INSIGHT
“when things get tough, the tough get going”
Are you making the most of your life ? When things are hard, we often get caught up in the ‘can’t do’s’ and forget to look for the ‘can do’s’ in our lives. The last few years have been very focused on the material, our houses, cars, clothes and possessions. It amazes me when I look back to think of how much money I have spent on the irrelevant over the years. Taking money out of the equation can be refreshing. Instead of focusing on the lack in our lives, I have been concentrating on areas where we might take positive action. That won’t cost money and will provide huge rewards in terms of our own personal growth :
Feed Your Body – do you eat well, manage your stress levels, exercise regularly and sleep enough ?
Fill Your Heart – do you make an effort to increase your social circle? Are you a good friend? Do you make time for your important relationships?
Expand Your Mind – are you doing your best? Are you learning new things? Do you read? Do you have hobbies?
Strengthen your Soul – do you give to others in some way ? Do you walk in nature or by the sea ? Do you gain inspiration by reading, writing or being creative ? Do you willingly spend time alone ? Do you pray or meditate ?
Its easy to forget that all of these areas are available to us to work on all of the time and at no financial cost . When I look at children, I see them changing and developing everyday. Yet as adults it’s as if we flick off the switch when we get to a certain point and then wonder why we feel so unfulfilled ! As human beings we require water, food, sleep. However, in order to find peace in our lives we must also take the time to nurture the less demanding parts of ourselves. By ensuring that our other needs are met we can begin to re-connect with our true selves. The greatest contribution we can make as human beings is to learn and accept who we are as individuals. The aim is not to judge or criticize ourselves but purely to notice how we are and to begin to be our own friend. Personal development is not a selfish journey, it is a journey for the greater good. Through working on ourselves, we continue to grow, as parents, as a wife or husband and as a friend. So if we find ourselves with less cash for spending , maybe there are hidden benefits !
TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK
1) Sit quietly with a pen and paper and look at your life in relation to the four above areas.
2) Pick the area that you feel you would most like to work on.
3) Pick one element within that, for example if you pick Heart , choose one thing such as, improving a significant relationship or increasing your social circle.
Published in the West Cork People June 2009
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