Struggle is where life is lived. Convenience will hold you back.
Ease. Convenience. Instant Gratification. Automation.
All of them are modern luxuries. All but one of them carry the potential to make you less satisfied and pull you from your life mission (guess which one doesn’t).
This is because we are made for struggle, forward movement, and taking action. If we do not take action towards what we want, we end up feeling as if we’re not fully living. While we believe we’ve achieved a high standard of living compared to the way we lived before our modern conveniences, we can feel a sensation inside, as if something is missing.
That something is struggle. The meaning that comes from consistent, hard effort towards goals that serve us in life. I passionately believe that, if we have a mission in life that gets us out of bed as soon as we open our eyes and invigorates us, we have a much higher degree of life satisfaction. We are made to do something with the time that we have on this Earth.
Of course, as is the case with a lot of the topics that I discuss on this website and my books, balance is a prime component.
Find the right balance between your mission & goals, and your enjoyment of life.
There was a time when my mission in life consumed me. I wanted to pass that world-renowned certification exam (I did), I wanted to move up the corporate ladder (not so much) and provide for a family. This had its positive aspects and showed myself that I was smart and was capable. Sadly, I made my life ALL about my mission. I didn’t stop and allow myself to smell the sweet nectar of life – I didn’t enjoy what I had and took it all for granted. My stress levels were also considerably higher.
Don’t make your mission your sole focus in life. Avoid making the mistake I made. However, do have a purpose, something to shoot for, such as a goal that you can realistically achieve, and give your best efforts at that. While you’re at it, take some time out to enjoy life. And I don’t mean lay around the couch, drink a lot of beer, and be completely inactive. Do something that excites you, that can serve as an incredible reward for a job well done. Be fully present in that thing and put down the struggle for a bit.
Photo courtesy of Renny/Shutterstock.com
Find what keeps you engaged in life in a playful way, and don't neglect that.
Find what balance works for you. If you have a stressful job, be fully present in the time when you’re away from it and get the highest amount of fun and excitement out of it. Give your partner or significant other your full attention, and appreciate everything you have in your life, every chance you get.
There’s an old saying, “All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy.” This illustrates the principle of this post in a very succinct way. Johnny’s experience is our experience, and this applies to everyone. Maintain a balance. If you’re retired or find yourself without anything to do, find a mission that gives your life meaning. A hobby, business venture, artwork, music… anything that you can work at and preferably have a bit of fun with. Our minds and bodies are built for being actively involved and engaged in activities.
This is a crucial part of getting the most out of your life, I find this is often overlooked. Start making the most out of your time today and improve the quality of your life!
This post covered a lot of ground. I hope you found it encouraging and gave you some great insight.
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