I just wrote a post about assess our daily patterns to determine what enriches us and what deflates us as we all want to move in the direction of greater enrichment rather than deflation. Now I want to apply that analysis to my own life.
Language
As I write, I talk. I have been chastised for talking too much since my earliest days when my mom and dad likely tired of my persistant analysis and questioning of the world around me. Teachers on the playground similarly sighed when I would get close and begin asking lots of questions rather than playing with the other children. Brothers and sisters also cowered when playtime was usurped by a lot of language. I was always trying to make sense of my world, and using lots of language to do that.
Now, in older age, I can see how that language, for some, was oppressive--too much language is too difficult for many to process. In general, people like language to be simply stated. Also, words have great power, and when used well, we can make significant impact, but when used poorly, we can do great harm. Having the ability to blog has been a great avenue for all my thinking because people can read the posts if they want or not. I can also refer and build on my analyses easily by looking back at old posts and assessing the impact and progress of those thoughts.
Moving forward I want to think deeply about who I am speaking with and what I am saying. I want to discern individual's capacity and openness to language and how much is too much versus what is a just right use of words. How we use language matters, and it is an area of life's routines, I want to consider with greater precision.
Actions
Over time I've adopted many actions that truly enrich life. Some of my favorite actions include the following:
Morning reflections: Every morning I read, write, and think. I love the way this daily routine energizes and empowers what I can do.
Healthy, unrushed meals: With more time, I've stopped rushing so much with regard to daily meals, and taking the time to prepare healthy, nutritious, delicious meals and eat them in an unhurried way has defiitely improved my life. I believe society does not take this practice of good living seriously enough and that leads to some of the stress that occurs.
Good sleep patterns: Healthy sleep patterns truly energize and enrich our lives.
Intimacy: Making time for intimate connections with loved ones in multiple ways empowers who we are. If we don't make time to be with our most beloved friends and family members, we do not live a life that is as rich as it can be.
Socialization and fun: We need time to have fun and be together--finding what brings us joy and engaging in those activities regularly matter.
Problem solving and creativity: We have to give oursevles time to research the problems that speak to us, and then work at creatively solving those problems. This endeavor brings our lives meaning and future good living.
Family meetings and letters: Regularly meeting with or communicating with family members fosters a strong commitment to one another by keeping everyone up to date with valuable family information with regard to each others' focus, dreams, priorities, struggles, an need for support. Knowing each other well helps us to support one another well too.
Contribution: Regular patterns of giving to one another in ways that are meaningful enriches the lives of all involved.
Thoughts
Positive self talk and good thought patterns empower us. We have to rid our lives of the kinds of thought patterns learned or adopted that take us down.
I will continue to assess the patterns and routines in my life as one way to live a richer, more fulfilling life. This practice holds great capacity.