Mental Wellness

Life moves fast and you often have to keep up or get left behind. A lack of purpose and plan often causes us to get swept up. What is it you want for yourself, your family, your community, and beyond? How can you contribute to bringing these things to fruition? These are just some of the questions that can help guide you to understanding your purpose and then designing a plan. Of course having a plan doesn't mean there won't be hiccups along the road. But having purpose fuels your fire to make alternative plans when others do not work out. And it's good to be open to the idea that as you grow and mature, the outline of your purpose may reshape itself or be coupled with a new purpose that runs in parallel. For example, this year may be designed to focus on fixing your credit score but maybe next year you want to adapt to a credit free lifestyle based on new discoveries. Also, you should be aware of the people and things to that serve your purpose and those that don't so you can manage them in a way which leads to success. Let's say you want to reach certain financial goals in life but you also want to get married. It would be counterproductive to align yourself with a partner whose values, or lack thereof, would deter you. So don't get left behind. Decide where you see yourself going and make a plan on how to get there.

Most of us probably started the year with the "New Year, New Me" slogan in mind, taking on the year with hope to do something different. And it's likely that the majority of us have already given up on that goal. Studies show that while 77% of us are still striving by the end of the first week of the year, the majority of us fall of after the January 12 with only 8% of people actually meeting their New Year's resolution goals. If you've already fallen of the wagon, it's easy to shrug your shoulders and accept that you are apart of the 92% who just won't make it. But I don't want you to accept that. Allow this year's resolutions to inspire a new level of discipline. So what if you fell off? Get up, dust off your shoulders, and go make it happen. A bump in the road is not the end of the journey. I want you to run after the idea of being that 8%. At then end of this year or whenever you meet that goal, you will look back and say "Man, I almost let myself be like everybody else, but I chose to be in the 8%. I chose to be extraordinary." You want it. Go get it.

In the age of social media, television, and Google, it is so easy to access information. Instead of having to read through an entire book, we get to grab a quick blurb and move one to the next piece of information. While this may be more efficient in our busy lives, it may take away from the full knowledge experience we undergo when we actually take time to read entire books and articles. Reading exposes us to new vocabulary, logic and theories. It gives us the opportunity to learn new words, gather information, and be introduced to ideas that may challenge our understandings. In 2020, I challenge you to take on a reading challenge. Whether it's 1 book every quarter, month, or week, give your mind a chance to flex and grow this year.

Most of us have dreams and aspirations. We hope for a certain job, home, significant other, and/or children. Sometimes as we wait for these things our faith waivers. We start to think that maybe we were teaching too high. Some will settle for less. Others will stop hoping for what they wanted. And even worse, there are those that will finally be presented with the thing they'd hoped for, but their vision is so blurred by doubt, that they try to poke holes in what they've spent most of their lives waiting for. You finally get that job, but once you're there you question whether you fit in the role/industry. You finally get in position to buy that home but you question if you are really ready for the responsibility. You meet that man/woman who you've waited for and, even though they check off all the items on your list, you continue playing the field to see if anything better is out there. Reality is you have the job because you are perfect for it but your lack of confidence will affect your work product; the fact that you waited to be positioned for the house is insight to how prepared you are; and there is no perfect person so it's better to accept what you need/want at an 80/20 ratio then lose it for a 20/80. The mind can be a war zone. Don't let doubt overshadow hope and cause you to miss out on the things you've worked and waited for.

I remember sitting in class one day and to determine if I had understood what was said, the instructor asked, "did you all get that?" Someone replied, "we hear you." To my surprise the instructor responded, "yes, but are you listening?" Everyone paused likely stopped by the same thought: what's the difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is a physiological act. Whenever there is a sound, if we have the ability to, we will hear it. However, if the sound is comprised of words, there is the potential that we can hear them but not do so with thoughtful attention. If that is the case, we are not listening. Listening requires us to give consideration and attention to the sound. This week I challenge you to consider how much you are listening to the conversations you engage in. Are you trying to understand the content, looking for an opportunity to rebuttal, or barely listening at all? Be conscious of how you listen and assess whether you could be mindful and present in your daily conversations. #mindfulmonday #listen #download #understand #comprehend #growth

Why am I here? This is a question we often ask ourselves as we try to understand what we have done, are doing, and are supposed to do. Exploring and discovering our meaning and purpose actually play a big role in maintaining mental health. Discovering meaning and purpose "is essential to brain health as it can help generate new cells and create new neural pathways in the brain" (Smith, R. Segal, Robinson, J. Segal, 2019). It also helps you feel motivated and relieve stress as your activities become more strategic and fulfilling. One thing you should not do is feel bad about not knowing your purpose. And don't compare yourself to others. Instead of focusing on what isn't, imagine what could be and engage yourself in activities that will help you discover your purpose. If you are struggling, volunteer work, meeting new people, and even a pet are all great opportunities to discover your purpose and meaning. Maybe you've had some revelation on what your purpose is, but you haven't started working on it. Sometimes it seems to daunting to take on. Or your confidence level makes you question whether you'll be effective. You have to accept that you were made for great things. You are and will be everything you need to be to do the things that were put inside of you. Stop running away from what is calling you. Because chances are the world's need for you and your purpose are much greater than your fears. You are destined for greatness.