How to Love the Life You Already Have

Written by Ali Luke 
Categories: Self Improvement, Motivation, Life

You’ve probably heard the old saying “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

Perhaps you feel like it’s true. You look at other people’s lives, and you envy them. They seem to be doing so much better than you. They’ve got a great job. Lots of money. A happy home life.

They seem to have it all. And you can’t help wishing that you did, too.

But none of us ever really know what it’s like to live someone else’s life. Sure, your friends might be spending lots of money on dinners out, booze, fancy gadgets … but for all you know, they’re deep in debt, or working long hours in jobs they hate.

No-one’s life is perfect – whatever it looks like from the outside.

Plus, it’s a safe bet that some of your friends are looking at your life and thinking very similar things. Maybe they envy your dull but predictable job – you’re home on time every night. Maybe they see your great relationship with your spouse and kids – and they’d rather have that than any amount of money.

Whatever state your life is in, you’ve got a lot of good things. You just need to recognize them again.

  

Enjoy What You Have

One of the best ways to love your current life is to write a list of things you’re grateful for. It doesn’t matter if they seem small or insignificant: little everyday moments of happiness count.

You might think of:

·         People who you’re grateful for – your family, friends, housemates, co-workers…

·         Treats which you enjoy – the smell of fresh coffee, the taste of dark chocolate, a long bath after a hard day…

·         Things which make your day easier – the dishwasher, online grocery shopping, fast internet access at work…

·         Anything special which you’ve grown accustomed to – your wedding ring, your smartphone, a favorite coat…

·         Happy moments – chatting with a friend, something which made you laugh, playing with your kids…

I’ll bet you can easily come up with five things every single day that you’re grateful for. Your life is full of good things – you just sometimes need to work a bit to see them.

Focus on the Good Points

When we’re thinking about future goals and ambitions, it’s easy to end up in quite a negative mood about the present. Perhaps you start thinking through all the things you want to change in your life: losing weight, getting fit, quitting smoking, switching jobs…

As well as thinking of what you might want to change, look at the areas of your life which are currently good. Maybe:

·         You get on well with your colleagues at work, and you’ve got a good relationship with your boss

·         You’ve got some real strengths – like being able to establish a quick connection with clients, and being organised

·         Your house is set up pretty much how you want it – there might not be loads of space, but it feels like home

·         You’ve got some hobbies you really enjoy

…and so on. How could you make more of these good things? Perhaps you could spend more time on your hobbies, or concentrate on your particular strengths at work.

Live in the Moment

It’s appropriate to plan for the future, and to learn from the past – but it’s not a good idea to constantly have your mind on how “things will be better next year when…” or on “life was so much better last year because…”

Being able to live in the moment means appreciating what’s around you. It’s about having your attention on now, instead of reminiscing about what’s already gone, or worrying about what’s yet to come.

Living in the moment means:

·         Enjoying your days off, without constantly thinking about Monday morning.

·         Listening when someone’s talking to you, and being fully present in the conversation.

·         Taking time to stop and watch a beautiful sunset, or to enjoy the smell of fresh-mown grass.

·         Eating your meals more mindfully – instead of grabbing a sandwich on the run.

By keeping your attention on the present moment, the here-and-now, you can get much more enjoyment from the life you already have.

What are you grateful for, in your life? What’s already good? How can you appreciate all of it just a bit more?

(Courtsey: Pick The Brain Dot Com : D)

Reflection

 I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me. 
Anna Quindlen


How true it is to see for a person to look within, to retrospect himself/herself. Time and time upon when the soul is not at rest, a mere reflection of self is what it takes to re-affirm the belief within.

Came across such a wonderful theme of pics at Vandelay Design, portraying the inner self.

15 Cool Ways To Boost Your Creativity - II

Listen to Mozart

Albert Einstein said he owes his creativity to listening to Mozart pieces. Certain songs and compositions allow the brain to be more creative and function better.

Albert Einstein did not know why this was the case, but he found Mozart compositions to help his thinking.

In the present age the concept of music enhancing your thinking has been scientifically researched and proven. Certain frequencies have a positive effect on increasing your brain’s performance and creativity. Today they are known as Binaural Beats and Iso-chronic Tones.

Basically, scientists have engineered sound-files (I can’t really call them songs) with researched frequencies that have proven to increase brain performance. Simply buy purchasing some of these tracks and listening to them with stereo headphones, you can already notice an effect on your thinking and creativity.

Meditate

There are certain techniques that allow your mind to find peace and that allow you to silence all the hundreds of thoughts that constantly run through your mind all day.

When you achieve this inner calm, it has all sorts of benefits like being more creative and having better ideas.

Exercise

The effects of exercise and physical movement on the mind and creativity have been studied for centuries.

There is no doubt that you feel much better after exercise. This is because after you exercise, endorphins (feel-good hormones) are released into your bloodstream.

Ask For Help

Don’t be scared to ask someone for help or for their opinion. The input from a friend or stranger could be enough to jump-start a whole series of ideas and new creativity.

Expand Your Horizons

Do something you have never ever done before in your life. Go sky-diving or bungee-jumping. Sign up for classical dance or salsa classes.

The experience of it may be enough to boost your creativity tenfold and give you many new ideas.

Eat Blueberries
Blueberries are said to be the richest in anti-oxidants and good for your brain an thinking abilities. Eat a handful a day, and even if you don’t get extra creativity, enjoy the taste and the health benefits.

Stop Doing Drugs
I’m talking about sugars, processed foods, alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes.
(I shouldn’t have to tell you not to do hard drugs!)

Not only will your health benefit, but you will feel much more energetic. The chances are huge that you will find all sorts of new inspiration that comes with your new energy levels once you start eating healthy and stop consuming junk.

Do Puzzles

Puzzles stimulate your brain to look at a problem from different angles. The easier you are able to open up your mind to new ideas and new approaches, the more likely it will be that you become more creative.

Make Music

I personally like playing piano. It is relaxing and it allows to experiment with new tones, melodies and ideas. Often while playing an instrument and making music achievers get very creative ideas for their own projects.

If you’ve never played an instrument, why not start with something simple like piano, guitar or the drums?

Practice
Practice makes perfect. 
Yeah it’s cliché, but it’s true. Do you want to be a great writer? Then write every single day, even if it’s just about your dog. 
Do you want to,  be a good designer, or a singer or a professional? Then design something new every day, even if it’s just a logo for your favorite food, sing your heart out and Just BE.

 : D

 (Courtesy: Pick The Brain)