Thursday, April 28, 2011

Monthly Mindfulness- May


I am an endless possibility and a work in progress. I'm constantly striving towards personal growth and enlightenment, toward integrating the physical, mental, and spiritual parts of my being into optimal health...and having fun while I do it. Mostly, I strive towards reaching my full potential and I hope to encourage others to do the same. See, I'm a seeker.  I want to live the most amazing life I could ever imagine. I want to create my life. Rather than let life happen to me, I want to happen to life. And I have a plan.... sort of. 

I realize that life is a one-time deal. Each moment I have is the only chance I will ever have to experience that moment, so why not suck every bit of goodness from it? Why shouldn't I live the most amazing, beautiful, brilliant life imaginable? Why shouldn't you? (hint: there is no answer to this question. you should)

Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal
My plan is to focus on 12 main areas of my life. Each month I plan to map out steps in some of the categories that would take me toward my ideal life. My first step is developing a better sense of clarity on what, exactly, I want from life and exactly why I want it. Sure, I got all the obvious stuff down- I want to be happy and successful- I know all the basics. I want more. I don't want an ordinary life. I will not settle for less than extraordinary. And I (begrudgingly) realize that I am the only one who can do anything about it. I have to take responsibility for my own health, happiness, and life. I am responsible for reaching my own potential. (deep breath, deep breath, positive affirmation. I can do this).

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. ~Ferris Bueller

The 12 Life Categories:

1) Health and Fitness
2) Intellectual Life
3) Emotional Life
4) Character
5) Spiritual Life
6) Love Relationships
7) Parenting
8) Social Life
9) Financial Life
10) Career
11) Quality of Life
12) My Life Vision

Obviously, I could write an entire blog about each one, let alone a single post about several. For starters, this is where I'm going to begin for the month of May. 

Health and Fitness
This one should be a no brainer. Health is literally a matter of life and death. If youre not living, youre dying. You are either moving toward health, or toward sickness. We are never stagnant, and every decision we make determines which direction we are going. During this month, I will increase my Power Hour from 3 days a week to 4. (Crap, did I just say that out loud? Nothin like a little blogging to really hold me accountable... ugh)

Intellectual Life
I have a bad  habit of starting an intellectual book and not finishing it before I move on to the next one. I tend to read them too quickly to really integrate the information. This month, I'm going to finish the book I just started. "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. Something tells me we'll be hearing more about this one... Has anybody else read this? Great book!

Emotional Life
This is simple. More positive affirmations.

Character
This is the foundation of who I am as a person, the sum total of my personality. The path you take in life is based (for good or bad) on your character. Building character is like shaping ourselves in the image of your values. I do know what my values are. This month I'd like to increase awareness of aspects of myself, or my behaviors, that are not congruent with my values and beliefs. I have a couple guesses about where this will end up by the end of the month. Stay tuned. 


Technically, this is the first time I've done this. In black and white. Normally it's just in my head. I've been meaning to put together a binder with each category outlined, complete with pictures and motivational quotes..... hold up. Lets add that to my list too. This month, I will follow through with developing my binder. Yes, I said that out loud.


Actively creating consciousness in these twelve areas, like everything else, is a work in progress. I look forward to hearing your ideas about how you cultivate consciousness in your lives, and if you have any suggestions for me along the way.

2 comments:

  1. Mercedes I miss you like crazy. There aren't too many people in my life that is as deep and emotional (in a good way of course) as you. Not everyone can openly discuss life and happiness and how to improve it for themselves, let alone have an actual plan on how to achieve it. One of the many things I love about you!!! I love having that connection with you, even though we're hours apart and don't get to talk as often as we'd like. I do feel REALLY proud that I made your blog when talking about the triathlon and fitness. Hugs girl!!! Kim A.

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  2. Awe thanks Kim. I miss you too! Sometimes (often) when I'm running, I pretend youre next to me making me go jjuuussttt a little farther. Hugs back at ya!

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