by Tom Morgan | Mar 15, 2021 | Fitness
There’s more to life than just going to work, eating dinner, maintaining your home, and watching TV. Even people that are obsessed with their careers can feel like their life is flat and lacks real meaning.
You might be lucky enough to find true meaning from your work, but most of us desire greater fulfillment.
We’re all searching for some kind of meaning from life.
But, how do you find it?
Use these tips to find greater meaning in your day-to-day life:
1. Volunteer. Put your attention on others, and you’ll feel better overall. It feels good to help other people, to make a difference in someone else’s life, and your life will feel more meaningful as a result.
2. Live by your values. When you ignore your values, it’s easy for your life to get off track. You quickly find yourself living a life that doesn’t fulfill you. List your values and make your decisions based on your values.
3. Spend more time with others. It’s not that you can’t have a meaningful life without other people, but it’s less likely. We’re programmed to be part of a community. It wasn’t that long ago that it was impossible for a human to survive on his own. People can add meaning to life.
4. Strip away the excess. It’s easy to get caught up in the little things that don’t matter. Go through your house and get rid of everything except the things you need or love. Do the same with your social circle and activities. If you don’t need it or love it, let it go.
5. What brings you joy? The more time you spend on things that bring you joy, the more meaningful your life will feel to you. Make a list of the things that you enjoy and schedule more of those activities into your life.
6. Be part of something that is bigger than yourself. What do you think is really important? Saving the whales? The environment? Helping needy children? Homelessness? Find a cause that you find highly meaningful and give it your all.
7. Be grateful. Nothing feels quite like gratefulness. It’s a warm, calming feeling. Spend a few minutes each day and make a list of everything that makes you feel grateful. Try to identify at least one new thing each day.
8. Consider all the people that benefit from your existence. There are a lot of people that might depend on you.
● The customers that your business serves
● The people in your family, especially your spouse/partner and children
● Your aging parents
● Your coworkers
● Your friends
● These are just a few of the people that need you each day. Make a list of all the people that depend on you.
Believing that your life has meaning has real implications on your physical and mental health.
Multiple studies on those over 65 years of age have shown that those who believe their life has meaning score better on mental and physical health questionnaires. They also show higher cognitive function.
As you age, it becomes increasingly important to your wellbeing that you live a life with purpose.
You don’t have to save the world to find deeper meaning in your life. Notice the contributions that you’re already making. Create a life that you find meaningful and it will also bring you more joy, happiness, and fulfillment.
by Tom Morgan | Mar 15, 2021 | Health
If you’re spending most of your time at home due to recent events, it would be a great idea to find a hobby or two to occupy your time. The right hobby can be great for your sense of wellbeing.
There are hobbies that will boost your physical health and fitness, hobbies that are great for your emotional health, and even hobbies that boost both.
If you feel like your life is lacking, an interesting hobby might be the answer!
Try out some these healthy hobbies:
1. Hiking. You get fresh air, exercise, social distancing, and a great view while hiking. This is a great hobby for both your physical and emotional health. Unless you get serious, you probably already have adequate footwear. All you need to do is get out and start walking.
● If you live in the city, you can walk on a treadmill if the sidewalk doesn’t appeal to you. Set up a TV or computer screen and give yourself something enjoyable to look at while you walk.
2. Dancing. There’s no reason you can’t dance at home. You don’t have to worry about making a fool out of yourself, since you’ll have privacy. Pull up a few YouTube videos on the style of dance that interests you and dance your heart out.
3. Biking. Indoors or out, biking is great exercise and something that you can potentially do safely with others. You don’t need a fancy bike like a professional racer would use. A simple bike from a big box store, Craigslist, or a yard sale will suffice to start this healthy hobby.
4. Photography. Photography is a great solo hobby. Think about what you would like to take photos of and get started. There is plenty of educational material on the subject and free software to help make your photos perfect. The camera on your cell phone is more than enough to get started.
5. Music. You can listen to music, play an instrument, compose music, record your music and share it with others, or learn to play an instrument. Music provides plenty of opportunities to spend some time in an enjoyable way.
6. Art. You could paint, draw, sculpt, create mosaics, or do any other type of art that interests you. Art is a great way to express yourself emotionally. There are many art classes available online. Many of them are free!
7. Gardening. You can grow food, flowers, or other plants. Even during the winter in northern climates, you can have plants indoors. Gardening is a great way to add a little life to your life.
8. Writing. Have you ever wanted to write a novel? Start a blog? Write children’s stories or a screenplay? There’s nothing stopping you from getting started today.
What are a few hobbies that interest you? What has stopped you from giving them a try to this point in your life? Now might be the ideal time to add a hobby or two to your life.
Hobbies are enjoyable by definition. You have nothing to lose, because if you don’t enjoy it, you can drop it and try something else. Keep looking until you find a hobby that fits your lifestyle and interests. A great hobby can be a game-changer for your life!
by Tom Morgan | Mar 15, 2021 | Daily Affirmation
I am the captain of my ship. I make my own decisions and take responsibility for my choices.
I listen to my intuition. I follow my heart. I define what success means for me instead of comparing myself to others.
I leverage my strengths. I figure out what I do well and what I love to do. I structure my tasks so that I can take advantage of my natural talents.
I manage my emotions. I focus on the things that I can control. I remind myself that how I respond to events is up to me. I can use any situation as an opportunity to learn and grow.
I limit distractions. I cut out activities that drain my time and energy. I spend fewer hours watching TV and browsing online and more hours working on my hobbies and volunteering in my community.
I make myself a priority. I take care of my health. I exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and sleep 8 hours each night.
I think positive. I look for the humor in difficult situations. I count my blessings and give myself encouraging pep talks. I know I can accomplish great things when I am willing to make the effort.
I take action. I make concrete plans and evaluate my progress. I take steps each day that bring me closer to my goals. I persevere through obstacles and setbacks.
Today, I chart my own path. I have confidence in myself and my abilities.
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. When is it okay to break the rules?
2. How does helping others make me more powerful?
3. How can I develop my leadership abilities?
by Tom Morgan | Mar 14, 2021 | Health
Have you ever felt frustrated with the amount of thoughts that your mind is throwing at you, especially when you’re already feeling stressed or overwhelmed? It’s like an unruly roommate that you can’t get rid of. The noise never seems to stop.
This can be distracting at best. At worst, it can undermine your confidence and optimism.
While it isn’t possible to stop your mental chatter completely, there is plenty that you can do to tame it.
Keep these techniques in mind when you need an escape from your mental chatter:
1. Try using 5-4-3-2-1. When the noise in your head won’t seem to stop, try 5-4-3-2-1. This little exercise will get you out of your head and focused on your environment.
● Look around your environment and describe five things you see. For example: “I see a pair of shoes. They are made of brown leather, have a low heel, and rubber soles. They look old.” It’s easy to find five things you see, but the remainder of the exercise is a little more challenging.
● Describe four things you hear. “In the distance, I can hear car horns honking.” Really focus your attention on the noises you can hear and fully experience them.
● Describe three things you feel. It could be the cool breeze blowing over your skin, the firm chair underneath you, or the pain in your elbow.
● Describe two things you smell. You might have to really concentrate to come up with two.
● Tell yourself one thing you like about yourself. By the time you’ve finished all five parts of this exercise, your focus will be in the present instead of on the noise in your head.
2. Avoid engaging with your mental chatter. Your brain is going to make noise. There’s no way to stop it completely. The key is to ignore it. View the chatter in your head as nonsense and let it go.
3. Learn to meditate. Meditation creates a lot of opportunities for dealing with mental noise, because there’s nothing to distract you from it. Learn how to meditate and spend some time each day meditating to calm your mind.
4. Write it out. Set aside time each day to write down the things you’re randomly thinking. It’s very cathartic and really works if you give it a chance. After 10-20 minutes, take the paper you’ve been writing on and destroy it.
5. Use affirmations. Affirmations can improve your life. They also crowd out the noise. When the noise starts, use an affirmation to keep your mind occupied on thoughts that you want.
● Have a list of affirmations ready to go. Pick one and use it when necessary.
6. Use a mantra. Using a mantra is the same idea as using an affirmation. Your mantra could just be a meaningless sound or something more significant. Drown out the noise!
7. Focus on your breathing. Put your attention on your breathing. This is convenient, because it’s always available to you.
8. Listen to music. Playing music in the background while you work can help to keep in the internal voices at bay. Be careful that you don’t listen to something so distracting that you can’t concentrate on whatever it is that you’re doing. This might take some experimentation and practice.
Your brain creates thoughts. That’s what it’s designed to do. But there are solutions you can employ to reduce the noise. Attempting to eliminate your internal voice is a waste of time, but you can greatly reduce the noise and avoid engaging with it.
Just because your permanent roommate decides to speak doesn’t mean you have to listen! Practice these methods to reduce or prevent an overabundance of thoughts that you don’t want.
by Tom Morgan | Mar 14, 2021 | Self Awareness
Do you put the rest of your plans on hold when you start a new relationship? It’s a common pattern that could be interfering with your happiness and ability to find love.
It’s natural to be excited about a new romance. You want to spend each day together, and you start dreaming about your future. Before you know it, you lose track of your own identity and neglect your family and friends.
Learn how to stay grounded in reality when you feel like you’re falling in love. Try these tips for staying true to yourself as you welcome a new partner into your life.
Steps to Take Yourself:
1. Love yourself. You’re less likely to lose yourself in a relationship if you already value who you are. Increase your self-awareness and self-esteem by living mindfully and making choices that align with your core values.
2. Continue socializing. Keep spending time with family and friends. Visit your parents and schedule standing coffee dates with your pals. Encourage your new love interest to do the same. Your relationship will be stronger if you avoid placing excessive demands on each other.
3. Pursue your interests. You can love each other even if you prefer different kinds of music and restaurants. Carry on with your hobbies and passion projects. Go kayaking while your significant other volunteers for a political campaign.
4. Concentrate at work. Your performance may suffer if you spend too much time texting or fantasizing about your future children. Plan your workday and complete your tasks.
5. Set individual goals. Ensure that your life has a purpose bigger than any single relationship. Think about your spiritual development and the legacy you want to create.
6. Maintain boundaries. Honor your own needs. Explain how you want to be treated and let others know the consequences for exceeding your limits.
7. Spend time alone. You’ll probably make wiser decisions about relationships if you can enjoy your own company. Stay home one evening a week. Enjoy some solo activities each weekend. Give yourself a few spa treatments or read a long novel.
8. Consider counseling. Childhood experiences and other factors may interfere with your ability to find the love you deserve. If you need more help, talk with a therapist who specializes in relationships.
Steps to Take with Your Significant Other:
1. Slow down. Resist the urge to spend every moment together after a promising first date. Get to know each other gradually. Put off making any major decisions until your relationship is on firmer ground.
2. Listen closely. Your date may be wonderful, but they have weaknesses and quirks just like the rest of humanity. Pay attention to the evidence. Discuss important issues like how you feel about parenting and managing money.
3. Expect conflict. New couples sometimes avoid any subjects that could undermine their infatuation. In reality, your relationship is more likely to thrive if you learn to work out your differences with kindness and respect.
4. Coordinate communications. How many phone calls a day are you comfortable with? Negotiate a schedule that makes you both feel connected without becoming overwhelmed.
5. Seek balance. Relationships are rarely completely equal. One partner may love the other more or have more influence. However, you can strive for reciprocity and mutual support. Divide chores and other responsibilities. Pool your strengths and appreciate the contributions that you both make to your life together.
Holding on to your individuality creates a stronger foundation for love and intimacy. You can be yourself while being part of a couple. Your life will be fuller, and your relationships will be more satisfying.
