Cultivating a good life feels simple one day, and a complex art the next day. Everyone has different views on what it means to cultivate a good life, but of course many of us have a lot more in common than we realize. I frequently share my thoughts about cultivating a good life on facebook and twitter and my blog. This is a collection that includes much of what I've shared.
1. Part of cultivating a good life is cultivating patience. Be patient with others, be patient with God, be the *most* patient with your family, and certainly be patient with yourself. |
2. Part of cultivating a good life is making eye contact when you're having a conversation. This teeny, tiny thing is actually a big deal (if you ask me). |
3. Part of cultivating a good life is simply making good choices. I love what Jenny Meyerson tells her kids: "You are your choices." |
4. Part of cultivating a good life is approaching that big/daunting task in much smaller steps. One thing at a time. One foot in front of the other. |
5. Part of cultivating a good life is reading books, watching shows, visiting websites... that will uplift you. Don't waste time with media that steers you in the other direction. |
6. Part of cultivating a good life is participating in service (on my mind, as we're doing a humanitarian project tonight at church). |
7. Part of cultivating a good life is knowing that no matter what happens today, you have control of your outlook + attitude. |
8. Part of cultivating a good life is understanding that things don't change just because you wish they would. Do something. |
9. Part of cultivating a good life is making every little choice in such a way that you know, at the end of today, that you had no regrets. |
10. Part of cultivating a good life is turning off technology for a full day to be completely focused on a task. |
11. Part of cultivating a good life is doing the thing that feels daunting or difficult... but you know it's the right thing to do. |
12. Part of cultivating a good life is ACTING on that feeling or prompting that you should do a specific something. Don't procrastinate. |
13. Part of cultivating a good life is not being so hard on others. Those who tend to be critical of others usually come off as insecure. |
14. Part of cultivating a good life is taking care of yourself with proper sleep. If you're not getting enough, change something. (I know this is easier said than done.) |
15. Part of cultivating a good life is not over-scheduling our children (which tends to override family togetherness at home). |
16. Part of cultivating a good life is spending time with people who make you want to be a better you. |
17. Part of cultivating a good life is NOT procrastinating a simple thank-you that you owe someone. |
18. Part of cultivating a good life is scheduling play + rest, just as you schedule other things. Have a great weekend everyone! |
19. Part of cultivating a good life is taking TIME to step back and really assess what needs to change. |
20. Part of cultivating a good life is having a good sense of humor. |
21. Part of cultivating a good life is determining at least one thing you can do today that will make it a better day than yesterday. |
22. Part of cultivating a good life is allowing yourself to evolve and not get so "stuck" in a certain way of doing certain things. |
23. Part of cultivating a good life is writing a letter to someone once in a while. Like - actual, real handwriting. |
24. Part of cultivating a good life is complimenting your family members a lot... more than anyone else. |
25. Part of cultivating a good life is celebrating the little things. |
26. Part of cultivating a good life is not over-committing yourself in too many places. (I have to keep learning this one over + over.) |
27. Part of cultivating a good life - if you're married - is being 100% loyal to your spouse. |
28. Part of cultivating a good life is documenting your stories in a way that suits YOUR style + YOUR needs. |
29. Part of cultivating a good life is surrounding yourself with people who lift + inspire you + make you want to be a better version of you. |
30. Part of cultivating a good life is to try, try, try again. |
31. Part of cultivating a good life is being humble enough to recognize the source of all your blessings. |
32. Part of cultivating a good life is ASKING questions when you don't know something. This applies to secular, spiritual, relationships... everything. Just ask! |
33. Part of cultivating a good life is not being easily offended. If you receive criticism, think: What can I learn from this? |
34. Part of cultivating a good life is recognizing when it may be time to let something drop off our to-do list - especially during the holidays. |
35. Part of cultivating a good life is putting favorite photographs within your everyday surroundings as a constant reminder of your blessings. |
36. Part of cultivating a good life is remembering that you're not always right. |
37. Part of cultivating a good life is focusing on what you DO have, instead of what you don't. |
38. Part of cultivating a good life is not expecting that others will feel/think/act the way you would. |
39. Part of cultivating a good life is not multi-tasking so much. Or ever. I know that's hard. I need this reminder big time. |
40. Part of cultivating a good life is moderation in all things |
41. Part of cultivating a good life is cranking up the music once in a while (our morning routine often includes a dance party). |
42. Part of cultivating a good life is not gossiping. Gossip is poison that benefits NO one. Ever. |
43. Part of cultivating a good life is singing. You don't have to have a great voice or do it in public. Even humming counts. : ) |
44. Part of cultivating a good life is being realistic about time. Don't say that something will take you 10 minutes when you KNOW it'll be 20. |
45. Part of cultivating a good life is keeping the Sabbath day holy. Rest, worship, service, or whatever it is you do to honor the Sabbath. |
46. Part of cultivating a good life is serving. Stepping outside of yourself + giving of your time, resources and talents is part of what gives us PURPOSE. |
47. Part of cultivating a good life is constantly looking for TEACHING moments with your kids. (Feeling this especially after such a good/important chat with Porter on the way to school today.) |
48. Part of cultivating a good life is de-cluttering the stuff (and not just the physical things) in your life that really are junk. |
49. Part of cultivating a good life is recognizing what your talents are and using them to bless the lives of others. Don't tell me you're not talented. I don't buy that for a second. : ) |
50. Part of cultivating a good life is not taking things personally. 99% of the time, it has nothing to do with you at all. |
51. Part of cultivating a good life is remembering that you can't rely on anyone to make you happy. Happiness is a personal + proactive CHOICE. |
52. Part of cultivating a good life is appreciating where you live. Sure, there are other places you could be happy but BE HAPPY WHERE YOU ARE. |
53. Part of cultivating a good life is getting out of your comfort zone once in a while. How else are you going to grow + learn + evolve? |
54. Part of cultivating a good life is facing a new day with the attitude that there are important life lessons to be learned today. |
55. Part of cultivating a good life is taking breaks. |
56. Part of cultivating a good life is understanding that no other success can compensate for failure in the home. (David O. McKay) |
57. Part of cultivating a good life is having integrity. You know what's right and what's wrong. Don't justify bad choices. |
58. Part of cultivating a good life is bringing out the best in others. As you recognize their strengths, try to emphasize, utilize, and help them foster growth in those areas. |
59. Part of cultivating a good life is making sure your spouse knows they are #1 in your life. If necessary, make changes to be sure the message is loud and clear. |
60. Part of cultivating a good life is being HAPPY for others when they have successes, especially those close to you. |
61. Part of cultivating a good life is trying really, really hard to see people the way God sees them. With this perspective, we would be a whole lot more patient + kind. |
62. Part of cultivating a good life is PLANNING for one-on-one time with each child on a regular basis. Don't count on it happening accidentally. |
63. Part of cultivating a good life is being conscientiously and proactively aware of how blessed we are. |
64. Part of cultivating a good life is taking constructive criticism as just that. It's hard to not be defensive, but do try to learn from it. |
65. Part of cultivating a good life is beautifying the space around you. This doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money either. |
66. Part of cultivating a good life is moderation in all things. |
67. Part of cultivating a good life is being willing to let others help you when they genuinely offer. |
68. Part of cultivating a good life is using your God-given talents to serve others for no personal gain. And don't think that you don't have talents. You most certainly do. |
69. Part of cultivating a good life is being patient. This includes being patient with yourself. |
70. Part of cultivating a good life is putting first things first. |
71. Part of cultivating a good life is not letting yourself get overwhelmed by the big sum of things. As my mom always told me, take it one step at a time. |
72. Part of cultivating a good life is GIVING compliments to others. Not just thinking them. |
73. Part of cultivating a good life is recognizing what needs to change in your life. And change it. |
74. Part of cultivating a good life is getting sufficient sleep. I know a lot of us struggle with this. May you have a restful weekend! |
75. Part of cultivating a good life is forgetting yourself sometimes + serving others. |
76. Part of cultivating a good life is doing your best to keep a "house of order". Minimize the chaos - for your sake, and your family's sake. |
77. Part of cultivating a good life is continually + proactively dating your spouse. Always. |
78. Part of cultivating a good life is loving people for who they are. Please refrain from nit-picking about other people's imperfections. |
79. Part of cultivating a good life is have a healthy self-image and instilling the same in your children. Don't say things that would make them feel less beautiful than they really are. |
80. Part of cultivating a good life is... letting it go. Today is a great day to forgive someone. |
81. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just STOP. Stop what you're doing. Switch gears. Come back to it a few minutes or a few days later. |
82. Remember: Our kids are so very likely to take on the attitudes we have. About life, about people, about situations. |
83. Part of cultivating a good life is being quick to apologize. |
84. Part of cultivating a good life is managing your weaknesses. Sometimes we can't fully "escape" our weaknesses, but we sure can manage them. |
