The Essence of Life

So often, we get wrapped up in the parts of life….work, school, relationships, etc. and we miss the big picture. At times, we become so consumed with what is going wrong in one area of our life that it makes us feel as if our whole life is going wrong. However, understanding the big picture can actually make it easier to deal with the challenges of life that we face on a daily basis.

So what is the big picture? How can we make ourselves feel different about life? Two things that can help us remember the big picture are these:

1.) You will die one day. This may sound shocking or morbid, but it is a necessary truth. We, as human beings, are only physically here for a short amount of time. Life doesn’t just keep going and going, it ends…Knowing this can actually be motivation for living our lives with more fullness and mindfulness each day.

To better grasp this, ask yourself the following:

• If your life were to end tomorrow, what would you regret not doing?
• If you knew exactly when you were going to die, what would you be doing differently?
• If you were able to live all over again, what would you want your life to be like?

Asking ourselves these questions can help us become more aware of our true life desires and goals. Often times we put our “dreams” or desires on hold, because we have the illusion that we have plenty of time. Knowing that our time is limited can help re-direct us to living more fulfilling lives.

2.) You can do anything that you want to do. Almost everything that we think we “should do” or “have to do” is socially constructed. At some point in our lives, someone told us -either directly or indirectly- how we are supposed to live (i.e get a good job, get married, work until you’re old, etc). In other words, many of our expectations are shaped by someone else’s idea of what we should do. However, the only person that truly knows what’s best for our lives is ourselves. Just because we are taught to believe certain things about life, does not mean that they are the ultimate truth. In reality, we really don’t have to do anything. We choose what we do. We are living, breathing, human beings with the ability to choose each and every action. When we realize that we ultimately have the power to shape our lives, it becomes easier to do just that.

Today is the day to live. We should not post-pone living the life we want until  years from now or even days from now….today is the day to start really living. Because we are unsure of how much time we have on this earth, we must honor every minute of it. You can start today….sit in the quiet for a few minutes and just focus on being. Feel yourself being alive. Set aside your worries and fears, and just be.  It is here that we realize the endless possibilities that life offers and how small our everyday worries truly are. When we realize that life is literally what we make it, then we can really start creating the lives that we have always wanted. Finally, we can feel ourselves being alive and truly living guided by our own spirit.

This is the Essence of Life.

For more information or questions, contact lhlifehealing@gmail.com or visit www.lionheartlifehealing.com