Many people are working towards and hoping for their bliss. Instead of looking for ways to find an extraordinary life, how about making your life extraordinary now? The most power you have with your time is in the present. Your memories can pull you into the past, but you can not change it. You have the option to visualize or worry for the future, but the only projection of control is how you are perceiving it now.
Consider what things you can do now to feel more excited and happy in your life everyday. It doesn’t have to be big or the same act every day. When you get lost in the everyday responsibilities, you can miss the joys in each day. Let’s say you have some chores on your list that you feel the need to get done, but aren’t very pleasing to you. Consider changing how you do them to be more pleasing. Perhaps you are folding laundry or cooking when you’d much rather be reading a book. I believe you can have more time for both. When working on a task that feels more like work, add a little fun to it. Play your favorite music. Pour yourself a glass of wine, or perhaps listen to a funny or inspirational YouTube to add joyful momentum.
I’ve tried these and I have to say they work very well. I’ve caught myself dancing while doing the laundry or housework especially when you pick your own tunes. And I’ve learned to really love cooking. If I’m cooking Mexican, I may put on some mariachi music and fix a margarita. Suddenly dinner not only got exciting, but the menu improved.
The idea is shifting what you may feel as mundane chores into more joyful experiences in your day. I find that when I am able to enjoy the task, I not only complete it more joyfully, but also in a timely manner. Then often, I can treat myself to a few pages in a book, some art, or writing before the family comes to the table. I was able to take care of my family and save a little time to enjoy myself. Once I was waiting on my husband and child to come home from their martial arts practice and dinner was warming on the stove. Since I had a little window, I poured myself a glass of wine, put on some jazz music and colored a Mandala design in my (adult) coloring book. I probably only spent 15-20 minutes coloring, but I can’t express the therapeutic value in that little time frame. I felt relaxed and was kinder to my family that evening.
It doesn’t matter how you implement your ideas, but start noticing what else you can do to feel more joyful throughout your day, even. Even when it’s packed full of tasks that do not always feel fun. By making these small deposits, the little things you do more joyfully each day turns your days into more extraordinary ones. You also stimulate your imagination towards fun. You may even be inspired to celebrate every day in small ways without needing an occasion to celebrate. When you can do more things you enjoy, you are more happy and content. Sometimes the challange is finding the time. I’m suggesting you add them to the things you are already doing.
Turn those tasks and chores up to a happier level. The next time you have to make a call for customer service, try to add a smile on your end of the phone. See if it’s harder to get aggravated and perhaps your experience will be a little brighter.
It really is adding a little joy and positivity into your everyday actions. Don’t wait for extraordinary. Make your life extraordinary now!