YOUR LIFE A-Z: JOIN

JOINING EACH OTHER ENHANCES OUR VITALITY

JOIN

Join something! Quit sitting on the sidelines of life and get out and JOIN something.  Preferably JOIN something you are passionate about,  but if passion is lacking JOIN a group to learn something new or to stretch you outside of your comfort zone.  Belonging to a community is a great mental health booster and very necessary for a well-rounded life.  JOINING a cause, a group, a class, or even a gym gives you a sense of purpose and you need to experience a sense of purpose to feel good about who you are.  If you are reading this and are totally lost as to what or how to JOIN something new, go to www.meetup.com and enter your zip code.  You will be surprised how many activities of a variety of areas are out there just waiting for you to JOIN.  (Disclaimer: There are always scenarios that one can find that are not healthy or good for you, but for the most part if you are not looking for deviance, you won’t find it on meetup.com) Meetup.com can help you find book clubs, hiking groups, four-wheeling, and cooking groups or anything else that interest you.  The point is for you to stop being a “lurker” in your own life and be a participant.  Get out and JOIN something new to alleviate the rut you have dug yourself into.  If after three or four times in your newly JOINED group, it is not working for you.  Stop and JOIN something different.  The old adage of try and try again is true on this important word, JOIN. 

YOUR LIFE A-Z:FOCUS

By Training Your FOCUS, Can You See the Elephant Napping in the Grass?

FOCUS

What does that word FOCUS really mean to you?  THE TWENTY MINUTE COACH wants you to learn to bring into FOCUS the life you want.  Sometimes it is helpful to create a vision board to help you FOCUS.  Separate your life into eight distinctive threads and name it, “My Life’s Tapestry of Eight.”  Here are the eight threads: self, health, relationship (family), career (vocation), financial health, social system, spiritual health, and recreation (hobby).  Each of these threads deserves FOCUSED attention in order to achieve a balanced and happy life.  If you don’t FOCUS on self then the rest of your FOCUSED tapestry is going to be out of sync.  FOCUS on self requires an examination of what is that I like about my life, my values, and my life’s direction?    Next is your health.  If you don’t have your health then you have nothing.  FOCUS on your health in ways that will optimize it.  How is your relationship working for you?  How many diverse threads do your relationships extend toward such as partner, children, and family of origin etc.? Continue to FOCUS on the other five threads until you have written below each of the eight separate threads.  Once you have a map of words choose eight different pictures from magazines that represent the tapestry thread and place with glue on a poster board.  Make sure that when you look at the vision board that it makes you smile and shout out a big yes inside of yourself. FOCUS on the board everyday and watch as your positive energy begins to shape-shift your life into a FOCUSED adventure.  

YOUR LIFE A-Z: AIM

SEE MORE BRILLIANTLY BY AIMING YOUR GAZE

AIM

AIM for what you want.  Do not allow yourself a shotgun approach to life where you splatter your daily life in all directions, AIM your life in the direction you want it to go.  Set your target and focus on your intention.  What are you hunting for in your life?  What sends you out early to search for a specific target and hunt for a specific goal?  What is your desired outcome and how will that desired outcome help you live your life in a meaningful way. You do not have to AIM high, but be sure to AIM direct, focusing your eye on your goal.  Once you AIM then it is helpful to stay focused and not let distraction get in the way of your AIM.  Remember shooters go to shooting practice to keep their AIM on target.  A game of darts will teach you that AIM is so important.  AIM for your hearts desire and polish, clean, and practice that AIM on a daily basis. 

Think about how you AIM your eyes to see the colors on a small hummingbird.  I suspect you squint because squinting blocks out the peripheral landscape, allowing the eye to AIM right on the beautiful hummingbird.  To AIM for what you want will allow you to see more beautiful and exquisite colors in the world around you.  To AIM for what you want you bet closer to the bulls eye than just picking up the dart and throwing it recklessly at the dart board.  AIM for your dreams.

YOUR LIFE A-Z : STRENGTH

BE STRONG ENOUGH TO GET WHAT YOU WANT

 STRENGTH

There are many definitions of the word strength.  When you first saw the word this morning what images came up in your mind?  For me, strength needs to take a positive connotation. Unfortunately, the first word that comes with strength is Core Strength.  I judge myself harshly for not having core strength and not enjoying any of the exercises one must do to obtain core strength.  Thus I set up a self-defeating pattern and usually stay stuck.  In order to have core strength one must work at it. Core strength provides us with stability, flexibility, and balance.  The core is so important to our ability to stay active and mobile as we age.  Core provides us with grace of movement.  It gives us the ability to move with intensity.  Intensity creates space and energy allowing us to accomplish goals, projects, and dreams.  Having our core strength in shape helps usmaintain good health, good posture, and an agility to accomplish things we once thought impossible.  Thus, the theme of nurturance, mindfulness, possibilities, are helpful in working at something that will bring good to our lives even though we are not crazy to go after it with Zest.  What are you willing to do to strengthen those areas of your life that will bring you positive outcomes even though they are not pleasant or exciting to do?  I am willing to lift upper body weights three times a week and I enjoy planking.  So I do that, nothing more, nothing less.  When I hear my critic on my back, I say,  “I have done my commitment to myself.”  Make small goals so that you can succeed.  

Your Life A-Z MONEY

MONEY

No better time than today to get your financial self in order for the New Year!  Do you have a budget?  If not, stop right now and make a quick list of your monthly expenses.  Include everything from mortgage to groceries and, yes, make sure you do not cheat.  Put those Starbuck coffees in your budget.  You will be shocked how much of your hard earned money goes into their pretty packaging. That is not a criticism!  I think we should treat ourselves, even daily, if we want good quality things that make us feel good and smile.  It is important though when it comes to money that we learn to honor it and trust it.  We need to know where our hard-earned money is going and only then can we make a choice about how we spend it.  Starbucks is a choice.  If you find yourself broke at the end of the month, then it is important to make different choices so that you feel good about how you are choosing to invest your money.  If you don't know where it is going, then you are operating from a place of deprivation and sabotaging your feel good feelings at the end of the month.  Don't be afraid of your money.  Develop a healthy relationship with it and make it work for you - not against you.