Think about it - there is an art to everything and living well is
no exception. Of any art, this would be the one to master since it
encompasses all the others.
The art of living
well is to make your life an expression of who you
are, what you believe, and your hopes, dreams and desires. Of
course, to create your life as a work of art is an ongoing, evolving
and creative endeavor. And so it should be.
The difference between living well and just living would be
analogous to preparing a meal.
When you're hungry you can just throw something together from
whatever is handy without considering the nutritional value, taste or
visual appeal of the dish. You can shove something down that fills
your tummy and satisfies your immediate appetite.
Or, you can prepare a pleasing, nutritious, tasty meal that
not only satisfies your visual and practical needs, but also makes it
a joy to experience. Of course the second meal requires more thought,
planning, imagination and work in general, but the rewards are
exceedingly greater on every level.
So it is with life. You could live it indiscriminately not paying
attention to anything in particular, or you can make it a delicious,
nutritious treat.
How to make your life a
work of art:
Make each moment count and live it to the fullest.
When you get up in the morning decide to welcome all the
challenges and delights each day brings. Be aware that everything
you experience contributes to your knowledge, enjoyment and
understanding of life. Every activity can have meaning and purpose
and by acknowledging and recognizing it, you enrich your
participation in it.
Express yourself and create the life you want.
You are unique.
Express your individuality and share your observations and insights
with others. Make your surroundings a comfortable reflection of that
individuality and uniqueness. For instance, if you're a collector,
a sports fan or have a particular hobby, decorate your home with
artifacts and mementos that express that part of your personality.
It makes for good conversation and reveals something about you to
others.
Establish an open, accepting and appreciative mindset.
Prepare yourself for whatever comes your way. When you do,
the possibility of attracting adverse circumstances lessens because
of your willingness to stand up to and face what is. When you
maintain an open, accepting attitude life actually goes more
smoothly and without incident. It's as if you're daring life to
throw you a curve, but because you aren't afraid, it becomes
unnecessary and therefore loses its impact.
Be who you are and go after what you want.
Be comfortable with yourself
and don't be afraid to go after what you want. So many
opportunities are missed out of fear of failure (and success too)
and an unwillingness to take risks or put yourself on the line. Life
is too short to not give your best shot at something. Strive to
reach your potential.
The worst that can happen is you learn a valuable lesson.
Have a solid personal foundation balanced with relationships
with family, friends and the community.
We are social beings who need each other for comfort, support
and interaction. It's important to cultivate and value
all of our relationships and engage in activities that promote good
will and make the community, the country and ultimately the world a
better place.
You know you are living well when you:
Wake up in the morning and can't wait for the adventure that
lies ahead of you.
We can make an art of living well by expressing ourselves, being open
and receptive to new experiences, and by living each moment
to the fullest. We only need to decide to do so.
"The masters in the art of living make
little distinction between their work and their play, their labor and
their leisure, their minds and their bodies, their information, their
recreation, their love and their religion. They hardly know which is
which, they simply pursue their vision of excellence at whatever they
do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or
playing."
