4 tips to cultivate and enhance your daily life and well being

Recently I had the very LIFEGIVING experience of visiting Disney World in Florida.

I am using the word LIFEGIVING very deliberately, because my experience was just that!

For the 2 days that I had the opportunity to explore some of the parks, I could not stop grinning such was my happiness. Being at Disney World was a catalyst for releasing my inner child: I enthusiastically hugged Goofy, the Chipmunks, one or two Disney Princesses; I jumped up and down with delight as I watched the street parades and waved to Mickey Mouse; I sang along with gusto to the beautiful orchestral music that permeated every corner of the parks; I gasped with awe as I witnessed the glorious firework display, and I experienced enormous pleasure at the unfailing willingness and enthusiastic service of every Disney employee I encountered over the two days. If I could bottle my Disney experience and bring it home, I would have the instant ‘pick me up’ for every mediocre day forever after! It was a LIFEGIVING experience.

What do I mean by LIFEGIVING? I initially encountered this term through an interest in the study of Spiritual Formation. I discovered that the term LIFEGIVING was a helpful way to recognise good spirit – that which had a calming, nurturing, grounding, centering and positive impact on my well-being. Anything that is LIFEGIVING grows, nourishes and enhances life in me. Conversely, when something depletes, minimises, drains and de-centers, it is a bad spirit and life destroying.

Whilst I cannot bring Disney home in a bottle, I can still encounter that which is LIFEGIVING in my ongoing everyday experience because I have developed the habit of noticing the things in my daily experience that enhance life and well-being in me.

Here are 4 tips to cultivate and enhance your daily life and well-being in 2014:

1. Using each of your 5 senses, take notice of the things in your everyday life that soothe, calm, centre, ground and/or bring you pleasure.
   sight – a favourite object, photo or scene
   smell – a flower, herb, tree, candle or particular object that calms or holds meaning for you
   touch- a smoothe stone, a silk scarf, a beloved pet or a warm bubble bath
   sound – the sea, rain on your roof, a favourite piece of music,
   taste – a drink of hot chocolate, a glass of red wine at the end of a long day, the first cup of tea for the day, your favourite sweet

2. Take 5-10 minutes each day to journal the things that you notice are LIFEGIVING and reflect on what it is that makes it so.
   

   Is it the colour, the size, the reminder of a pleasurable memory for instance?
   Your answers will provide further insight into what it is that is particularly LIFEGIVING for you.

3. Practice DOING MORE of the things that are LIFEGIVING.
   

   Makes sense doesn’t it? I have noticed that inspite of what I know about what I NEED for well being, old habits die hard and self sabotage is my brains natural de-fault position! Making a new habit requires PRACTICE. By daily practice and journaling your discoveries you reinforce that which is LIFEGIVING.
   
   RITUALS are a very powerful way of providing order and rhythm to your daily life. It may be as simple as going for a daily walk early morning, lighting a candle each evening or saying a prayer upon waking and going to bed.

4. Make your home/workplace environment LIFEGIVING by using decor that calms and centres you.
   

   Be aware that your mood may well be enhanced by a certain colour or sounds.
   Do you function better with more light? Do you prefer a window? Is there a particular plant or flower you would like to bring indoors? Do you require a quiet place where you can relax and find calm?Consider how the environment you are in, impacts your mood and sense of well-being. You may well have to think creatively about how you can make the environment you are in, more LIFEGIVING for you.
   Make a point of removing the things that de-energize you physically, mentally or emotionally.

By following these 4 tips you will begin to develop your own daily experience of noticing that which is LIFEGIVING for you. The benefits will include an increasing sense of calm, inner peace, and centring as you invite more of what is ‘good spirit’ into your daily experience.

Do you feel sad, numb, isolated or tired? Do you want to experience a more joy-filled or intentional life? There is hope. Contact Colleen on 0434 337 245 or Duncan on 0434 331 243 for a FREE 10 minute consultation on how we can best help you or book online now.