Living Your Best You in 2015

You hold the pen that is writing your life story so aim to make it a great one. One of the best suggestions I have for 2015 is to make the most of your life. It goes quickly and we are only given one life on this earth. I highly encourage you to do the best you can with what you have been given. My challenge to myself and to you is to make 2015 the year of living our best selves yet.

Here are 7 suggestions for living your best you in 2015.

• Take Control of Your Life:

Make choices contingent on what you want out of life. Don’t let other people or circumstances dictate your path. Be intentional about your future and what you want. If your life isn’t working out how you planned, make adjustments and set new goals to change that. We have all been given different gifts, talents and life stories; learn to make the most of what has been given to you. Recognize that you alone have the ability to take control of your life and to make the best of it. Charles Swindoll once said, Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

• Learn to Forgive and Let Go:

Forgiveness is a complex concept, yet a powerful phenomenon. It has the ability to free the soul, refresh the mind, and invigorate the heart. Forgiveness is not forgetting or excusing. Forgiveness is a process and a choice we can all make about someone who has harmed or wronged us. It’s a change in attitude or a shift in our thinking. The remarkable thing about forgiveness is that it is an empowering change agent not only for the person forgiven, but especially for the one who forgives. It can ultimately lead to greater wellbeing and emotional health.

• Exercise Stress-resiliency:

Research shows that chronic stress can have many ill effects on the mind and body, causing all kinds of emotional and physical health ailments. We all experience stress at times. Knowing how to handle the stress in your life is important. Try coming up with a personal stress management plan to help so that your stress doesn’t become overwhelming or harmful to your mind or body. First identify what is causing the stressor(s), then come up with a plan. If stress is becoming problematic for you seek some assistance.

• Learn to Embrace the Present Moment:

The truth is all we really have is the present moment we are in. So why not try and embrace this moment. I am not suggesting that we don’t plan for tomorrow, but I am suggesting that we take more time to be focused on the time we have right now. Instead of letting your thoughts carry you away or being hurried by the next appointment try staying engaged in what is going on in your immediate surroundings. In the words of Thomas Merton, Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.

• Dwell on Good Thoughts, Feelings and Experiences:

Research in neuroscience is showing that we can rewire our brains. What we spend time thinking, feeling and experiencing impacts brain neurochemistry. If we learn to dwell on events, emotions and experiences that are positive and good our brains can take on a different shape allowing us to exhibit more resiliency, optimism, and strength.

• Become a Better Lover of People:

I made this one of my goals a few years back when I realized I had a lot of growing yet to do in this area. It’s definitely easier to love the lovable, but what about those we don’t agree with. The neighbor who get’s on our nerves, the co-worker who doesn’t do their share of the work. Try being more compassionate to those in need, exercise mercy where there is none, be sensitive and kind-hearted to the down and out. If we all tried to be more intentional about loving better I believe we would be living our best selves. Mother Teresa left us with some wonderful words about love, Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

• Pursue Your Life Calling:

I have written extensively on calling. My belief is that when you identify your calling and are living the life you are created for you experience great joy and fulfillment. If you are not sure what your calling is aim to make 2015 a year to get closer to that which stirs your heart’s greatest desire. The thing that gives your life purpose, meaning and a sense of destiny.

I am hoping and praying that 2015 is our best year ever!