My husband and I were riding in the car talking about why making a change is sometimes so difficult, especially if we have been working on making a shift and it hasn’t happened the way we think it should have. And how easy it is to move into thinking how it can’t happen because it didn’t happen before. Sound familiar? I started to say something launching into my favorite subject faith, trust, and Quantum Physics and my husband said I was obsessed. . . How could he say that? Then, I stopped for a moment and thought he was so right. (One of those times our partners or children have us pegged.) But then I realized, I can think of worse things. At least I’m not obsessed with overeating or overdrinking. I’m not obsessed with jumping out of airplanes or collecting hundreds of tiny objects for display (not that there’s anything wrong with either of these passions, they are just not for me!) I am obsessed with faith, trust, and dwelling on what I can do in my unique way to transform my own life and the life of others to be healthier, happier and more meaningful. I am obsessed with taking time to be still or to take walks so I can “hear” my intuitive voice and be open to inspired actions to move toward my goals. I am fascinated and “obsessed” with Positive Psychology and the research on how gratitude increases your physical health and productivity and how using your strengths and just being your best self makes life easier.
I am passionate and obsessed with sharing that with you.
So having said that, it makes it easy for me to share with you my latest find. A new book called Creating your Best Life; The Ultimate Life List Guide by Caroline Adams Miller, MAPP and Dr. Michael B. Frisch. I’ll tell you the truth, I haven’t finished reading it but I liked it so much I couldn’t wait to share it with you. Caroline is a Positive Psychology graduate and Dr. Frisch is the creator of “Life Lists”. Dr. Frisch wrote a paper he delivered at an Oxford conference that points to having meaning in life comes form achieving goals in 16 key areas; this was the beginning of his Quality Life Therapy. The program is based on his 20 years of research as a professor, positive psychology coach, and clinical psychologist. Frisch found life improves when you accomplish goals in the areas of “love, work and spiritual pursuits”. In this book not only do these authors talk about creating a Life List, but how to take this “list” into action and to break down the patterns that keep us from achieving them. They have great research to back up why and what they are saying really works.
On my inspiration board, (although it is a board it has a circle and a tetrahedron, and in the center the radiating petals of a lily – for the meaning of the lily, visit janetconner.wordpress.com) some of my ultimate Life List intentions are displayed. Displaying your Life Lists in writing or visually is a part of the “Life List process” (and that of many processes). Now, I know it’s easy to put off doing a Life List with the practical things in your life that crowd out the other seemingly less “important” things, but I strongly encourage you to do it anyway. Don’t wait until you have time or until kids are older or until . . . You never know when there may not be time, for whatever reason. Start making your “Life List” now. You’ll find you feel better, you have more energy, and life won’t feel so overwhelming. It’s an easy way to create more balance and release stress and change your focus. The byproducts of doing this are better health, peace of mind, the connection back to yourself and, of course, in the end you are happier and carry with you a pretty unshakeable sense of wellbeing.
Life Lists
I know my daughter would think my list is quite tame since she actually does jump out of airplanes and walk hand-in-hand with sloths in Costa Rica for fun (or ride with two bikes). But that’s what makes your Life List so empowering, uplifting and gives meaning to your life — because it’s yours!!! So I wanted to share a few of the items on my Life List so I could put them out there and declare them. So here it goes: I want to walk the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France with my husband, go to Machu Picchu with one of my best friends, travel to Egypt with our friend whose husband is Egyptian, travel to Germany and Italy with another one of our friends and kids, go on a Mediterranean cruise, and finish writing and publish adult and children’s fairytales to leave a legacy for my children’s future grandchildren. I want to leave this legacy to help make the planet a better place with each child (and adult) feeling empowered and happy being their unique selves and sharing that in the world.
What are some items on your Life List and what are your positive obsessions? Post and let us know.
Here’s to living your Life’s List,
Bonnie
P.S. If you need some inspiration to get started, watch Randy Pauch’s Last Lecture (The Last Lecture book also available) or rent the movies “The Bucket List” or “Last Holiday.”
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