To live a good life….what does it mean to me?

For me it means getting out and exploring, doing and being! It also means being kind, doing good and celebrating this beautiful life I have.

This week has been a reflective week for me. It’s been 2 years since my stroke and brain surgery. A day does not go by that I am not grateful and thankful for how things turned out. That experience  motivated me to be more present and mindful. It also helped me realize that I don’t have to be in a constant 3 ring circus for my life to meaningful.

Recently, I realized that I was slipping back into my old habits and routines. I found myself doing things I’ve done before in ways that don’t serve me, doing things that don’t bring me joy, and doing things just to be busy. I need to keep moving forward and expanding my horizons, attitudes and experiences. I want to do new and different activities in fresh ways and stop worrying about doing them right or wrong or how I look doing them or if I even know what I am doing. I am embracing who I am and doing what I want no matter my age, my skills, my fitness level or my bank account.

What do I believe, what is meaningful to me?

The past 2 years have been a process, identifying what is meaningful to me. I’ve come to the conclusion that I want to eat and cook healthy plant-based food, I want to work out, hike and ride horses again. I want to help the environment and animals. I want to travel to as many places as possible. I want to keep learning and growing and I want to be creative. So, what’s stopping me? Me, me and some weird ideas are getting in my way of embracing the present and truly living my life.

It’s taken me 50 years, a stroke and lots of soul searching to realize that I am the one in control. I have the power. The messages that bombard me from all angles are just that, messages.

I am joyful, I am strong, I am capable,  and above all I am resilient.

With renewed energy and understanding I am getting out and exploring today, tomorrow and for the rest of my days. I am going to stop over-thinking and embrace all the things that make me who I truly am.

Some of my Sources for Inspiration

• https://www.goodlifeproject.com/
• https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain
• http://liveplanted.com/