I recently read an article called 100 Life Changing Habits on Strangecharmed.com which was all about eradicating bad lifestyle habits and creating new healthier ones. Basically it was an extensive to do list that was broken down into these 10 categories:
Health, relationships, personal development, spirituality, productivity, career, hobbies, organization, community and charity and money and finance. There were lots of useful tips and generally good advice about getting the most out of your life and finding ways to live an abundant, happy and mindful lifestyle. I was pretty chuffed when I read through the list to be honest, because I actually had quite a lot of the suggestions well and truly under control. So yeah, I got to feel good about the fact that after almost 44 years on the planet that I have actually got some of my shit pretty much together; not perfectly together, but pretty much together.
There were a number of things that I most definitely do not have under control though, two in particular that caught my eye were these little chestnuts that were listed directly next to each other under the heading - personal development:
Say YES to experiences that scare you.
Say NO to experiences that do not serve you.
Hmmm....easier said than done there sensai! I do constantly say yes to horror movies, does that count for things that scare me? Probably not because most of it doesn't really scare me at all! Seriously though, I do know exactly what they really mean when they say 'things that scare you,' they mean getting out of your comfort zone and doing things that make you feel uncomfortable and I absolutely DO NOT have that down, but I have improved, a little. Especially this year because I have been well and truly outside of my comfort zone for the better part of the year and quite a bit of last year as well. However, I would be bullshitting if I said 'I got this' - 'cos I really don't got this!
Also, I am only just learning to say no to things that do not serve me, because I definitely still allow my sense of obligation to dictate some of the things that I do. I am getting better at setting boundaries for myself, but again...I do not have this yet. Saying no is actually really difficult to do, well it is for me anyway. I often put my own needs and wellbeing on the backburner to accommodate for others, and it is a really stupid thing to do. Sometimes, I will just go and go until I literally run myself ragged or explode like some insane person over the littlest thing. I would really like to learn to say no to people without feeling guilty about it and without worrying about offending them. I hate that we are all so programmed to please that we are often afraid to set very reasonable and sensible boundaries for ourselves and others in our lives. It is definitely something that I am going to try and make more of an effort to master, the freedom to put myself first and to sometimes say no.
I really do doubt that anyone would be able to read all 100 points on the 100 Life Changing Habits list and go, yep I got all that down, but if there is someone out there that can, well....all power to you! It takes a lot of guts and determination to be that in control of your life and wellbeing, and it is definitely something that I truly aspire to achieve for myself someday.
For now however I am just satisfied with having the guts to identify my strengths and weaknesses and the balls to own them as well, not as massive as the achievements of others, but not a complete trainwreck either which I am all good with. You gotta love the life you're living!
Health, relationships, personal development, spirituality, productivity, career, hobbies, organization, community and charity and money and finance. There were lots of useful tips and generally good advice about getting the most out of your life and finding ways to live an abundant, happy and mindful lifestyle. I was pretty chuffed when I read through the list to be honest, because I actually had quite a lot of the suggestions well and truly under control. So yeah, I got to feel good about the fact that after almost 44 years on the planet that I have actually got some of my shit pretty much together; not perfectly together, but pretty much together.
There were a number of things that I most definitely do not have under control though, two in particular that caught my eye were these little chestnuts that were listed directly next to each other under the heading - personal development:
Say YES to experiences that scare you.
Say NO to experiences that do not serve you.
Hmmm....easier said than done there sensai! I do constantly say yes to horror movies, does that count for things that scare me? Probably not because most of it doesn't really scare me at all! Seriously though, I do know exactly what they really mean when they say 'things that scare you,' they mean getting out of your comfort zone and doing things that make you feel uncomfortable and I absolutely DO NOT have that down, but I have improved, a little. Especially this year because I have been well and truly outside of my comfort zone for the better part of the year and quite a bit of last year as well. However, I would be bullshitting if I said 'I got this' - 'cos I really don't got this!
Also, I am only just learning to say no to things that do not serve me, because I definitely still allow my sense of obligation to dictate some of the things that I do. I am getting better at setting boundaries for myself, but again...I do not have this yet. Saying no is actually really difficult to do, well it is for me anyway. I often put my own needs and wellbeing on the backburner to accommodate for others, and it is a really stupid thing to do. Sometimes, I will just go and go until I literally run myself ragged or explode like some insane person over the littlest thing. I would really like to learn to say no to people without feeling guilty about it and without worrying about offending them. I hate that we are all so programmed to please that we are often afraid to set very reasonable and sensible boundaries for ourselves and others in our lives. It is definitely something that I am going to try and make more of an effort to master, the freedom to put myself first and to sometimes say no.
I really do doubt that anyone would be able to read all 100 points on the 100 Life Changing Habits list and go, yep I got all that down, but if there is someone out there that can, well....all power to you! It takes a lot of guts and determination to be that in control of your life and wellbeing, and it is definitely something that I truly aspire to achieve for myself someday.
For now however I am just satisfied with having the guts to identify my strengths and weaknesses and the balls to own them as well, not as massive as the achievements of others, but not a complete trainwreck either which I am all good with. You gotta love the life you're living!
TOUCHING THE VOID
Release Date: 2003
Rating: M
Running Time: 106 mins
Based on the book of the same name by Joe Simpson, Touching the Void outlines Simpson and Yate's disastrous attempt to climb Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. Listed by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) as one of the greatest documentaries of all time, and winner of The Best British Film Award at the BAFTA's in 2004, Touching the Void has become a must see documentary for it's incredible depiction of human endurance and determination.
In the mid 1980's two climbers attempt a treacherous and dangerous climb to the summit of Siula Grande in Peru, a feat that had previously never been achieve by anyone. After reaching the summit, things go from bad to worse as the men find themselves having to make life and death choices in a fight for survival.
This is a truly awe-inspiring semi-documentary film, director Kevin MacDonald has done a fabulous job of retelling this unbelievable tale that will have you shifting in your chair and biting your nails down to the stubs with concern. The conditions are beyond belief, at times breathtakingly beautiful and moments later terrifying; but it is the incredible story of friendship and the human spirit that will stick with you the most.
FINAL SAY: Bloody hell....I'm gonna die to Boney M.
4 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2003
Rating: M
Running Time: 106 mins
Based on the book of the same name by Joe Simpson, Touching the Void outlines Simpson and Yate's disastrous attempt to climb Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. Listed by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) as one of the greatest documentaries of all time, and winner of The Best British Film Award at the BAFTA's in 2004, Touching the Void has become a must see documentary for it's incredible depiction of human endurance and determination.
In the mid 1980's two climbers attempt a treacherous and dangerous climb to the summit of Siula Grande in Peru, a feat that had previously never been achieve by anyone. After reaching the summit, things go from bad to worse as the men find themselves having to make life and death choices in a fight for survival.
This is a truly awe-inspiring semi-documentary film, director Kevin MacDonald has done a fabulous job of retelling this unbelievable tale that will have you shifting in your chair and biting your nails down to the stubs with concern. The conditions are beyond belief, at times breathtakingly beautiful and moments later terrifying; but it is the incredible story of friendship and the human spirit that will stick with you the most.
FINAL SAY: Bloody hell....I'm gonna die to Boney M.
4 Chilli Peppers
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