Pt. 5 Leveling Up - Life to the fullest!
Let’s get to the expert level together. Let’s respond in love, believe the best in people, and wake up each day ready to smile. The lens through which we view life becomes our experience!
#15: Like yourself and love your life
Like yourself and love your life! Don’t just love yourself because you’re “supposed to”, but rather start thinking about what you like about yourself. When you like yourself, you’re being a good friend to yourself and will automatically develop positive and empowering ways to approach situations. Instead of condemning and judging, imagine giving yourself the same level of kindness, compliments, encouragement, and care you would give others.
#16: Change is inevitable, growth is optional
Change is an unavoidable part of life, but growth is a choice. Change can come in the form of new aspects of your career, kids moving in or out of your home, and even friendships and relationships. We must accept that change is inevitable and that it can often bring with it unexpected challenges. However, we do not need to be passive observers of our own lives. Change can be an opportunity to grow and develop, to become a better version of ourselves. Growth is not guaranteed, and it requires effort and dedication. It is up to us to decide what we want to do with the changes that come our way, and to take the steps to make progress.
By recognizing and embracing change, we can open ourselves up to the possibility of growth and self-improvement. As long as we resist change, or a situation or a person, we give it the power of our attention. When we try not to think about something, our minds are not distracted by anything else. This means that whatever thought or emotion that we are trying not to think about can become more prominent in our minds, creating a “thought loop” that can make it harder to ignore. This can lead to the experience of the thought or emotion becoming worse.
If you run away from something it runs after you! When we remain undisturbed and refuse to give undue time and energy to a problem or a challenge, we have set ourselves up for the best life. It is important to recognize that you are in control of your thoughts, feelings, and behavior and that no one has power over you unless you give it to them.
#17: Daily Dealing
When you keep sweeping things under the rug, you’re going to trip over the mess you’ve made. Sweeping problems is not solving problems!
Grievances can often lead to turmoil in a relationship. Admitting that you're offended in a relationship is beneficial for a variety of reasons. It helps to build mutual trust and respect in the relationship and to create a safe environment for open, honest communication. It enables both of you to address the issues that are offending and to come to an understanding of each other's feelings. It also allows the offended person to take ownership of their feelings and to be open to resolving the conflict and strengthening the relationship. Ultimately, admitting that you're offended in a relationship is an important step in building a strong and lasting connection.
The best way to have a difficult or awkward conversation and achieve a good resolution is, to be honest, and open. Try to be clear and concise in what you are trying to communicate, and be open to listening to the other person's perspective. Approach the conversation with respect, and actively seek to understand their point of view. Try to focus on finding a solution together, rather than focusing on assigning blame. Finally, be willing to compromise, and be open to making concessions if necessary.
#18 The Four L’s: Communication starters
Fun and lively conversation is an important part of any relationship because it allows friends and families to connect on an emotional level and create positive memories together. It's a way of expressing love and enjoying one another's company. It helps to keep the spark alive, improve communication, and make the relationship stronger. Fun conversations can also relieve stress and bring laughter into a relationship, which is always beneficial. Take time to discuss:
This is what I loved about my day
This is what I learned today
This is a low of my day
This is what made me laugh today
Having strong relationships is essential to living the life Jesus leads us into, by loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. . By taking time to focus on leveling up our relationships – by developing our sense of feeling secure, and having open and honest conversations, and consistently demonstrating our appreciation for those we care about – we can ensure that our relationships are growing and thriving.
When we put in the effort to level up our relationships, the rewards we receive will be well worth it.
Hear more about this on Episode 150 of the “All About Relationships” podcast with Bob and Audrey.