Valentines Day), dinner out should be just because you care, every day is a special occasion when you share it with someone you truly care about.

  Is there someone you cherish that doesn't know how much you truly care about them, or what a difference they've made in your life? If they passed away tomorrow would they know, or would it be only their friends when you walked up to the podium to give their eulogy. Take the time to write down the people that matter most to you, and find a way to let them know as soon as possible what a difference they've made in your life. It matters.

Forget what hurt you but never forget what it taught you....

Forget what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you. Everything happens for a reason --- good and bad -- and there is a lesson that comes with it. In order to keep a positive outlook on life (and not end up bitter and alone due holding on to anger/hurt/resentment) let go of any of those feelings that came along with the bad times. Simply let it go, and hold onto the lesson it taught you. Did the lesson teach you how strong you really are? Did it teach you independence? Did a person teach you to be grateful NOT to be like them?

  Look at areas in your life where you are holding on to hurt and resentment. Take the steps to let it go and move on with your life. Holding onto hurt and resentment only harms you; the other person goes on with life and isn't affected. With that said, find the lesson in each incident and don't lose the sight of that lesson. Chances are once the lesson is learned, you won't have to deal with a negative similar situation again.

Invest in your relationships.....

Invest in your relationships. In our fast paced world it is not uncommon to lose sight of what matters most and one of the most important things in life is the relationships you have with others. In every relationship, time needs to be invested for that relationship to thrive. When the relationship begins to falter, often it is due to lack of time invested.
  

Look at your relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. Where can you invest uninterrupted time that will strengthen your relationship? Make it happen; it matters!

Be finanically responsible...

Be financially responsible. It is up to you, and you alone to cover the expenses you incur. With that in mind, be sure to take financial care of yourself.

  Look at your current financial situation. Where can you improve? Do you impulse shop? Do you put anything in savings? Are you following a budget. Put your focus into your financial security and reap the rewards. It matters.

Relax and Rejuvenate

Take time out to RELAX. It isn't healthy to be on the go non stop, dealing with life's/work's battles. Every single person NEEDS for their health's sake to take the time to relax. Whether you can only take 10 minutes a day, or a weekend, this needs to be a priority. Relax, Renew, Recharge.

What can you do to make relaxing a priority? Can you take 10 minutes a day of quiet time? Can you schedule a few hours on the weekend? Can you plan a weekend away every few months? Whatever is possible in your current situation, MAKE it happen. It matters.

Take the time to find your passion ~ Then go out into the world and DO GOOD....

I absolutely love the above quote.  I think that so many people have the misconception that "service" means heading down to the nearest non-profit and donating your time or volunteering and the nearest community event.  That some "group" or "church" or "non-profit" or "company" or "school" needs to organize and seek volunteers in order to serve.  Although these are great ways to get involved with your community I have a totally different view of what it means to serve and find joy.

I believe that once you find your passion, daily opportunities come your way in order to "serve".  Think of it as living your life through a lens of compassion. It is noticing another person's needs and feeling the call within you to do something to alleviate that person's worries, fears, or struggles. 

What are your passions?  What are your skills?  Where do you excel?  Where would you choose to spend your time if the opportunity arose?  It doesn't matter how you serve others. Whether it be a random act of kindness, assisting with a chore, or spending quality time with someone and just lending an ear to listen.

 

Each and every day we have the opportunity to do what we can, with what we have, wherever we are.  

It doesn't have to cost a dime.  Smile and say hello as you pass someone in the parking lot or on the sidewalk.Give a compliment to someone.  Hold the door and wish someone a wonderful day.  Share your talents and time with those who will thrive in your company.   It matters!

Stop the blame game ~ You are in control of your own life.

You are in control of your own life. You and only you. It isn't anybody's fault for where you are, where you are going, or where you have been. It is your choices and your reactions.

Reflect on any situation where you are holding a grudge or grievance or are placing blame on someone for something that is happening in your life and LET IT GO. Tomorrow will be a new day. Move forward with that knowledge that you choose your destiny, and if someone enters your life, it is YOU who chooses how to react to the situation.

To live your best life, learn to EMBRACE CHANGE.

Learn to embrace CHANGE. Whether in the home, at work, in the community, or anywhere else you are, you will find that life has a way of introducing a constant state of change. For those who embrace change well, the transition is easy. For those that go in kicking and screaming the ride is a little rougher.

  Look at areas in your life where change is happening and make an effort to embrace that change wholeheartedly. You will find when you embrace change, your world changes for the better.

Make yourself a priority ~ It matters.

Make yourself a priority. When you treat yourself with love and respect and are truly happy inside and out you become a light for others to follow.
  

Do something that you enjoy each and every day...whether it is visiting a friend, reading a book, painting, or going for a walk. Whatever it is that brings you joy, find the time to make it a priority each day. It matters.

Before you speak ~ T.H.I.N.K.

Before you speak T.H.I.N.K.

Practice asking yourself before you speak ~ Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspirational? Is it necessary? Is it kind? If not, keep it to yourself.

Create a life that feels good on the inside.

Create a life that feels good on the inside. Having a fancy house, a manicured lawn, 2 sports cars in the driveway may look good on the outside, but does that fulfill you? Make you happy? Not if it comes with financial stress and strain and having to keep up with the neighbors. I can guarantee a person living within their means is much happier on the inside.

 

Reflect on anything in your life you are currently doing for the sake of impressing others, or out of obligation. Make a choice to replace those actions with something that truly brings you joy. Happiness is a lifestyle that is created when what you do and what you think are in alignment.