It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily struggles and strife. Oftentimes, we live only to complete the next chore, solve the next problem or conquer the next challenge.
Juggling your myriad of tasks, accomplishing goals, achieving prosperity is all good, but we must never forget that’s not all there is to life.
Reminders of life’s brevity are constantly and oftentimes painfully before us. Yet, the importance of making our short time here “sweet” is often forgotten in the hustle and haste of our lives. For many of us, a refresher course is occasionally in order.
Check your perspective and your attitude. As the ancient (Hey, do you really think any of the stuff you’re going through is new?) Greek philosopher Epictetus said, “Men are not disturbed by things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.” You’re the one who decides if the events of your life are bad or good. How you think determines how you feel. Thinking things are OK or at least not so bad takes no more effort than thinking things are terrible. Changing your perspective can make your life a lot more pleasant.
Give yourself some support and a kind word. “The most important things ever said to us are said by our inner selves.” – Adelaide Bry. Is that pre-recorded voice constantly playing in your ears a cheerleader or a critic? If it’s a constant critic, dwelling on every mistake and shortcoming, shut it off. Replace it with the “that a boy” and “you’re doing fine” that you deserve. Make sure that the voice you hear most often is supportive and positive.
Take a break and enjoy. It’s not only about work. Relax. Do things you enjoy. Spend time with people who nurture you and doing things that enrich you. Never forget that family and friends are precious gifts. Cherish them.
Be grateful. All too often in our drive to accomplish more we fail to appreciate all the wonderful things we already have. It’s been said that once we learn to count our blessings, they increase. When was the last time you stopped to really appreciate all that you have? Gratitude for even the smallest things in life needs to be felt and expressed. Being grateful is a habit we all need to acquire.
Focus on now. A large part of our lives is spent on auto-pilot. Our bodies may be engaged in a task, but our minds, our consciousness is somewhere else. Most of us spend so much time agonizing about the past or fretting about the future that there’s little if any time left for the present. Yet, the present, the now is the only thing we have any control over. Focusing on the present is the only way to create the kind of future and past we desire.
A life that’s joyful, a life that’s enriching, a life that’s fully lived is sweet – no matter how few its days. May we all come to realize that having such a life is within our power. May we all come to realize life is sweet.
