Resolve to Enjoy Life

How To Live In Awe Of Life In 2016

Do you enjoy life? I mean, really enjoy it? Do you stop to literally smell the roses? Feel the dirt under your feet? Appreciate the smile on your child’s face? Or do you find yourself rushing through life to accomplish the next thing on our “to do” list? If you are guilty of the latter, it may be the year to Resolve to Enjoy Life.

The Resolution: Enjoy Life More

According to Zen Habits, slowing down leads to a greater appreciation for life and a greater level of overall happiness. And remember, for big change to happen, we need to get out of our comfort zone! Seem overwhelming? Start simply, by paying attention to your breath. When you find yourself speeding up and stressing out, pause and take a deep breath. Fill your lungs and breathe fully out. Repeat a few times and you will find yourself back in the present with a clearer focus and a calmer spirit. And remember, for big change to happen, we need to get out of our comfort zone. Like the saying goes, if you want to experience big change, you’ll have to do something you’ve never done!

Mantra

Having a word or phrase to guide your actions throughout the year can help keep you focused on the results you want to achieve. For the resolution to “Enjoy Life,” try one of these mantras:

• I keep my head up and my heart open.
• My intention is to be present and live in the moment.
• I will seize the day. (Carpe Diem!)
• My intention is to slow down and enjoy life.
• I am grateful for every aspect of my life.
• My life keeps getting better and better.

For more inspiration, visit Steven Aitchison’s blog post “9 Inspiring Mantras to Live By.”

Visualize

Visualization is a powerful tool for creating life changes. Make a powerful visualization of your New Year’s Resolution by grabbing your journal and a pen, and finding a quiet place to sit down and relax. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and clear your mind. Now, close your eyes and visualize yourself enjoying your life fully. Zoom in on your image of yourself. What do you see? What is the expression on your face? Where are you? Is there anyone or anything with you? Who or what? Are you standing, sitting, doing an activity? Get a very detailed picture in your mind of your most joyous self, enjoying your life. Next, quietly ask yourself, what is one step I can take now to get me closer to this vision? Then just be quiet and listen. You may not get an answer right away. And the answer may not be what you expect. It may be a color in your mind, a word, an image or a feeling. Whatever it is, write it down as it may be a clue to your next action item. Once you feel complete with your visualization, open your eyes, take out your journal and write down everything you saw, felt and heard. Repeat this process daily. Consistently imagining your life as you want it to be will create a new “truth” in your self conscious.

Action Steps

It’s one thing to visualize your goals. It’s another to make a plan. But without putting your foot down and moving, you can’t achieve your goals. So, what are your action steps? Write down three things you can do this week to get your closer to your goal. Try to avoid the habit of overwhelming yourself with too many tasks. Instead, focus on 1 – 3 each week. Don’t know where to start? Try one of these 10 tips from Zen Habits:

1. Do Less
2. Be Present
3. Disconnect
4. Focus on People
5. Appreciate Nature
6. Eat Slower
7. Drive Slower
8. Find Pleasure in Anything
9. Single-Task
10. Breathe

When you are feeling challenged in your New Year’s Resolution, remember this quote:

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

What is your New Year’s Resolution? Tell us in the comments.