I have big ambitions and goals for my life. I want to live life to the fullest. I want to live a life that is a reflection of my inner truth. I know that I am not the only one who feels this way. Many of us want to feel like our life has purpose and impact. That we are doing exactly what we are destined to do on this planet. Oftentimes when we decide to commit to living our life that way, we have to take action. This might look like writing a book, spending time with family, losing weight, starting a business, and the list goes on. This is an ongoing process. In between the huge milestone we desire to manifest, are a ton of smaller milestones that we need to master. Sometimes that can make it really easy to get wrapped up in moving forward. Yet, we can get so focused on “what’s next” that we forget to enjoy right now. This is exactly what happened to me.
For the past 4 years, I have wanted to live a location independent lifestyle. I wanted to be able to work where I want and have flexibility with my schedule, all while making enough money to support my family. I also desired to have a schedule that allowed me to spend quality time with my family at home and on the road. It was a lot of work to find out how I could do this. Lot of failure and detours. Then, last year in 2017, I finally achieved that goal! But you know what? I barely noticed at first because I was ramping up for the next thing I wanted to do in my career and life. Cause I have big plans remember? I would be on trips with my family and find it hard to relax. I would multitask while spending time with my daughter and husband, searching for the next thing I had to do. I had literally created the flexibility and space that I wanted in my life, but couldn’t savor that moment because I was speeding full ahead towards my next goal.
With some accountability from a group of beautiful women, I learned about the idea of ritual and inspired routine. I learned about certain things that I could do each day to help me feel grounded me when life felt really busy. Things that I did each day to remind myself that there was so much to learn from the present moment. I learned that in the middle of striving and creating, there is always space to savor the present moment. It is not an either/or situation. This is both/and. I can notice and enjoy the beauty of my life while also moving towards my best life. I can enjoy the life that I am creating because life is constantly changing. We never fully arrive. This is the constant work that we do. This is how we dance with life, following the ebb and flow.
As a result of staying present, I began to shift my idea of what success looked like. While it was nice to have a certain amount of money in my bank account, it was equally nice to cuddle on the couch with my daughter and play in her hair. I had to gently remind myself that I was creating a certain kind of lifestyle so I could spend more time with my family without feeling rushed or stressed. That I desire freedom in my schedule so I could spend time writing or being out in nature. I had to come back to what I wanted and recalibrate when it was necessary.
We only have a finite amount of time each day. The years that we will live are limited. It is up to us to reflect on what we want our lives to look like. Even if it means slowing down. Even if it means redefining success on our own terms. Because living life fully means living life truthfully. Honest living is a life well lived.
Your life is beautiful. Pause and find the beautiful spaces that have always existed in your life. Maybe that beauty is in your child’s laughter or a hug from your partner or a delicious dish you just made. Make time to enjoy it. This kind of savoring fills your tank. It gives you energy. It recharges your spirit. In turn, that full tank allows you to keep moving towards your living your best life.
Allow your “right now” to fuel your “what’s next”. Develop rituals that allow you to embrace the present moment every single day. Most of all, remember the real reasons why you are wanting to change your life. Find your freedom in the present to create a glorious future.
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