Keep it Simple--Create the Life You Want

 

"Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail." Henry Wheeler Shaw

Adults: Kids in Big Bodies

Just look at Mirandah Powell's playful dog and happy girl enjoying each other's company. It's all just a moment of good fun. Doesn't it make you want to join in--and why not?

As grownups, we are just kids in big bodies. We never lose our desire to relax and enjoy a moment of fun. Deep inside we carry with us all the same wishes and desires we had as children.

• We want to love and be loved.
• We want to play.
• We want playmates.
• We want play dates.
• We want to belong and be accepted.
• We want to be on the team and asked to play.
• We don't want to be left out or left behind.
• We don't want to be bullied.
• We want to be liked.
• We want to have best friends.
• We want to feel good.
• We want to be safe.

These deeply held desires stemming from that place of child-like innocence are pure, untainted, and uncomplicated--unlike the adult veneer we use to cover them up.

'Life gets more complicated', we say when we become adults. 'Sometimes you just have to put up with things, keep your mouth shut and just go away.'

But if you find you're going away feeling angry, hostile, hurt, lonely, fearful or jealous--take another look at the list of child-like wishes to see if there is one that is not currently being met in your life. Does one or more of the core desires cause a longing in you and stir up old wounds? Where do you feel you're being left out or left behind?

"We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality." Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Adults have Choices--Take Action on What Matters to You

As an adult you have choices. You can chose to change what isn't working for you or meeting your needs. If your current personal or work situation fails to meet your needs, change something. Make it a habit to improve your situation when you are unsatisfied with it. Strive to put more good stuff into your life and make less room for the nasty stuff.

• Is your workplace soul-killing? Start looking for a healthier one.
• Is your love interest playing games that create self-doubt and loneliness in you? Get back out there and find a better match for you. Don't shut down--open yourself up to new experiences.
• Have your friends moved on and you're feeling left out? Get out and find activities to engage in to meet more people. Everyone wants friends to hang out with.
• Have you retired and lost that sense of being part of a team or community? Explore options for getting involved in community activities or volunteering.

What's in Your Adult Sandbox?

Don't just passively resign yourself to the life you have if it isn't meeting your needs. Get out there and do something different. Like Miranda's happy girl, find yourself a play pal.

Start by looking at what is and is not in your sandbox. What does your current work or personal play yard contain for you? What are they missing? What needs to be eliminated?

You Learn What You Live

 

If you live with criticism, you learn to condemn.

 

If you live with hostility, you learn to fight.

 

If you live with ridicule, you learn to be shy.

 

If you live with shame, you learn to feel guilty.

 

If you live with tolerance, you learn to be patient.

 

If you live with encouragement, you learn confidence.

 

If you live with praise, you learn to appreciate.

 

If you live with fairness, you learn justice.

 

If you live with security, you learn to have faith.

 

If you live with approval, you learn to like yourself.

 

If you live with acceptance and friendship, you learn to find love in the world.

 

Modified from 'Children Learn What They Live' by Dorothy Law Nolte

What do you want more of in your life? How do you want to Live?

Keep it simple--Create the life you want.

Meet the Artist

 

 

 Mirandah Powell

The Dog Tile Art Project for the Jackson County Animal Shelter

 

Debi Blair's 3rd grade class at Walker Elementary school in Ashland, Oregon painted tiles to create a bright, cheerful entrance to the dog kennels at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Their creative and fun spirits come through in their art. Come on down to the Shelter to see what a difference their tile art makes.

"Dogs never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation." Jerome K. Jerome

 

Sign Up for Free E-mail updates

 

For more than 30 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes changing easier than ever before.

 

If you're interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the Lightarted Living mailing list. Sign up for free e-mail updates from this blog in the top right-hand corner of the page.