If you don’t know by now, my life partner and I are journeying across North America for two (or more) years during his medical school rotations.
Perfect: I’m a natural drifter, open to change, thrilled by travel and the thought of kissing my best friend off to work every morning! Not-so-Perfect: Many days alone and no future plan, equals occasional brain berserk mode.
Of course, this always ends up proving how silly the mind can be and its constant need to be tamed. Chats with my girlfriends show me how normal this is – slipping into measuring happiness on a fake scale that in the grand scheme of things really doesn’t matter.
Through this journey though, I’m grateful that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be and its helped me discover a code waiting to be unlocked anytime, anywhere, if I so choose to use it:
My Code to Contentment
(as photographed through my “inspire me” Pinterest board)
1. Explore
I’ve always loved this Mark Twain quote, but no need to go overseas – just break free of home’s comfy walls! We can make memories learning about our areas, challenging our taste buds, volunteering, signing up for a class or simply reconnecting with nature – the moment will come alive as we open ourselves to fresh paths and possibilities around different corners.
2. Surround yourself with people who lift you higher (And lift other people higher, too)
Oh, Oprah :). If a relationship is more like an up & down rollercoaster and less like a tranquil hot-air balloon on a warm summer’s eve, it’s time to assess whether we’ve been called to move on and cut the cord on energy leeches. Moving forward, we should respect ourselves enough to choose wise relationships from the start – people that love the very core of us who support our journeys (no jealousy, no negativity). It’s a two-way street, though, and there’s simply no better feeling than random acts of kindness or supporting someone else’s journey, too.
3. Savour alone time
While a good pack of friends is an amazing gift, we’ve gotta be equally comfortable spending time alone, exploring our own inner worlds and moving beyond being defined by friendships or loves in our lives – our spirits are so much bigger than that. Also, alone time spurs creativity – relish and rejuvenate in it! Being our own best friends may be one of the finest things we can do for our external relationships.
4. Practice Gratitude
I know this is fuzzy but just look up at the starry sky and think about what it means to be in this Universe. The myriad of things we’ll never know and how we’re all here right now, alive with breath and light (I always feel divine magic when I look up). Then think about what makes you smile: fresh, steaming coffee in the morning, a loving mentor, the heat of the sun or smelling wet pavement after a rainfall. Write it all down. Every tiny thing you were happy for today.
Through it all, I think it’s important to recognize that no one code fits everyone perfectly and though nothing will make the bad things disappear, practicing these things will, without a doubt, make the good things multiply.
I’d love to hear what’s high on your code to contentment! Also, please feel free to share the link to your favourite inspirational Pinterest pics in the comment box- love those photos! :)
Hi Linds! My sister is in the same class as Blair so I thought I’d check out your blog…turns out we wrote very similar posts today. I need to start a board on Pinterest for inspiration like this!
You definitely should start a Pinterest board like this – I just creeped and followed you last night. Thanks for stopping by.
Linds- this is amazing. You are so wise and really have a knack for putting things into perspective. I love this post. That Mark Twain quote is really lovely. What a romantic sentiment! Ah! Thanks for this :)
THANK YOU darlin! When do you go to Kripalu for your teacher’s training? I signed up for a weekend w/ Elena Brower there last minute and I leave this afternoon. I’m so excited to see this yoga/healthy eating haven! Who knows, maybe I’ll never leave and you’ll see me there when you go ha!
Wow, this sounds like such a great journey. I can’t wait to hear more about it! Also, I absolutely love the quotes!!! :)
:) keep things coming xo.
<3
You are such a motivation…yoga is helping me stop and appreciate the little things in life…I’m trying really hard to do this. It’s difficult with everyday life, work and of course planning a wedding that’s happening in 4 months<3
Yay! Thank you. It’s always a process no matter where we find ourselves.
I’m not sure if I’m cutting and pasting right (as if that were a thing to mess up), but this one says “comparison is the thief of joy”:
http://pinterest.com/pin/10062799137858058/
and this one says “don’t hate, meditate”
http://pinterest.com/pin/10062799137910435/
Love them!