This is Tip #5 of a 5-part series on how to lead a happier and more fulfilling life:
- Tip 1: Treat Your Body With Respect
- Tip 2: Random Acts of Kindness
- Tip 3: Take Baby Steps to Improve Yourself
- Tip 4: Choose to be Happy – Happiness is a Choice
- Tip 5: [You Are Here] – Live Life to the Fullest
In Tip #4, we considered how happiness is your choice. You make the decisions in your life to reflect what you want from it. Life is a precious gift, and we have so many opportunities within our grasp.
Be A Child
Do you remember being a child, when everything was new and exciting? When you acted on impulse, just because its how you felt at that precise moment in time? When you had no rhyme or reason, and weren’t worried about the repercussions? You lived for the moment.
As adults, we tend to over-think things, we become comfortable. Our beautiful child-like naivety is lost. Our sense of wonderment, of intense interest is gone. But it hasn’t gone, it’s still there, just older and wiser.Have you ever made a bucket list? What is it you want to do more than anything?
What’s The Worst That Can Happen
When making a decision about whether to do something in life, be it a job opportunity, a day trip or a night out, I always ask myself – what’s the worst that can happen? If I make this crazy decision and it all goes wrong, what is actually the worst thing that could happen?
I met the love of my life once. We had a whirlwind romance and did everything a million miles an hour. We lived for the moment, and the choices we made were based on how we felt there and then. We did crazy things like swim in the sea in the middle of a freezing December night. Do you know the worst thing that happened that December night? We got cold. And we got wet. So we got back into the car in fits of laughter, turned the heating on full and we warmed up in minutes. That’s the worst thing that happened.
Now, my old self would have thought it ludicrous to have run into the sea that night in minus degrees. But, swept up in the magic, I was becoming a “yes” person, instead of a “no” person. If I’m asked to do anything, go anywhere or see anyone, I say yes. Because you get much more enjoyment out of life and much more pleasure by saying “yes”, even if it challenges you and your sensibility.
The Work Place
Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Some of us don’t even remember this anymore.
All I wanted to do when I was younger was travel the world and see beautiful places, eat interesting food and meet heart melting people. But, as life does, I got caught up in the cliche need to get a career, to earn as much money as possible so I could buy a house and have my 2.4 children like society expects. So I proceeded to try this, and it worked for two years, maybe two and a half. Until I couldn’t take it anymore. I had sacrificed all that I wanted to do in life, everything that I wanted to achieve from a personal level, I had sacrificed myself for convention. I am lucky because I was in a position where I could quit my accountancy position and I went on holiday, until I realised that I needed to work again. So I got a job as a Receptionist at a holiday park. Quite the turn around from being on my way to chartered accountancy! I look back now, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I may not be earning the money I would be had I stuck with accountancy, but, what I got in return, was life. The ability to travel, to talk to people all day long, and to live in one of the most beautiful places in Europe. I found my place of happiness.
The Trap
Sometimes it is all to easy to get caught in the trap of every day life. Remind yourself of your hopes and dreams, remember what it is that you love doing, and do it. The only person stopping you, is you. If you come to a block in your pathway, look around you, what options do you have? How do you get around the obstacle? There is always a way around the obstacles life throws at you – you just need to be strong enough to follow the pathway you choose. Make it work for you.
Life is so very precious, and we are so lucky to have each and every single day. So celebrate it, live your crazy ideas, live for the moment. Do things to make your heart and soul happy, do things that warm your insides. Do things because you can tell the story afterwards! There’s so much beauty in the world, and so much you can do with your life, you just have to choose to be happy, and choose to make every single day count.
Write down your life essentials, your purpose, your value and your goals. Write down things you would like to do and see in life, things you would like to achieve. These things are all do-able. Not all at once, but when you change your priorities, you can achieve anything. Prioritise you. Prioritise life.
5 Ways To Live Life To The Fullest
1. Become a “Yes” Person
Start saying yes to the opportunities you get in life. Don’t close the door because you “don’t feel like it”. If you say no, have a solid and valid reason for saying no. Otherwise, say yes and see where it takes you.
2. Tick Off Your Goals
Create a goal of one thing you would like to achieve in your life. Focus on achieving that goal, and feel excitement and pride when you tick it off the “list”.
3. Make Every Day Count
Start every day as if it is a fresh start. Be aware and be grateful for every single day you have. Try and achieve one positive thing in your day – one step towards your goal, one social activity or one sports activity for example.
4. Stop Complaining
Stop surrounding yourself with negativity. Don’t focus on the bad points of life, and don’t pollute someone elses day with your negativity. If you have something to complain about, speak to someone who can help. But try and avoid moaning for moanings sake.
5. Be Proactive
It is your life. You decide which path to follow. Be proactive in taking the steps required to reach your goals.
Your life is an exciting adventure, it is a blessing. Start becoming excited, start trying to improve each and every day. Work towards your ultimate goals, and when you get lost (which you will do, as we all do), think about which route you want to take. Do random, crazy things, just because you can. Encompass these 5 days into who you are, and integrate them into your daily life. In the end, our ultimate goal is happiness, and it is an adventure getting there. Embrace it.