Ten ideas to live by

Here are 10 thoughts to motivate, challenge and encourage you so you can make the most of your life now.

by Ada Porat — 

Living your best life is all about making the most of what you have right now. Sometimes we need to clean the cobwebs from our thinking to do just that. Here are 10 thoughts to motivate, challenge and encourage you so you can make the most of your life now:

1. Nobody knows why anybody does anything. You do not have to figure out why your neighbor ignores you or what happened to someone as a child to make her so mean. We humans are products of both our nature and our nurture. Most of the time, we do things simply because we can, so stop the over-analysis. Let it go and do not take things personally.
2. Nobody owes you a thing. Life is a gift, not an entitlement. You could never repay the time, love and support it took to get where you are today. Loved ones, teachers and peers believed in you, challenged you and pushed you to become who you are. So, the real question is not what you can get from life, but what you can give back in return.
3. You will be balanced when you are dead — not a moment sooner. We chase balance like the Holy Grail, but it is the cyclical nature of change that adds momentum to life. If you are passionate about something, you may well want more of it in your life. Your kids will not turn into losers if you miss a few softball practices. Exercise is often overrated, and TV is not evil incarnate.
4. Multi-tasking is an oxymoron. Do not be intimidated by people who do five things at once. Studies show that we do not actually do more than one thing at a time. We simply switch our attention rapidly between projects and, as a result, we compromise on the quality of our output. Choose to be masterfully present with one thing at a time, instead of trying to be a jack-of-all-trades.
5. You do not deserve anything you have. If in doubt, go back to number two. Entitlement is really unattractive. No matter how hard you have worked or planned, it is delusional to think that you are in complete control of the outcomes. God, circumstance, the actions of others and timing all play big parts in your success, so skip the entitlement and practice gratitude for what life brings.
6. You are ordinary. Relax, this is a compliment. Ordinary people are reliable, industrious and consistent. Superstars are often obnoxious, especially when their egos take over. Who would you rather call at 2 a.m. when your car breaks down — Tony Robbins or your brother-in-law?
7. You are not a victim; you are a volunteer. The old saying that nobody can take advantage of you without your permission is true. We teach people how to treat us. If you do not want something to happen, do not set it up in the first place.
8. You are right: Life is not fair. Life is more random than we could have ever imagined. It is also interesting and instructive when you keep an open mind.
9. There is no meantime. No place exists where time stands still and standards are lowered to keep you in your comfort zone. There is only you and life at this very moment. What are you doing with your life now?
10. Gratitude is next to Godliness. Cleanliness is way down the list. I have yet to encounter someone at the end of life who regrets a lack of cleanliness, but many regret the opportunities for gratitude they passed up. Look for things you can be grateful for and you will be amazed at how many more blessings show up.

Ada Porat is an energy kinesiologist and life coach who helps people live their best lives. 602-283-4628 or http://AdaPorat.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 32, Number 1, February/March 2013.