The Practice of Living Life: Embracing the Journey to Fulfilment

Living life fully is not just about achieving external success or ticking off items on a to-do list. It’s not about achieving goals that you shout out to the world and reaching that $$$$$ bucket list. It’s a nuanced practice that involves a deep understanding of ourselves, our beliefs, and our interactions with the world around us. It’s about embracing the journey and committing to the process of personal growth. Here’s a closer look at what I believe it means to truly practice living life and how you can integrate these principles into your daily existence.

1. The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Our experience of life is often shaped by the stories we tell ourselves. Depending on their nature and your experiences, these narratives can be either empowering or limiting. From childhood, we’re exposed to various stories, some that we internalise and others that we’ve inherited from society or family. To practice living life fully, we must start by recognising these stories and questioning their validity. Are they helping us grow, or are they holding us back? Whose version is this?

2. Comparing Internal Self to External Appearances

It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing our internal experiences with the seemingly perfect external appearances of others. Social media and societal standards often showcase only the highlights of others' lives, making it tempting to measure our worth against an idealised version of reality. The practice of living life involves understanding that everyone has their struggles, and that true fulfilment comes from focusing on our own journey rather than comparing ourselves to others. Are you a better person today than who you were yesterday?

3. Integrating the Whole Self

Many of us are familiar with the "right-brained" or "left-brained" concept, which implies that we are either creative and intuitive or logical and analytical. However, the practice of living life involves embracing the entirety of who we are. Instead of confining ourselves to one mode of thinking, we can benefit from integrating both sides of our brain, fostering a balanced and holistic approach to problem-solving and self-expression. This archaic belief is one that I have challenged over the years and, depending on what circumstance we cross paths, I can promise you that you will assume I am one or the other and be very confident in your decision. However, I work with both and have learnt the art of how we can all do this when we practise “living life”

4. Embracing Challenges

Life is full of challenges and our response to them can significantly impact our growth. Being good with being challenged means approaching difficulties with an open mind and seeing them as opportunities for learning rather than obstacles. This mindset helps us navigate tough situations with resilience and grace. I have explored the journey of challenges and obstacles and have begun to understand the discomfort that we sit in in these moments. However, that is usually because we sit in our brain and look for reason or logic, rather that being grateful for the lens of a different perspective.

5. Navigating Difficult Conversations

Having difficult conversations is an essential part of living authentically. Tough conversations allow us to address differences, clear misunderstandings, and grow from diverse perspectives. Embracing these discussions, even if uncomfortable, is crucial for personal development and for nurturing healthy relationships. It enables us to become creative and accepting of differences knowing that these differences are not an attack on us personally but simply a way in which someone experiences or sees the situation or circumstance we are involved in.

6. Sitting in Discomfort

In a similar way, personal growth often requires us to sit with discomfort. It’s in these moments of unease that we become more conscious of our current state and the areas that need our attention. By allowing ourselves to experience discomfort without immediately seeking escape, we can gain deeper insights into ourselves and make more informed choices. I call this being intentionally conscious and present and allowing ourselves the opportunity to learn more about who we are and who we choose to become.

7. The Art of Silence

Sometimes, the most profound insights come from silence rather than constant dialogue. The art of silence involves choosing when to speak and when to listen, allowing us to better understand both others and ourselves. It’s not about withholding knowledge but about recogniing that not every situation requires verbal validation of what we know.

8. Depth of Listening

True listening goes beyond hearing words; it involves understanding the underlying emotions and intentions behind them. When we listen to better understand rather than to respond, we create a space for deeper connections and more meaningful interactions. This practice enhances our empathy and helps us respond more thoughtfully.

9. Viewing Challenges as Lessons

Challenges can be seen as lessons rather than punitive experiences. When we approach difficulties with this mindset, we can extract valuable lessons without being bogged down by negative emotions. It’s about taking away the wisdom from each challenge and moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose. These lessons will keep repeating until the lesson is what we take forward with us.

10. The Gift of Letting Go

Letting go is a powerful practice in becoming the person we choose to be. It involves releasing old beliefs, habits, and attachments that no longer serve us. By letting go, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and allow ourselves to evolve into our best selves. Until we are truly ready to let go, we stay stuck in a loop and keep asking ourselves the same questions.

11. Beliefs and Outcomes

Our beliefs significantly influence our outcomes. If we hold limiting beliefs, they can constrain our potential and shape our reality in negative ways. By understanding that our beliefs reflect our outcomes, we can work on shifting them towards more positive and empowering perspectives. I believe we all have the ability to quantum leap to our future self, however the first step is to be ok with leaving behind the imprints of the past so that you step forward into the person you have chosen to become.

12. The Pain of Change vs. The Pain of Staying the Same

Often change only becomes a viable option when the pain of staying in our current situation outweighs the pain of change. Recognising this dynamic can help us understand why we sometimes resist change and how we can motivate ourselves to take necessary steps toward transformation. It’s about reaching a point where the desire for change surpasses our comfort with the status quo.

Commitment to the Practice

The practice of living life is not about sporadically applying these principles and expecting change. It requires a deep commitment to integrating these practices into our daily lives, I’m talking more than 95% of the time. It’s about being part of a collective that recognises that true transformation comes from a sustained commitment to personal growth and self-awareness. Embrace the journey, stay committed, and watch as your life unfolds in ways you never imagined.