Hello and welcome to Friday, November 26, 2021. This is an important day in your life.
If Ralph Edwards, the host the old radio and television show, arrived at your door and said, “This is your life,” who/what would you expect to see?
If you’re anything like me, you would likely expect to be reacquainted with influential people and be reminded of significant events. I’m thinking about my inspiring sixth grade teacher, Mr. Rogers, all the time I spent skiing, my nursing career, receiving the diplomas and certifications I earned, getting married, getting divorced, my kids, a couple sweet vacations, my dearest partner, and finding sobriety.
Meaningful people and events are certainly an important part of who we are. We don’t want to minimize our intimate relationships, memorable sunsets, or trips to Spain. If done with intention, these people and events create meaning and purpose. However, if we think about our life a bit deeper, we find that as significant as these people and events are, they make up only a small fraction of our life.
If we think critically, we’ll see that we spend an extraordinary amount of time getting dressed, doing dishes, washing and folding clothes, cleaning, getting the mail, going shopping, eating, having casual conversations, paying bills, commuting, standing in lines, drinking coffee, watching TV, listening to music, reading books, and walking into rooms trying to figure out why we went in there in the first place. These seemingly insignificant events constitute the majority of our life. This is your life. How are we showing up to these events?
I like to think that I’ve showed up to at least a few of the important events in my life with keen awareness and intention. I have, without a doubt, engaged with people and activities with sincere interest and excitement. Nevertheless, if I’m truly honest with myself, because the majority of my life is primarily made up of these everyday to-do lists, tasks, and chores, well, I’m forced to admit that I haven’t shown up to “my whole life” with much enthusiasm.
Life is happing now. If we put positive energy into and concern ourselves only with milestone events, then we miss out on so much of our life. I believe this is why so many, like myself, have felt or do feel a general dissatisfaction towards living. There is so much of our life that we don’t engage in with excitement and passion. We don’t have to live this way. We can generate meaning and purpose in our life if we bring more attention and intention into each moment. Imagine how we would feel about our life if we did the dishes, laundry, made the bed, and ate our meals with the same level of awareness that we bring to an astonishing sunset.
Though there are important and significant events in our life, everything we do is important as it all adds to the purpose and meaning of our whole life. Your life is important and significant. You are important and significant. This is your life! How do you want to live it?
As always, I’m here to help.
You are Loved by me, Unconditionally!
Dan
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