Why you should take your banker to lunch Is it time to start using ...

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SIMPLE LIVING WILL FREE YOUR SPIRIT For the past 2 years I have been on an amazing creative journey striving to align my actions with my passions and interests. A recent client of mine stated the obvious to me – ―I love that you do only what you want to do in life‖. I continue living a fulfilling life inspiring others to action. If I had to sum up my personal brand statement also known as my ‗WHY‘ in life - it would sound something like this: I exist to creatively inspire people and ideas to action – through inspirational talks – writing – consulting and coaching. I wanted to take this opportunity to share with my readers the ‗art of simplicity‘ as a creative vehicle to help simplify your life and free your spirit so you can focus on living a more fulfilling life. It started around two years ago for me as result of living with, and loving a very special person in my life who helped me realize the beauty of simple living as a means to declutter my life to make room for only the things that bring me the most joy. When you finally commit to reorganizing your life you feel a tremendous shift in your life energy. What is life energy? Everything you do every day – TV watching – driving to work – buying items at the mall or spending hours on the internet, you are trading your life energy. Here is the thing – we exist for a very short period of time and the first half of our lives (towards the age of 40) we spend the majority of our time accumulating ‗stuff‘ and the second half of our life trying to get rid of that ‗stuff‘. Society and the pressures of keeping up with the Jones‘ does very little to encourage a life of simplicity. So many of us spend mindless hours TV watching – previewing magazines and making countless trips to the mall. I attempt to deliver a very simple message to my clients that I coach and the audiences that I inspire – Uncover your passion – create your life and strive to align your actions with only the things that bring you the most joy. This article is not about making more money – or getting a promotion, rather it is about taking charge and reorganizing your life in such a way that you receive more fulfillment. So how do you make this happen right? Well, I can tell you, that simple living is not a destination – it‘s not about winning a million and then making it happen – it‘s about a creative journey and once you get on this path you will find a tremendous sense of peace and flow within yourself. I will attempt to summarize what have been the top principles towards living a life of simplicity. Even Albert Einstein quoted – ‗Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.’ Strive to escape the weight of accumulation If you look around at all of the media in front of us you will find that advertising is everywhere, like a virus telling us what we need to purchase in order to make us happier. Supersize – trade up – go bigger…My advice: Avoid watching television or at least limit your time by 50%. Read more books instead of magazines. Avoid going to the mall or department stores likeWalmart. If you really feel the urge to purchase an item try this strategy on for size. Ask yourself – do I really need this? Write it on a 30 day list and after 30 days if you still feel that you can‘t live without it then consider making the purchase. You will find after 30 days – your impulse will fade on those impulse urges. 22 | w w w . c w c h a m b e r . c a
Replace these above-noted habits with new ‗simplicity habits‘ as a means to create new forms of entertainment – it takes 30 consecutive days to create a new habit. For instance, wake up one hour earlier every morning and meditate or read in your garden. Playing sports – writing or painting – visiting loved ones. Strive to de-clutter by going through all of your stuff – clothing – articles, etc. Donate things that you don‘t use anymore or re-use an item in a new and creative way. A good friend of mine owns a large clothing chain and they alter your clothes to make them feel new again. Consider re-using your items or buy used instead of buying new. It‘s great for the environment and you will enjoy being crafty. I recently created a new outdoor dining table out of an old tongue and groove door – it looks rustic and makes a great conversation piece. CREATE YOUR SIMPLICITY PATH Now that you are aware that you are aware – you can start creating your path to fulfillment. Remember, it starts with you, we are all the architects of our lives. My key recommendations are as follows: Gratitude - Attitude and Positive Thinking – what are all the things that you are most grateful for? Write them down and share that list with your closest friends and family. This act will start to shift your life energy towards receiving more of what you are grateful for. Before drifting off to sleep – express all of the things that you are grateful for. Think only positive thoughts – remember – discomfort is growth and growth is the only evidence of life, so as you start to change your life some elements will need to shift and this perceived discomfort is all part of your journey. Make a list of the simple things that give you joy every day – for instance – finding that one hour to run, or read, journal, work in the garden, have a drink with friends….What ever that list is then start by doing one of those things at least once a day eventually adding more and more. Find a way to love everything around you – people – friends – family – your health. The more you spread the love the more you will attract into your life. Include a healthier lifestyle filled with good food – daily exercise. I start off every morning with a healthy smoothie and I have eliminated snacks from my diet. I love to cook for friends and family. So as you start to gain a larger awareness for yourself, the life that you want to create and your journey towards simple living – answer the following questions: What is the bigger picture for your life that you’re stalling on? What needs to be faced head on? What do you need to let go of? What do you need to embrace? Gerry Visca, Canada’s Creative Coach T h e F o c u s A u t u m n 2 0 1 1 | 23
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