Life Goals are Overrated

Forget your goals in life.  What is the best thing for you to do today?  It could be writing a blog, or just getting out of bed to go to work.  It could be setting aside a little time to spend with your spouse, or it could be taking the dog for a walk.  It could be learning to play the guitar, or it could be giving yourself a brain break and playing Guitar Hero for a couple hours.

I have struggled with goals lately because I've been feeling like I've achieved all of the really important ones.  Okay...there's one left but it's pretty close to happening, so it's at the 90% mark and I'm not stressing over it anymore.

I'm not stressing over it.  That may be the first time I've thought of my future in that phrasing.  In fact, it's a little scary to feel content with life as it is.  Is my life perfect?  Nope.  Am I in the middle of a big argument with my husband that we're still working through?  Yup.  Am I confident we'll come to a peaceful resolution?  Eventually.

There simply isn't anything in my life to be freaking out over right now.

I'm in a lull.  You know those moments you usually don't recognize until the next storm hits and you go, "Why is everything bad happening at once?!"  This is that moment.

So rather than searching for a new goal to freak out about, I'm going to take today and use it for today.  Sure, I'll get my gym time in, and I'll probably waste some hours this evening.  But those things are okay.  Because right now I'm recognizing that things are good and making the conscious decision to enjoy them for a little while.

Practicing Gratitude

Start with one week.  Every morning when you wake up, think of three things for which you are grateful.

Bonus points: Select a new category each morning, ie. People, life experiences, possessions, physical characteristics of your body, holidays, teachers (school or life), etc.

As you go through the day, try to recognize each item you use and how much easier it makes your life.

Practice turning around frustrations:

• If you are frustrated that the traffic is going too slow, remind yourself to be grateful that you have a car, and don’t have to use public transportation.

• If you are annoyed by something not working how you want it to, remind yourself to be grateful that you have other options.

• If you are angry about someone else’s brash comments, remind yourself to be grateful for the value that person provides to your life.

• Even if you cannot think of something positive in a situation, you can always stop, take a deep breath, and be grateful that you are able to breathe and that your heart is still beating.

How We Should Live

Disclaimer: These are things I really like.  I think they are a better alternative to what they would replace.  I do not have science to back this up, just lots of stuff I’ve read and, in some cases, rubbed between my fingers.

We should live...

• On radiant heated floors – If you struggle with allergies, like Cat Girl, radiant heat is a super preventative way to avoid airborne allergens.  It also doesn’t dry out the air like forced air systems do.  Hurrah!  Did we mention no more cold-floor-on-feet?

• As minimalists – Less consumption, less distraction, more time for what matters.

• Debt-free – Having control over your money instead of pre-promising it to people who are not your friends is way more fun.  Trust me.

• On solar power – No pollution-producing power FTW.  Also, less noise pollution.  Boom.

• Clothed in bamboo – It’s super soft, it doesn’t require loads of pesticides, it requires less water than cotton, and is naturally antimicrobial, meaning you can wash it less and it will not stink.  Did I mention it’s super soft?

• Eating organic food – Sure, lots of people disagree with me on this one.  So maybe we should say some kinds of organic food.  But I certainly prefer the idea of not eating loads of chemicals in my veg.  Maybe it’s just me.

• With Kindness – The world lives by a “you show me yours and I’ll show you mine” philosophy on kindness.  Be the first one to smile.

• Generously – If you have surplus and see someone in need, pay it forward.

• Small, Slowly, Mindfully –Different words for the same concept.  When you don’t take things for granted, they always seem better.