The meaning and purpose of life is for you to be the best YOU!
Who doesn’t want that!? I was listening to a CD I had by Matthew Kelly on Becoming the Best Version of Yourself and I really enjoyed what he had to say. Below are some tips from Mr. Kelly and others I have learned from various books, podcasts and speakers on how to be the best you!
I do agree with Mr. Kelly when he talks about how we all long to be happy, a desire we all have, and how we know what makes us happy, we just don’t do it. Why not? We’re too busy, are at least that’s the excuse we tell ourselves. If you’re not sure what makes you happy, maybe this can help. There are four areas to every human:
1. Emotional
2. Intellectual
3. Physical
4. Spiritual
Emotional: Healthy relationships. When we are around positive, kind, loving, and caring people that love and accept us as we are, we always feel better. People that lift us up with their words. Happier people are rich in relationships. They make their relationships a priority. “They spend carefree timeless with those close to them”, says Kelly. Hang around people that make you a better you. That doesn’t mean they agree with you all of the time. They challenge you to see yourself as you really are and ask the hard questions that make you stretch and grow. Look at your spouse, friends, family, etc. When you are around them do they make you a better you? If not, maybe it’s time to rethink who you’re hanging around.
Goal: Once a month spend carefree timelessness with the most important person in your life.
Intellectual: Books. Books change our lives. Read books that change and grow you. Read books that make you a better you. What we read today walks and talks with us tomorrow. Music. Listen to music that inspires you to be the best you. Movies. Watch movies that make you a better person just by watching it. “We become the stories we listen to”, says Kelly (through books, music, movies, etc.).
Goal: Read a book for 10 minutes a day that will inspire and grow you.
Physical: We all know we feel better after we exercise. We might not like it while we are doing it, but that night or next day we always feel better. Our bodies feel better for moving, our minds are clearer, we release stress and have a sense of accomplishment. We also know that it gives us energy. And tell me, who doesn’t want – more energy? I believe this is desired by most – more energy! It doesn’t matter what you do, just get up and move. Go for more walks. Take a fitness class. Sign up for martial arts. Tennis lessons. Dance lessons. Get on that treadmill you have in your basement. Walk your stairs. Do push-ups. Do a FREE video on YouTube, (here’s one of mine). You don’t need a big gym membership or fancy equipment, you just need to move, it’s that simple. Just do it (as nike would say).
Goal: Exercise a minimum of 3 times a week.
Spiritual: Quiet time. Time to reconnect with yourself. Time to reconnect with God. Prayer. Mindfulness. Reflection. Journal. Breathing. Clearing our minds and being present seems to be one of the most challenging things for someone to do in todays world. Sad, huh?
Goal: Start your day by being still, quiet, and focus on your breathing for a minimum of 2 minutes. Slowly inhale and exhale through your nose with your mouth closed. As you breath, give thanks for the simple things in your life.
Our lives change when our habits change. We all have habits, we just need to change the bad habits into good habits.
I am a firm believer that if you incorporate the 4 goals above you will be happier, have more energy, and feel better about being you!
“Every journey towards something is a journey away from something“, says Kelly. Where is your journey taking you?
Here’s to you being a better version of yourself this year!
Shine Brightly,
Ali
