We know that if you have stumbled onto our blog, you are
probably one of millions of individuals in the U.S. who is struggling with a
serious illness or caring for a loved one with a serious illness. Neither of
those tasks are easy, and we can get caught up in the difficulties, the
mundane, the appointments, the medication reminders.
This is why we believe in educating individuals about
general wellness—physical and emotional wellness. Today, we consider the ways
in which we can turn the ordinary everyday into an extraordinary day.
Part of finding the extraordinary is awakening and
remembering our opportunities to enjoy living and life. We can become so used
to the ordinary that after awhile, we don’t see it anymore. Sometimes,
extraordinary moments are ordinary actions with a new perspective. We need to
be open to the life experiences that give us pleasure.
Think about how you feel when you prepare a meal at home,
when you water the plants in your garden, when you sit with a beloved dog or
cat and pet them. These are actions that are small events, ones that happen
frequently. Let’s apply a new lens to them. These are also actions that are
sustaining and transforming life. You prepare a meal to sustain the life and
energy in you or ones you love; watering your garden encourages the growth of
your plants; petting your animals sustains their emotional energy as well as
your emotional well-being.
As we age, we are challenged to redefine pleasure. Think
back. Are your pleasures at age 20 the same as those today? Some of them are
probably different. Our challenge as human beings is to find the things that
are pleasurable to us. In order to do that, we need to know the qualities
within ourselves that help us enjoy and cope in life. These qualities might
include a sense of humor, an appreciation for natural beauty, or our love for
family.
Take the time to nurture these qualities. It can be
difficult to find the time, especially with the many responsibilities on our
shoulders. Train your attention to focus on one thing at a time. Look to be
fully present in the moment, and know what helps you to be present. Set
priorities. Make a list. Tackle one thing at a time. We have a choice in how we
interpret life and its events. We choose what we focus our attention on.
Attention is a precious commodity.
Keep the creative intelligence alive within yourself. Focus
on learning. Read. Interact with others. Listen to books on tape. Paint. Draw.
Write. Commit to an activity that engages your mind and gives you joy. These
activities might also be your stress reducers. It’s important to be aware of
stress-relieving methods that work for you.
Lastly, take the time to let others show you the
extraordinary in life. It used to be that families would sit down together each
evening around the dining table. Today, we’re often too busy and running around
too much. Return to this habit. The time spent around the table offers the
opportunity to share, connect, and learn. Share your stories with your families
and friends; listen to their stories.
In order to capture the extraordinary, we have to train our
lens on actions and relationships that will bring delight into our lives. And,
we also have to believe there’s wonder in the ordinary.
Turn your ordinary into extraordinary today.
Information provided by Marianne Schloss, RN, M.Div.
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