Life comes with lessons. Some we learn the hard way (Miami in July, a newfound appreciation for SPF) and some we just try hard to remember (seriously, does anyone actually cut the tags off their pillows?). Every situation provides it’s own kind of lesson, and at Journey, we’ve got a few words of wisdom to help you better navigate the wild and crazy ride that is life.
Life is about the journey, not just the destination.
C’mon, you know we had to lead with this. Our name is Journey Meditation, after all. But this is about more than us, it’s about your life experience. It’s easy to get caught up in the get-’er-done/hustle so hard mindset, but when all you do is focus on the end result, you miss out on the good stuff: life.
Make yourself a priority.
Between your best friend’s existential crisis and your dog’s need to keep peeing on your living room floor, it can feel like there’s little time for li’l ol’ you. You already know all the reasons why it’s important to make yourself a priority (your own physical health, mental well-being, and emotional balance), and the better you take care of yourself the better you’ll be able to serve others.
Appreciate the little things in life.
It’s easy to cram a lot into a day and lose sight of the moments that make it up. Like the big smile you always get from the guy who sells coffee to the compliment on your new haircut from Jessica in accounting. It’s the small stuff that makes the big stuff so meaningful, and the only way to truly appreciate major life events—like getting married, becoming partner, or traveling on your dream vacation—is to appreciate life’s little things.
Find your purpose and take action.
Everyone’s life has meaning, and it’s up to each of us to find it. Your purpose may be to make America laugh, throw the fastest curveball or find a cure for malaria. Or it may be to become a father or neighborhood leader. Our lives are part of an interdependent ecosystem where each of us has a role. You know what they say, no small parts, only small actors, and it’s true. Look within and consider what your purpose is, then go after it with all you’ve got.
Be kind to yourself and others.
Do we really need to explain this one? Yeah, didn’t think so.
Make the world a better place.
That’s all it takes to make the world a better place — doing something positive for another person. You don’t need Bill Gates money or Nobel Peace Prize power to affect change in the world, all you need is the willingness to give and the commitment to do good. Hug your grandma, pick up trash, help a kid learn how to read. You’ll be amazed at how much better the world will start to look.
Being kind to yourself can be one of the hardest things to figure out – that should have some exposition for those who have not practiced in the past.