Stop Existing. Start Living.
Go to school, get a job, make a living and lot of money. That seems to always be the suggested ingredients to making a good life. I’ve come to realize however, it’s just not that simple. Drake was on to something when he said, “everybody dies but not everybody lives.” Although there’s nothing wrong with making a living, life should encompass more. Our goal should be to build a legacy founded on our life’s divine purpose. If you’re ready to truly live life to the full, here are the five things you need to do:
1.) Be Purpose-Driven
Life is too short not to love what you do and to do what you love. If you awake every morning and ask yourself why, it may be time to do some serious soul-searching. A paycheck and benefits can’t be the only reason you do what you do. Now, I do not hate on those who work a 9-5 because I do as well. I am a single woman parenting and I needed consistency to create stability for my child. However, during a very difficult time in my life I was very clear that I had not come this far to just do something I didn’t love to appease my family or onlookers. And it was at that moment, I truly began to live.
God, the Creator, the Universe has assigned to each of us a divine purpose. You’d be surprised how many people transition into the next life without ever finding or living theirs. Please don’t let that be you! Ask yourself, “What am I passionate about? What makes my soul feel free? What issues incite a deep emotional reaction?” Your purpose usually lies within these questions.
2.) Be of Service
I think Mother Maya Angelou said it best in her quote, “When we learn, teach. When we get, give.” It’s become quite apparent that we live in a “selfie” generation. It’s all about you, what you do, who you know, and what you have. However, if it was based on how much we gave, many would be at the bottom of totem pole.
Don’t spend your whole life only investing in things that benefit you. Selfish ambition may make you rich but it won’t make you happy. Serving a purpose bigger than ourselves gives our lives meaning. Our time, talent, and treasure should be used to encourage and empower others. Giving builds our character, fortifies our sense of self-worth, and reinforces our desire for human connection. Contributing to the greater good produces unwavering hope not only in us but for the ones we serve as well. So if you’re looking for a powerful way to shift gears, become a volunteer and be of service.
3.) Take Time to Travel
At the tender age of 16, my mom purchased my first passport and I was off to Spain. From that experience on I knew I wanted to see the world. Three years later my travel ambitions came to a screeching halt after giving birth to my daughter. Life took over, like it does for many of us, and traveling became trips to see relatives during the holidays or for family reunions. Now, almost sixteen years later, I’m ready to again grab my passport and EXPLORE!
There is nothing like experiencing life through the lens of different cultures. New adventures provide you with a break from the mundane and supply you with that often much needed spark of inspiration. You may regret a lot of things in life but traveling abroad will never be one of them. Start making plans now! No excuses. No seriously, where we going?
4.) Never Stop Learning
Recently, I had a conversation with a lawyer who said he was going to enroll in culinary school because he loves to cook. I asked if he hated his current profession. He emphatically answered “NO! I love what I do. I just love to cook too. So I figured I’d find a community college or somewhere that offers classes a few nights a week.”
I’m sure the young man I was having the conversation with didn’t think twice about what he was sharing. But, to me it was so profound. Many people will desire to box us in to one thing, however, we should never let that stop us. If you’re passionate about something, pursue it no matter how trivial it may appear to others. Always be open to learning new things even it’s just a beloved hobby. It will help you to create balance when the pressures of “making a living” feel overwhelming. Whether it’s cooking, baking, yoga, or crochet, we should have something we love to do just for the fun of it. So what are you waiting on? Find that class and get to learning something new.
5.) Never Stop Loving
When nothing else could help, love lifted me. Ah yes, the notorious “L” word. Where would we be without L-O-V-E? Some of us may be tempted respond a whole lot further. No but seriously, love is the most cathartic emotion one could ever experience. Love ignites every element of our being. When we allow love to find us, it’s like a breath of fresh air. Its fire (passion) purifies us and teaches us self-discipline. It cleanses us like water and like earth it can provide a solid foundation to ground and grow us. Love makes us fragile, vulnerable, and yet powerful and purposeful at the same time.
The greatest gift God gave us was our ability to love. Although I’m sure we’ve all had some bad experiences whether it is with family, friends, or lovers, we can’t let it make us cold and cynical about love. We all deserve to love and be love. So don’t build a wall so high no one can get around it, not even you. Guard yourself by knowing your boundaries and using discernment. But always keep your heart open to give and receive love.
Okay! Did I miss anything? What else do you do to create a beautiful life, to stop existing and start living? Share in the comments below…
Reese LaFrances is Certified Life Coach, Award-Winning Social Entrepreneur, and Founder/President of the Young Women Professionals League. Find her online at www.reeselafrances.com.