Keeping Your Life In Check

I recently contacted a friend to whom I hadn't spoken in a while.  When she asked how I was doing, I replied that, according to my standards, I was up and down.  I had expected her response to be encouraging, to be that she hoped things would go better. I expected her to ask what was going on and to say that it would pass.  She said none of that.  Instead, she responded by claiming that I was not living my passions or my full potential.   She said that I was waiting for things to happen as oppose to taking action toward what I wanted to accomplish.

My first thoughts were that we’re supposed to be friends and support and encourage each other and pick the other up when they are down. How could she say that to me?  I knew however, that there was some truth to what she said.  

I took some time to reflect.  I went back to review my goals for the year, my bucket list and to the eulogy I wrote for myself.  Writing your own eulogy is a great personal growth exercise.  It allows you to start with your end in mind.  Google “Writing your own eulogy exercise” for more information or come to my Advanced workshop in July where we will be completing this exercise.

I then e-mailed some of my closest friends and asked them what they thought my life’s purpose was.  I wanted to see if I was living up to what I had written in my eulogy. The good news was that the feedback I received was on track for what I wanted to accomplish in the time that I was here.  There were however, some aspects that I felt were missing.  I chose one to focus on for the moment.  I had written in my eulogy, “Amanda knew how to have fun and enjoy life”. I felt that though I had been working hard and enjoying my practice, I was failing to have more fun in my personal time.

I decided that starting next week, I would try one new activity every week.  This would help me have more fun, learn more about myself, explore some passions and push myself out of my comfort zone.  Stay tuned for upcoming blogs about what I try.  

What about you?  How have you been living your life?  Are you passionate about your relationships, health, work, finances, etc?  What one step could you take to head toward the direction  you’d like to go?