I learned a valuable lesson recently. It wasn’t during a motivational speech or while reading a self-help book. No, it happened in the most mundane of circumstances – at the optometrist’s office.
I was there for just another routine vision checkup. There was idle chitchat with the doctor; nothing out of the ordinary. But then, he showed me a rather intriguing image. It was a close-up of my eye, and he pointed out how my arteries and veins, when overlapping, leave a tiny impression – a physical sign of stress.
My wife always says I am an all-or-nothing type of guy, and at that moment, it dawned on me. I had been utterly absorbed in my work, relentless and unforgiving, barely leaving even a smidgen of energy for my family, let alone myself. The price of this laborious grind? My health was starting to show signs of wear and tear.
Here’s where realization hit me. Life’s essence lies in not just surviving through each day but truly living it. The outlook that we hustle through thirty odd years of work, then hope to find solace in retirement, is fundamentally flawed. We ought not to drain ourselves solely for the sake of work and then drag ourselves home to our families or to the rare moment for ourselves. This isn’t the way life should be lived. Life requires more than just endurance — it requires enjoyment.
The true key is investing time and care into ourselves daily. This has to be intentional. What are the things you enjoy doing most? Write a list of 5 things that just make you happy. Now schedule some of those throughout your day, EVERY day. And here’s the paradox, doing these things doesn’t take away from your work or family – it adds to it. As your energy is refilled you will have much more to give to your job and those you love. If we fill our cup, we start offering an overflowing abundance rather than draining ourselves dry. After-all, you can’t pour from an empty mug.
Here are a few activities that bring me joy
Remember this: The energy we use to fuel our lives should refresh us on our journey, not deplete us. The more we acknowledge our needs and nurture ourselves, the better equipped we become to live well and live fully. This enlightened perspective will lead us to a more balanced, healthier, and satisfying life.