Ever wonder why you get so upset listening to someone you care about, often interrupting, rather than listening? The answer may not surprise you, but the solution to becoming a better listener might just do that! And it’s not that hard…

Have you ever, and I mean, ever, said ‘no, I definitely can’t do that’ and then unbeknownst to yourself, actually did that thing?! Swim across the lake. Write that book. Get your first client. Get your 100th client. Complete that research project. Fix that thing that has been broken for-ever!?

Yes?! Then you know it’s possible. The question is how do we repeat it? How do we get past the point of saying, no, I can’t, to maybe I can, to I did it!

This seems so obvious that every time I read it, I literally want to roll my eyes. Like, hello? Yes! Why would I continue to carry things around day in and day out when I have zero ability to control it? And how can I possibly think straight about the things I CAN control when I am holding space for the things I CAN’T?

Now, at the corner of midlife, I see how important it is to care for ourselves, while keeping perspective on how others feel. That is a tough one for most of us! The intention is to understand and empathize with others, without having it change the way we feel. You know, so that you can take care of yourself, because that is the end game that leads to an authentically happy life.

Getting to a relaxed state of mind isn’t something that easily occurs, which is why we have such a hard time accessing  it. We are literally waiting for the confirmation that now is the time to relax! 

Instead we simply need to learn how to relax during a moment that we are not currently craving it. 

The thinking is a great place to start. But what will transform thoughts into things is the perspectives around these thoughts.

You just do it. You force yourself to get up and put one foot in front of the other. Fight the urge to give up. Then go about the business of living. You just do it.”

It’s all about perspective!

I chose this topic today because I know that it’s relatable. Maybe even more so after a year in this pandemic, but not exclusively. We have constant commentary about wanting to just go. Somewhere. Anywhere. I mean, anywhere but here. Right?

When it comes right down to this concept of designing a purposeful, life I am clear about one thing: It is much easier to talk about the design, the how, the why and even the gratification once you arrive there...than it is to begin this transformation. 

What does it even mean to have a purposeful life? This term has taken a seat right next to all the buzz around mindset yet while it has been on the hot list for a while, do we actually know what it means? And if we truly understood it, would it be something we desired, or something that might make us run the other way?