Many people will live their life by repeating the same year over and over again for however long they live. They go through the motions of living, doing what they believe they should be doing or were taught to do, without ever really coming alive to the infinite possibilities life has to offer them. Others live on autopilot with daily schedules running their lives from the moment they wake up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night. Over time, exhaustion sets in, digestive disturbances might develop, you start to put on extra pounds, and regular doses of caffeine and sugar are needed to get through the day. The focus becomes the next task, the next meeting, the next deadline, or the next appointment.
Being physically alive for many years does not determine our level of well-being. We can live a long time but may never step outside our familiar patterns and challenge ourselves to grow and reach beyond our current limits. You may not be experiencing any serious physical challenge or illness but that doesn’t mean you are experiencing a state of well-being. Well-being is a term that refers to a state of being reflected in our relationship with ourselves and our relationship with the world around us. When you are in a state of well-being, you are in a balanced relationship with yourself. It refers to a state of being, a presence, a way of walking in the world. You feel happy and fulfilled. You are continually learning new skills. You have meaningful connections with other people. You are physically active. You are also able to be present in the moment and you cope well with the everyday pressures of life.
To better understand well-being, imagine what it is like to live and move through your days in a state of openness and expansiveness, embracing whatever comes your way while maintaining a sense of inner balance. You feel good, you have a healthy body you care for and nurture, you maintain a positive outlook on life, and feel connected to others. You take full responsibility for yourself, you create your own happiness, and you have an awareness of life-giving energy flowing in and through you.
If you desire to experience a greater sense of well-being, first and foremost, learn how to really breathe. Take walks, go for a swim, or ride a bike. Feel how your body responds when you take in more oxygen and breathe deeply. Your nervous system will feel calmer, you may have greater mental clarity, and you may even feel more alert or have more energy. Every time you take a breath in, you are taking in vital life force energy for your body to use. The deeper you breathe, the more you take in life giving energy.
As you develop a practice of mindful breathing, taking in fuller and deeper breaths, create an image in your mind of what well-being looks like for you. Give it all the detail you can think of. Imagine how you would feel moving through your day in this state of well-being. How would you act, what would you eat, what new choices would you make? Breathe in this image of yourself in a state of well-being. Really allow yourself to feel what it would be like and then begin to consciously align yourself with your image. Breathe into it, imagine it, and begin living it. You can set small, daily goals with the intention of creating a deeper sense of well-being for yourself and then take a step in that direction. This is your life happening as you. There is no dress rehearsal. If you can think it, you can do it. The only limits are those you put upon yourself from limited, habitual ways of thinking. The good news is it is never too late to change. If you want support creating greater well-being in your life, reach out to me. I would love to support you on your journey to becoming a bigger, better version of yourself. To learn more…
