I’m the one that’s got to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to ~ Jimi Hendrix
Think about your daily routines – matter of fact – write a short summary of your how your day usually unfolds. Where do you put the emphasis in your life?
Now, take a moment to breathe, relax and deepen into the essence of your true nature. Imagine you are living the last day of your life. Would that daily routine change?
Through this little exercise you may get a glimpse into what really matters to you and you might even reset some priorities in the process. In the difference between your living and dying lie the distractions and diversions that pull you away from what really, at a soul and ‘essence’ level is your life fully lived.
Let’s say your daily routine involves a mega serving of ‘busy’ work time. You are up early, at your desk before other co-workers and you often push through your days’ agenda until well after quitting time. You bring work home with you, quickly eat dinner, spend a short time with your family and are soon back engrossed in the work you brought home. You tell yourself that is what matters because it puts food on the table and provides for your family’s wellbeing.
Imagining your last day on earth may bring up a completely different set of behaviors that might feel like a huge exhale and could include sharing moments with your loved ones, walking in nature, and being surrounded by those who have given meaning and support to you throughout your life. Maybe you get to acknowledge your appreciation for them, feel the sun warm your face, embrace your spouse, hug your loved ones and, best of all, you get to ‘exhale’ and let go of the crazy pace and frenzy that has defined the majority of your existence. Definitely food for thought, when you consider the stark difference in the feel of your life and your dying, right?
So – How might you bridge the gap between the life you live now and the life that your authentic heart self would have you live?
Try this ->
First – Take a deep, full, conscious inhale. Then exhale and let your breath carry away all the doubts, fears and worries that keep you trapped in a life where you don’t really want to be. Repeat a few times and notice how you relax your body and mind.
Second – Identify what you are most passionate about and what/who is most meaningful to you in your life. Answer these questions to help you paint your picture:
- If you could do/be anything you absolutely wanted with no restriction, what would you do/be?
- What joyful activities from your childhood have you left behind?
- What do you find so completely absorbing that when you are doing it, you lose track of time?
- What are you willing to work long and hard at in order to achieve your goal?
- What do you just ‘know’ you are good at that brings you a deep sense of fulfillment when you are doing it?
- If you were writing your obituary what would you say about your life beliefs, experiences and values? How can you live those characteristics now?
- What are you committed to that is bigger than you? What gets you off the couch and passionately engaged in life?
Third – Take action by doing the things that are most important to you. Let go of what clutters your focus. Slowly and intentionally, begin to focus on what brings a sense of vitality to your life.
Fourth – Step away from the fear of failure because it gets in the way of your growth, joy and sense of truly living what matters.
As you begin to live your life in integrity with what and who authentically matters to you, what do you need to let go of and what do you need to embrace to fully live?
It is important for people to be able to understand and process death because it is an integral part of life that invites us to live life to the fullest every day ~ John Stamoulos
