It seems only fitting that with the start of the new year, we revisit the concept of living a joyful and strategic life. Yes, I know that is a touchy-feely concept but bear with me, for no matter how many tasks you add to your list of things to do if those things don’t bring peace, comfort, and happiness into your life, why bother?
Before sharing these eight steps, let me just say that no matter where you happen to be in life, living joyfully should be your goal. Yes, we all have chores that are distasteful and bills to pay. In addition, we have people in our lives who are going to be negative and try to bring us down to their level. The moment is now to step back and clear the slate. If you are doing something regularly and you simply hate it, start doing something else instead. The same applies to toxic relationships.
Life is too short not to be happy.
How to Live a Joyful and Strategic Life
How to Live a Joyful and Strategic Life1. Find inspiration and meaning in something, anything.
Whether it is a favorite hobby, a special meal, or just quiet time alone, find inspiration and meaning in something you do each and every day. Feed your soul with something you are passionate about and tell yourself you are worth it.
2. Make wellness a priority.
The concept of wellness covers so much more than good health. It includes intellectual stimulation, movement, and activity. Get out those puzzles, take a stroll or a hike with your favorite partner or pet, and stay busy. Couple that with eating real food and perhaps some essential oils in your diffuser and you will be ahead of the curve.
3. Challenge yourself.
Reach beyond your comfort zone to do something better than you have ever done it before. Compete with others or simply compete with yourself to be the best you can be. This will help you grow, stay motivated, and be excited to get up in the morning.
4. Embrace adventure.
Try something new every day and seek out a unique experience. Turn life into an adventure. Failure is okay as long as you can laugh about it after the fact. Explore, explore, and explore some more!
5. Be part of a family.
Be part of a community, large or small. Your family does not have to be blood-related because after all, not all family relationships are good ones. Pick your family of friends and build your own support group. Everyone needs someone to watch their back, no matter how strong-willed you might be. Cherish your connections!
6. Celebrate the happy moments.
Life has a habit of throwing up roadblocks. It happens even to the best of us. That makes it even more important to celebrate the good times and rejoice in those happy moments. When good things happen, laugh, talk, and share them with those who matter. And when good things happen to them? Listen without envy. Your turn will come.
7. Stay involved with the larger community.
Find a way to give back to society. Whether it involves volunteering at your local library, working at a food bank, or simply lending an ear to someone who is lonely, the experience will put a smile on your face. Me? I am part of a team that regularly performs at senior centers and nursing homes in our area. I always wrap up the performance with a happy feeling inside.
8. Be prepared for unexpected events that are out of your control.
It goes without saying the being prepared for events that can turn your world on its side is a very important aspect of living a strategic life. Even if nothing ever happens, it is good to know that you have food, supplies, skills, and the mental fortitude to get through a disaster or crisis, large or small.
Summing It All Up
These past six months have been a struggle for me personally as I try to forge a new path in life. Mostly, I felt I was too old to start something new. Does that sound familiar?
Then I read something rather profound. What I read said to think back to the years between 20 and 40 and all of your personal accomplishments during that period. Now add those twenty years to your current age. Voila! There is still time to live and to achieve. There is still time to make a difference.
Twenty years, or even ten, is a long time. Let us not waste it. Be well, be happy, and be prepared!
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Gaye, this is a great list. thanks for past years of inspiration and for future years of inspiration.
Especially important was your summing up paragraph, don’t let age stop you. At 66 I get frustrated sometimes because I am slower, and get tired more easily, but I still keep doing and going. Hate the alternative of just sitting the rest of my life!
Looking forward to new year of info from your blogs!
Thank you, Jean.
I would like to comment on your “alternative to just sitting the rest of my life” statement. I had felt a lot of pressure to do what others in my neighborhood are doing. You know – lunch with the girls, playing cards or mahjong, gossiping, that sort of thing. Not that there is anything wrong with those things, they are just not me. Once I let go of the guilt of not participating in things I don’t enjoy go, I found my own path. We all need to do that.
By the way, I get incredibly more tired now than I did just five years ago. The way I deal with it is sleeping in until 7 or 7:30 instead of getting up at the crack of dawn. That, plus spending at least one hour a day coloring and playing with my art supplies. That is my version of a nap LOL.
In our small town, two much-beloved men passed recently, of illnesses that meant we did know death was coming. I realized yesterday that it made me want to reach out more widely to others in the community and so my husband and I made arrangements for Friday lunches twice a month with a couple we like, plus we will invite a variety of people over on Mondays (except the one Monday I have a committee meeting).
Community is so important!
Having moved to a new home in a different part of the country, I have had to learn to put myself out there and reach out to others rather than the other way around. Sometimes it is hard, especially now that I am older and tire more easily.
We all need to take a cue from you and find people we enjoy to interact with on a regular basis. We don’t have to become best friends, just friendly. Indeed, community and the corresponding social interaction is important!
I resonate with everything on this list! The end of the year, a birthday pushing me closer to 60, and finding a past college and friend (whom I had not kept in touch with) passed suddenly in her 50s, has made me determined to live more strategically as you preach on your blog.
I’ve pared down my social media presence in the last few months but will always find time to read your blog and put into practice the many lessons you write about. Your experience is priceless so thank you for sharing it!
Oops! meant colleague, but did go to college with her!
Darn those spell checkers! They sometimes have a mind of their own!!
To be honest, I was feeling a bit blue over the fact that the time I had left to do something amazing was getting shorter and shorter. Once I realized that I have plenty of time left (as long as my health holds out), my entire outlook changed. Yours will too.
Thanks so much for sticking with me. I know I ramble a bit but hopefully, my musings are helpful to more than just a few of you. Take care.
Great post, Gaye. Many Blessings!
Great tips. As I age I am getting better at stepping outside of my comfort zone in order to grow. This helps me to get inspired by new things.
Likewise. I see so many people getting to a point in their lives where they do not wish to take any risks and have a fear of failure. Other than financial risks (for which I am adverse), I say bring it on! What do we have to lose? Thanks for stopping by.