HJ: There are 7 core areas of your life that contribute to and ultimately determine your level of happiness and fulfillment. When you begin to gain mastery, or rather, you begin to harmonize and balance them, your life begins to get better and rapidly at that. Most people believe if they just had enough money everything would work itself out, but that is not the case. Money can be helpful, but money cannot buy you a spiritual connection, money cannot change your attitudes and beliefs. Money can facilitate a journey towards health, but it in and of itself cannot buy you health.
And that’s a big part of the beauty of these 7 keys — money is not required. It is more about your relationship with yourself and you willingness and ability to look within and heal those parts of yourself that need it. And doing so will provide you with the richest rewards and splendors — a deeply fulfilling life that you wake up everyday loving wholeheartedly.
– Truth
The Seven Keys to Creating Your Best Year (and Life)
Creating a deepy fulfilling life is easier than you think
By Susan Biali, M.D. | Psychology Today
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A New Year is a perfect opportunity to think about how to make your life an authentic reflection of who you really are and who you want to become. Make this a year in which you’ll live as you’ve always longed to, in as many areas of your life as possible: health, relationships, career, passions and purpose. It’s a perfect time to clear the slate and let yourself see your vision of your ideal, most satisfying life, not someone else’s idea of what’s ‘best’ for you.Forget those traditional resolutions that fizzle after a week or two. Don’t just run out and get a gym membership without looking at the reasons why, so far, you haven’t been able to make that change you dream of, or haven’t been able to become that you that you dream of. If you’re not passionate about the gym, or your reasons for being there, the changes won’t stick and you’ll end up feeling worse about yourself.
When I coach people, whether they want to work on health, relationships, career, energy level, balance, mood, or living their dreams, I always start by looking at the overall picture of their life. If your relationships are troubled, this affects your health, career, mood and attitude towards what’s possible for you. If you hate your work, you might be feeling burnt out and depressed, you likely have health problems related to your work, or you could be uncharacteristically grumpy when you get home to your significant other. Every area of life really does tend to affect everything else, so if you want to dramatically improve the quality of your life, even in just one area, I recommend that you look at it, and your goals, through these seven essential areas:
o Nutrition: We all know what we’re supposed to be eating. Look behaviorally at how you eat. Do you skip meals when you’re working? Do you eat compulsively in response to uncomfortable emotions or situations? Do you eat because you’re bored? Or do you have unbalanced meals or cereal for dinner because you’re lazy? (I’ve done all of these!)
What would eating right look like for you? What small change can you make in that direction?
o Body: Get enough rest, and get moving. How do you treat your body, usually? Be kind to your body, honor it, and don’t abuse it. Listen to it when it wants to rest; take time for it when it gets sick. Resolve to honor your body this year.
What would honoring your body mean to you, this year? What small change can you make in that direction?
o Your Life’s Design: How much of the balance of your current life is authentically you, versus conforming to the demands of others or society? How does your life feel to you? What would you like more of, what would you like less of? What makes you cry? What are your dreams? What are your passions?
What would the ideal life balance look like for you? What small step can you take in that direction?
o Work: How do you feel about your work? Is it line with your values and dreams? Whose idea was it? Do you clock watch? How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?
What would your ideal work situation look like? What step can you take now, in that direction?
o Relationships: Do the people around you bring you up or down? Based on the people around you, who are you becoming? What important relationships are you neglecting? What are your goals and dreams as a family?
What kinds of relationships would you like to have, and which ones that you have now should you make more of a priority? What can you do, starting now, to move your life in this direction?
o Attitudes & Beliefs: How do you feel about life? What do you believe about yourself? If you encounter a setback, how do you handle it? What does it feel like to be you, inside your head?
What would be the most beneficial attitude or belief change for you, right now? This may seem a tough question, but listen to your instincts…you probably already know. Start thinking the way you want to think (positive, optimistic, kind, forgiving, etc.) right now and work at being that way, every day.
o God /Spirituality: How do you see the spiritual aspect of your life? Spiritual practice has known health benefits. Spend time in nature. Pray, if you believe that it works (I sure do!). Do you have spiritual principles for interacting with people? For example, don’t allow yourself to be offended by what others say or do – for me, this is a spiritual practice. As is loving your neighbor as you would treat yourself, and loving the people who are hardest to love.
What thoughts, practices or actions would move your life in a spiritually more fulfilling direction? Start incorporating these aspects into your life, today. You don’t have to, every day, but over time you may find that the days that you start out on solid spiritual ground turn out to be your best.
So often we go through life on automatic pilot, doing the same things, making the same mistakes, hanging out with the same people, going through the same routine…and wonder why we’re still not happy, or don’t seem to be getting any closer to our goals and dreams. Praying helps, writing out goals helps, envisioning a better future helps…but what really make it reality are the steady, loving, committed actions you take to improve your own life.
When I get discouraged, I remember a Mexican saying about ants. Ants are so tiny, but they never stop or give up. Millimetre by millimeter, hour by hour, day by day, they make it happen – they just keep going, step by teeny step. Seemingly out of nowhere, as they steadily go back and forth, that big ant hill takes form. And you can build your beautiful, custom-designed mountain, too – it happens day by day. One small effort stacks on top of another, and then another, and then another. One day, you wake up, and you’re at the top! And oh what a beautiful view.
If you liked these Seven Keys, you can take these reflections to the next level in your life by reading my book, “Live a Life You Love: 7 Steps to a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate You” – it comes with a free downloadable 54 page workbook that will coach you through making personalized changes for each step. I think you’ll find it a great tool to get your New Year (perhaps even a new life?) off to a strong start.
Have a great year!
To order Live A Life You Love on Amazon, click here My websites: www.SusanBiali.com; www.LiveALifeYouLoveBook.com
