How to Love Your Life.
“Death is very likely the single best invention of life.” – Steve Jobs
We all know that we have limited time here, in this precious life. Yet, we don’t always live like each moment is our last, nor would it be healthy to do so! However, it’s valuable on occasion to remind ourselves of the finite nature of our existence, so that we can live with intention and create our best lives.
In order to love our lives, we need to take a deep look at where we are right now and we need to be willing to see what is working and what’s not. This requires radical honesty with oneself (and courage!). Below is a life-affirming exercise that I have created that offers a tool to begin the process of self-inquiry using embodied presence.
Life-Affirming Exercise:
This is an opportunity to reflect and assess where you are now and where you want to go. You get to explore what living a good life means to YOU. This process increases your self-awareness, so that you can have all the information you need to start taking steps toward your best life. Although it can be scary to consider what you want, see if you can enter the exercise from a place of non-judgmental curiosity, so that it can be fun and liberating.
Instructions:
To fully experience this opportunity with all of who you are, I invite you to find a comfortable seat and read each question slowly and then close your eyes. Notice, what happens as you repeat the question with your eyes closed, looking inside. Take a conscious breath. Then, without dismissing or trying to change any part of your experience, tune into the nuances of your:
Thoughts: Do they race? Do they slow? Do you go blank? Do colors or scenes show up? Do memories bubble up? Is judgment rearing its head? Is there a lot of outside dialogue and distraction? Whose voice are you hearing? Something else?
Feelings/Mood: What emotions surface? How are you feeling about what’s arising? What mood do you notice (motivated, withdrawn, introspective, confused, other)? Are you welcoming the experience, resisting it, or a little of each? What else about your feelings, mood or attitude is surfacing?
Body: What body parts are “speaking” to you? What are they saying? Are there parts that feel tense or loose? Tingling or pulsing? Warm or cool? Are you feeling still and calm in your body or fidgety and agitated? What’s your heart doing? What’s your breath doing?
Record: After each question, jot down a few notes about what shows up for you. This will lay the groundwork for acknowledging the areas of your life that you would like to work on as well as bringing awareness to the areas of your life where you feel deeply connected, strong and content.
Ready to give it go? Of course you are! Take it slow and enjoy…
What’s my purpose?
Who am I impacting?
What does my heart say about the life I’m living?
What are 5 things that make me happy?
Who are 5 people that I love spending with?
What do I fear most?
What holds me back?
What am I waiting for?
How can I better myself?
What’s my passion?
In what ways can I give more?
In what ways can I receive more (and from who)?
What are the possibilities for my life?
What am I creating?
Who’s life can I make better today?
What am I grateful for?
What qualities do I need to access inside myself so I can live in alignment with my authentic self?
What do I need to do or how do I need to be to fall in love with myself again and again?
Who do I need to forgive?
What’s my dream?
When is it that I smile the most (from the inside out)?
What do I want my life to look like 10 years from today?
What risks do I need to take to create what I want?
Am I honoring my body daily through care, attention and action?
What are 3 words that sum up how I feel about my life?
What is my definition of living a good life?
What’s my legacy?
What’s next?
Take Action: Now, choose three questions that felt particularly “alive” for you. Allow those questions to inform three concrete action steps for what you would like to do to move closer and closer toward designing the life of your dreams. Important Note: the more specific the actions (including deadlines and some way to keep yourself accountable), the better.
____________
Now what? Congratulate yourself! It takes courage to look at yourself from the inside out. It takes courage to commit to action. Excitement and fear (and a host of other feelings) often arise when we begin to create change. How will you use what you learned about yourself to continue to create your best life?
Let me know if there’s any way I can support you on your journey. In the meantime, enjoy creating!
