Purpose
Life must have meaning and yet the Meaning of Life is a question Life asks of us, not one we ask of Life i.e. Life has whatever meaning YOU give it. Give Life no meaning and Life will have no meaning for you. Personally, I resolved at a very young age to “Live No Ordinary Life”. I spent my earliest years in poverty and I didn’t like it and I resolved to work hard and smart, make the best of myself and change my circumstances. That provided much of the motivation in the beginning. As I matured, that drive evolved into higher order meaning: These days I wake up every morning resolved to be a better person by the end of the day and to leave the world a better place in some way, no matter how small.
Connection
A Strong Personal Life, a Network of Supportive Relationships, including social and community involvement, is essential to a good life. Choose your friends wisely for your life is powerfully impacted by those you spend time with. Close relationships require an investment of time and energy; a wise farmer does not cast his seeds unto rocky ground, and so does someone resolved to create the best life possible choose their companion carefully for life’s journey. They say you can’t choose your family but you can choose who you spend time with. I hang out with the family members who bring out the best in me and I do the utmost to return the favor.
Growth
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift. Written goals for all six of your major roles in life (footnote) along with plans and target dates are an excellent way to guide and turbo charge your growth, as is journaling regularly to gain insight and perspective. To live a good life, to grow, you need energy (mental and physical). Find a source of inspiration, be it spirituality, good books or CD, and return to it regularly for guidance and recharging. For physical energy: eat right, eat healthy, eat light, exercise often, find a sport or physical activity you enjoy, do it often. Treat your body like a holy temple, honor it and it will serve you well for a lifetime.
Footnote:
Six Major Life Roles
Career/Financial
Family/Personal
Physical/Health
Education/Mental
Social/Community
Spiritual/Creative
As always, I share what I most want/need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier
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