-as a reminder to myself and a guide for my children
- Invest time on your physical health
This is what many people know but don’t place a high priority on. Our body is a vessel that helps us accomplish our goals and aspirations in life. Yet we frequently overuse it. Our family or work sometimes take precedence. For example, we may forget to drink water, skip our meals, stay up late to meet a deadline or even surf the internet mindlessly.
This is not sustainable in the long term. If we don’t take care of our health, our energy will be adversely affected. That in turn affects our ability to perform at our optimal level. Remember these: drink sufficient water, have enough sleep, increase intake of clean healthy foods and reduce junk food intake, consciously add in physical activities especially if you lead a dormant lifestyle.
2. Invest time on your mental health
Other than physical health, mental health is an area we should not neglect. We may face criticisms and judgement from others, or worse still, from ourselves. We cannot please everyone, and not everything will turn out perfect all the time. Seasons and cycles are normal in life.
Take time off to relax. Spend time in nature. Meditate. Most importantly, don’t take things too personally. Focus on what we can control, do those as well as we can. Either accept or let go of what we cannot control.
3. Invest time on relationships
Most of the time, our relationships give us meaning in life. It could be our family, kids, spouse, friends. Unhappiness in relationships usually arise from unmatched expectations.
Relationship is a two-way interaction. Be more proactive in giving and supporting others, before we demand for their attention or affection. Give and you shall receive. But give what the other person wants to receive, not only what you want to give.
However, if the other person does not value you, don’t lower your standards, bring the person up if you can or want to. If not, you’re not meant to be together.
That said, do also understand that nobody can be with us forever. We get separated due to different priorities, life choices, or even death. Let the memories live on, not the sorrow.
4. Keep renewing yourself.
Keep learning, keep growing. Join some charitable causes or volunteer at organizations you care about. You are never too old to make new friends or learn new skills. Observe. Ask questions. Experiment.
What do you do with all the knowledge, experience and wisdom you’ve gained in your life? Share it with others. Just like how others have generously shared it with you or guided you.
5. Enjoy the journey, don’t wait for the destination
Life is a ride, enjoy yourself while you are on it. We all have one ultimate destination at the end of it. Let’s make our life interesting before we reach there. Think how we want to live so we will not regret. Focus on progress, not perfection.
I hope we all lead a happy, meaningful, fulfilled life, doing what we love, with people we love!
