L.O.V.E. L.I.F.E.
Love Yourself
- Your life has value not because of what you look like, not because of what you’re made of but because of who you are meant to be. Love yourself, take care of yourself and be better to yourself each day.
Outdoor Living
- One of life’s greatest gifts is the healing and calming gift of the outdoors. According to several studies published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology. “Nature is fuel for the soul,” says Richard Ryan, Ph.D, the lead author of the studies. Whether it’s sitting in a park or a hike in the mountains, being outdoors is sure to give you peace and energize your spirit.
Volunteer
- If you want a fast track to living a happy life, try serving others. Volunteer at a school, offer to play games at a senior living facility, serve the homeless. Even if you can’t spare the money to give, most everyone can make time to serve.
Express Yourself
- Taking time to express yourself is vital for the health of your spirit. Expressing yourself is the way you share your story with the world. It could be the music you listen to, the way you take a picture or what and how you wear your clothes. Be your authentic self. Share it with others!
Learn New Things
- We are never too old to learn new tricks! I love that every day brings the opportunity to learn something new. Learn from mistakes, learn a new skill like cooking or knitting, take a class, go back to school, learn to forgive….. Life’s lessons are abundant and beautiful!
Involvement in Community
- GET INVOLVED!!!! Connected people are happy people. Whether it’s a church community, school board, rotary, professional networking group, bible study, gym or activism group, get involved. Friends start as strangers; there is no better way to meet new friends.
Find Meaning
- It can be argued that life’s purpose is to find meaning. What job am I going to do? Am I going to find a life partner? Am I going to have children? What legacy am I going to leave? The thought of finding purpose and meaning can be stressful and overwhelming. In the book, Man’s Search for Meaning, author and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl details his time spent in Nazi concentration camps. Frankl was a therapist in the camps and says “For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.” He shares the following meanings to apply to difficult circumstances
* Create a work or do a deed
* Experience something or encounter someone
* The attitude in which we approach difficult situations
- Difficult situations are inevitable and the meaning of it may be hard to find but even if it’s to show us how strong we can be, or the attitude we choose to have, take something from it.
Exercise
- In keeping with the spirit of loving and taking care of yourself, being active is essential to the health of your spirit. While the physical benefits are obvious, the emotional, mental and spiritual benefits are endless!
Peace and Blessings,
Kristin
Water’s Edge Counseling & Healing Center
