More Contentment

As I was doing some research on the internet looking for tips on how to become more content, I came across a great article called:  "8 Tips to Minimize Stress and Be More Content In Your Life".  

This article talks about unrealistic expectations being one of the causes that leads us on a crazy mental roller-coaster ride. Below are a summary of the tips it gives to improve your life and my thoughts.  

1.   Focus on actions rather than reactions   (focus on things you can control)
Thinking in terms of reactions is a hard one to handle because in many ways it may be out of your control.   I've since learned to always give 100% and I never have to second guess myself to figure out if I gave enough or if I could have done better.  I know that I did my best and sometimes my best might just not be good enough.   If that happens, I chalk it up to a learning experience and  just move on.


2.  Have fun; don't take things too seriously   (make everything you do fun)
This is me, too serious at times.   After my divorce, I only had myself to rely on to provide for my two children.  I became really focused and became too serious with life.   This can really wreak havoc on your soul over time.  I'm now trying to slow down, not worry so much, and trying to find the simple joy in everything I do on a day to day basis.

3.  Don't compare yourself with others   (look for feedback, but don't compare yourself)  Go ahead and admire those friends, but instead of comparing yourself, look to them for suggestions and advice.   If it is meant for you, it will become so.  if not, it wasn't meant to be.  As they say:  Let go and let be !

4.  Focus on being what you love rather than being loved   (don't worry what other people will say about you)     If people don't love you for who you are, then they may never love you,  so why try to change yourself.  Focus on being true to you and being the type of person you want to be, for you.  Develop passions that matter to you and you alone.   Love yourself because in life that is all you really are ever guaranteed to have.

5.  Cultivate abundance mentality  (remember, someone else's gain is not your loss, there is enough for everyone to prosper).    There is more than enough to go around for everyone.  I sometimes wonder why things are harder for me to achieve  them, or at least that is how I perceive it.  I need to remember that it will be there for me when the time is right.  I need to trust in God's timing.  A work in progress for me ! 


6.  Make failure your friend   (failure is a normal part of life at times)   Sometimes we will fail and we need to learn to get up, brush ourselves off, and get right back into the game of life.   Things aren't always going to be easy and sometimes through these failures we learn our best lessons. 


7.  Look back and not just look ahead   ( look back to see how far you have come and all  your successes to date)    This is my hardest one.  I think of all the things I need to do and/or achieve for my work, family, retirement, etc...  Instead, I need to focus on how far I've come to stay motivated and not get so overwhelmed.  


8. Cultivate your enthusiasm   (enthusiasm makes you excited about life, and energizes you to always do your best).    Enthusiasm is the best gift you can give yourself.  Your enthusiasm for life is a direct impact on how happy you will become.    Life is a gift and we need to treat it as so.  Be grateful ! 

Life is meant to be enjoyed !