“How do we live fully so we are ready to die?”

Ann Voskamp

 

5 Ways to Live Fully

1) Be “love” to others.

Forgive and encourage others. How can you make a difference in someone’s life today? Here are some other helpful ideas on how to love others: CouchSurfing, 15 people who make a positive difference in the world, and 7 ways on how to show compassion.

2) Live fully where you are at.

Do you ever think you will be happier living abroad in Europe? That vacationing on the beaches of Hawaii will make you happier? Honestly, happiness can be found in your own backyard if you give your eyes the permission to see the treasures you are blessed with in your life. Be thankful for the good and the bad. (Click here for 5 Guidance Questions on How to be a Greatful Thanker.) If you want to fully live the one life you were given than you need to examine your mind set. The alternative is, being miserable; who wants that? An easy applicable way to start being thankful today is to take pictures using Instagram, a photo application. For me, Instagram is a place where I capture small details that make me smile while living abroad in China. You can follow my expat life at aprilmaura. Are you living out the life you were created to live? Are you doing a job that you love?  Slow down from your busy life, experience the moment and notice the details. Prayer helps me focus on stopping and talking to God to be in the current moment. Treat your life like a dessert.

3) Dress yourself up just because.

Dressing yourself up even when it’s not a special occasion will give you a happiness booster. Recognize your worth, know your value.

4) Study people who you admire.

Who in your life do you know that is generally a really happy person? Who do you know that has a skill that you admire? What does that person do? I personally admire Jasmine Star, a wedding photographer. I love her style of photography and how she markets her brand. I am trying to micmic her pathway to success. Remember that following someone you admire is the biggest form of flattery. Have a mentor in your life and be a mentor to someone.

5) Mark your progress.

Feeling accomplished is quite fulfilling. Stretch yourself, see what you are capable of. Try to eliminate meaningless task. Learn how to goal set. For example, my goal this year is to read 36 books, that’s three books a month. So far I have read 13 books. Having my goal broken down and keeping track helps me see how much progress I have made to accomplishing my goal. Making head way feels great! It’s May, are you still tracking your year goals or evaluating them?

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it,

but that it is too low and we reach it.

Michelangelo

 

10,000 Smiles

One of my biggest goals this year is staying on track with finishing my 10,000 Smiles Project. That requires me posting at least two post a week of 100 pictures. On each batch of 100 pictures you can place your vote of your favorite smile at the end of the post. You can also follow the project on Facebook and Twitter (aprilmaura). Hearing your compliments and thoughts is encouraging for me on days I don’t want to go out and take pictures or when I hear a lot of nos. For those of you who are following the progress of this large project I thank you for your support and encouragement. Reading your thoughtful comments below brings a smile to my face. Thank you.

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