There's nothing like the feeling that good energy brings. On Saturday morning, I was filled with good energy that translated into a terrific seaside bike ride. That felt great. What contributed to that good energy? The energy ingredients that day were perfect including ideal weather, a good night's sleep, beautiful scenery, a wonderful companion, a good bike and a doable course. Perfection!
I remember days of good energy in the classroom--a great learning experience, enthusiastic students, the right amount of support, apt supplies and timing, and just right synergy. Those were my favorite teaching days. Good energy at social events are memorable too--a party well planned, a meaningful reason to celebrate, good food, and cheer.
The best of life's events often depend on good energy. This point makes me wonder about how we can live in ways that maximize our positive energy as much as possible.
We all know what it's like to be thwarted by deflated energy. For example, recently I had a day full of positivity planned and then my energy was depleted by a series of unexpected events. I had to change my plans because I knew I could not achieve what I had planned with no energy. No energy would have turned positive events into disastrous events since I could not do that work without good energy, no way!
Some ways we can maximize good energy include the following:
Surround yourself with people that increase your good energy
I'm sure that we can all point to people that increase our good energy rather than deplete it. The more we can connect with those kinds of people, the better our energy will be.
Locate and create energy-producing environments at home and in the community
Notice the kinds of environments that energize you, and both locate and create those types of environments to feed your energy regularly.
Energizing goals and pursuits
All of us can point to goals and pursuits that were energizing. The kinds of objectives that make time fly. Fill your life with those kinds of goals and pursuits as much as possible--those kinds of events are typically activities that are true to who you are and the most alined with your best traits, talents, gifts, and capacity.
Avoid energy sucks
Clearly there are events, people, and pursuits that deplete our energy. We have to get underneath those energy-sucks to understand why and how they work. We also have to avoid or remake places that diminish our energy. For example, we had a very dark room in our home--it was a dismal place, but once we brightened it up with a fresh coat of paint, a new rug, and some good furniture, the place became a source of energy rather than an energy desert. Similarly, the kinds of activities we engage in with others can either suck the energy from us or them or increase our energy. I have one friend who hates long, laborious analysis, but loves outdoor adventure--so when we adventure together, energy triumphs, but if I enage in a long, laborious conversation with that person, energy wanes.
If we make good energy a focus of our living, we'll likely have more positive lives than if we continually place ourselves in positions that deplete our good energy. The search for good energy is a positive pursuit in life.