HOW DO WE FIND OUR PURPOSE IN LIFE?

 HOW DO WE FIND OUR PURPOSE IN LIFE?

If we look back on our adult experiences and think about them, the steps and events lead us along the path to our future. If not for those experiences, we may never be able to identify or rule out what it is that brings us passion in our lives. It can be a bit overwhelming to look back and see exactly how events and circumstances connect to each other long before we see that the "dots can be connected. Actually, it can help us see some of our future.

Each one of us can choose to see the purpose of where we stand today and whether or not we have made progress or if we are stuck in neutral. If we are totally honest with ourselves, we have all been in both places.

None of us have a life's purpose that is a non-stop arrival. It takes a lot of working out which paths to take on our journey. There are endless possibilities that lead us to our lifes stories.

Basically, it comes down to trusting the process. If we are doing something - anything at all - we need to trust that we are headed in the right direction and it is for a reason. We are creating meaning in our lives. Sometimes it may turn out to not be the right way in the long run but we will never know if we don't take those steps and trust ourselves. Experiences we have don't just evaporate into thin air. Sometimes they circle back to us or add useful information that helps to take us toward a new direction that we never would have thought of before. I know that no matter where we find ourselves today, tomorrow will be different. That is one way that life is predictable. Nothing is permanent.

When we make a mind-set shift, questions will follow that help to guide us and this will let us know if this is time wasted or time well spent.

Take comfort in knowing that none of us "have arrived." In other words we all are just figuring it out as we go. The good news is that we can live more intentionally along the way if we remember that each experience starts to feel meaningful. So my advice to myself that I am sharing is not to reserve these experiences for the future and that someday or one day there will be purpose. That purpose is right now and to be built upon - one step at a time.

WHY WE FIND THE WATER PEACEFUL

 WHY WE FIND THE WATER PEACEFUL

Being on, in, or near water has a stress-relieving and creativity-boosting impact on the brain. Research actually studied this. There is a concept called the 'Blue Mind' that originated with a marine biologist, Wallace J. Nichols, who is remembered for his work in science and conservation. He wrote a book called Blue Mind where he described the phenomenon as a 'mildly meditative' state that's inspired by water and "takes advantage of the neurological connections formed over millennia" that are still being discovered via newer technology such as the EEG and MRI.

Readers sent photos of oceans, lakes, rivers, and even pools to say that their favorite body of water "soothes their souls, brings peace, is their happy place, and seems to align their internal rhythm to the universe." That is pretty powerful stuff in my opinion. I know that the beach is my happy place and that is what I have always called it. The sounds, the smells...there is nothing else quite like it.

On that note though, I can also say that where I live is land-locked and not around the ocean. However, I am blessed enough to have a pool and I can say that in weather where it is feasible I am so happy out around the pool. When the weather is not cooperative, it also works just to look out over the pool from inside. I stopped having the pool covered in the wintertime because it is so tranquil just to look at (even when there may be snow around it). With fans or heaters on in what we call our 'inside-out room' (screened-in patio) it can put me in my happy place. I adore sitting out with my coffee or tea and a good book. 

Even our goldendoodle, Davis found the pool relaxing.

There are endless examples of art that water inspired from poetry, novels, music, and paintings. Less than two minutes of looking at water outdoors is enough to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and actually lower your blood pressure. This is based on recent research according to Adam Grant. One possible explanation: "Since being attuned to visual cues for water helped our ancestors avoid dehydration, the mere sight of water can be a relief."

Even views of water through windows and artwork apparently help patients recover faster. In surveys, people recuperating from heart surgery who viewed an open-water scene had lower anxiety levels and needed less pain medication than those who looked at an abstract design, a blank white panel, or even a forest scene.

There is actually a 'thing' called Float Therapy.  I would gladly sign up for that. I know that when I am in my pool on a float it is simply heavenly. 

Water affects all of our senses. Simply amazing 💧💦

A quote by Bruce Lee puts another aspect on water:

"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves."

When we empty our minds, we become formless. Shapeless, like water. If we put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. If we put water into a bottle, or teapot then it takes that shape. Water can flow or it can crash. If we choose to flow...we have smoother sailing.

PEACEFUL

LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT

 LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Starting the New Year can be exciting to some and daunting to others. I like to look at it as 365 blank pages so how do I want to fill those pages. Some people make resolutions, and if that works for you, just go for it. Why change if it works? 

For me - meh - there was no way I was ever following through. After some reading other ideas such as setting intentions that align with your purpose or choosing one word that covers a whole range of what you would like to accomplish - I decided on one.

Each year I begin with my word for the year and I work on making it fit into my life in all sorts of positive ways. Some examples are 2023 my word was HOPE and 2024 my word was IMAGINE. 

For a little background information, 2023 was beginning my New Year without my soulmate. I lost him in October of 2022. So the word HOPE was a way that I was telling myself that I had to have HOPE to make it through the year in a totally different way than ever before. It was not an easy task. It was something that I truly had to work on in my mind. Perhaps I should have gone to grief therapy? Right or wrong, I muddled through with the help of my family and close friends.

In 2024 my word was IMAGINE. I wanted to imagine my new kind of life as an adventure to reinvent myself. I worked on my writing more, creating art, and most importantly, my health. I managed to put on weight through stress eating and I had quite a bit to lose. I had to work on telling myself the truth about what I wanted, not what I should be doing. Learning to say no to what didn't feel good anymore is never easy. But it meant for me to show up for myself by looking into my future. How that would happen will follow. And sure enough - it did.

I worked on ME. With help, I managed to shed 100 lbs in 11 months. Most people (at least this is what they said to me) could not believe that I had 100 extra pounds on my body. Oh yes! I knew that I did. The scales knew that I did. My clothes knew that I did. Positive talk to myself is what I used to kick out any negative vibes trying to get inside of my brain.

Self-care is not selfish--it is essential. Each day I must remind myself to slow down and be present in order to recharge. The best version of everyone is their authentic self. Slowly, I was finding my authentic self and giving myself the freedom to do so without guilt. All of us have unique gifts and the New Year does not necessarily mean the New You. It means finding yourself...the one who has always been there.

Taking small steps to turn my passion into action started slowly but as I gained confidence, it was second nature to me. It really is about living inspired and trusting your journey.

"Stuff" doesn't just happen. You need to take charge and stop listening to your brain because brains do not like change. Why? Fear! It is a matter of following this mantra:

Your life is all about YOU!