The Self-Discovery Digest

New Year's is over and for many of us personal development is starting to feel more like a chore than an adventure. You might be feeling a little weary yourself, wondering if personal growth is some slick notion cooked up by self-help gurus to make you feel guilty for not being "more" - more enlightened, more patient, more fit, more perfect, etc. We feel your pain. Perhaps it's time to reconsider what self-discovery means to you as well as re-tool the way you go about it. Are you creating opportunities for growth that feel right for you and bring a smile to your face? Or have you inadvertently put effort in front of joy? How you go about your development will affect whether it's fun and rewarding or just something that you believe you're supposed to do. Take a look at the lists below and consider how you might reinvigorate your self-discovery process, knowing that if you enjoy yourself, you're likely to keep at it. It's all about making the journey your own - you can't do this wrong!

1. How do you like to engage in self-discovery?

Communing with a group, connecting with a few others, or through solitude?

Writing down ideas, making drawings, composing music, or creating a dance?

Exploring one or two issues in depth or learning a few things about many topics?

Carrying out familiar and beloved rituals, trying out traditions new to you, or creating your own?

Using schedules and plans with milestones laid out or letting things evolve and following your inspiration?

Besides refining the way you go about things, it's crucial to allow yourself to focus on things that are personally meaningful to you. It's easy to get caught up in improvements that others - friends, family, colleagues, society at large - suggest are worthwhile. But in order to get the most out of your self-discovery journey you must get in touch with what's important to you rather than trying to attain someone else's vision of success. With this in mind, consider which things about yourself that you want to understand better.

2. What aspects of yourself do you need to examine more closely?

What values and principles do you hold dear? Are these the ones you want to continue to champion or should they be redefined?

What are your greatest gifts? Your greatest challenges?

Are there patterns from your past that need investigating in order to open up healthier possibilities for the future?

Do your intentions and actions seem to be in alignment?

Does forgiveness need to be given - to yourself or others?

Finally, no matter how passionate you are about personal growth or how valiant your attempts, nearly everyone loses enthusiasm along the way. Rather than seeing this as a failure or a reason to quit, think about what might get you going again. Consider ways to boost and maintain your energy and enthusiasm.

3. What can you tap into to keep you motivated and on track?

When you think about past successes, what spurred you on to reach your goals and how might this work for you again?

Who can act as your mentor or cheerleader to encourage you onward?

How can you see "silver linings" in the roadblocks and setbacks you've experienced?

Is it time to set new goals? Are you being too unrealistic and setting the bar too high or do you need to be more courageous and bold?

How can you celebrate what you have achieved?

Self-Discovery Tool Number 22
Make your self-discovery process as unique as you are. Pay close attention to what delights and enlivens you. Do more of those things. Introduce new activities and ideas into your world. Shed existing ones that are no longer suitable or constructive. Be unapologetically you. Make self-discovery yours - live your best life!

Posted by learninglife at 7:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

New Year's tradition dictates that we resolve to be better people by crafting resolutions such as being a nicer person, eating a healthier diet, finally cleaning out the garage, or conquering our fear and asking for a raise. While such resolutions are terrific if followed, we often make them based on what we believe we should do. By focusing on resolutions that seem socially appropriate we may be simply creating new ways to beat ourselves up. So what to do? How do we enhance our lives without turning self-improvement into another means to criticize ourselves for not measuring up? Read on for three helpful suggestions that we like to call Un-Resolution Solutions.

Don't take yourself too seriously
When tempted to believe that you are all wrong for failing to live up to a goal or ideal like keeping a spotless home, exercising daily, or always having a kind word to say, ask yourself if what you have done (or have failed to do) truly matters. Is your kitchen going to attract the health department? Will your fitness be gravely affected if you miss a day here and there? Is your relationship doomed if you act grumpy one day? Relax, you may have missed the mark a little but the fact that you care and are trying is what matters. And if you have let someone important down (even yourself), apologize, do better next time, and then let it go. Remember that none of us is perfect. Forgive yourself (forgive others too). The world goes on turning whether you are a good or bad housekeeper, have a perfect body-mass index, or are nice all the time, so keep your "mistakes" in perspective.

Make fun a regular part of your day
This may seem overly simplistic and even appear to be "fluff" advice, but how often do you allow yourself fun or take the time to savor a light moment when it comes your way? As adults we are often led to believe that fun is something frivolous and devoid of value. Yet have you ever watched a child or dog at play? If this brought you joy and made you feel more cheerful and calm, then you know that fun has great merit. Perhaps, though, you see fun as something other people - people without problems, responsibilities, or worries - get to do. If so, you are missing out. Almost all of us have circumstances that are challenging and beyond our control. What helps us manage and keep going despite our difficulties is indulging in fun. And there is a fabulous secondary benefit: when we make fun a priority, we are happier and nicer to be around - a total win-win.

Take breaks
Just because you need to care for a sick loved one, are going through a divorce, or have to put together a work project that seems impossible doesn't mean you have to eat, drink, and sleep this difficult situation all the time. Take a break, even if it's only for a minute or two. Don't wait until the problem is solved to find moments of relief - the problem may never be "solved" (sorry to say) and therefore you need to carve out time away now not later. The same goes for toxic people in your life. Take breaks from them, too. Sometimes we even need a break from ourselves and our obsessions, like "I'm too fat" or "I'm not successful enough," etc. Get away from these destructive thoughts for a while by doing something positive, something that captivates your attention, such as visiting with a friend, listening to music, or taking a walk. Find little reprieves from what's bringing you down. Breaks will help sustain you when you have to get back to what's tough in life. Don't worry, your problems will still be there, but at least you will have escaped their grip for a time.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 21
Change your life for the better by trying out these Un-Resolution Solutions. Keep things as simple and joyful as possible by not taking yourself too seriously, making time for fun, and taking breaks from the things that get you down. With no elaborate steps to follow or big goals to accomplish, we believe these three straightforward and doable strategies will support you in making 2010 and beyond more satisfying and enjoyable!

Posted by learninglife at 7:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Those of us who celebrate Christmas may recall writing to Santa as a child. In our letters, we typically shared how we were doing in school and how well we had behaved over the past year. We hoped that by presenting our goods deeds to Santa, our good behavior would be rewarded - and that meant presents! Now that we've grown up, it's time to re-examine and re-orient this idea. Rather than seeking another's approval and then waiting for the reward to follow, we need to be our own Santa - a Self-Discovery Santa - ready to recognize our own accomplishments. Whatever way you commemorate the season, Hanukkah, Christmas, or some other celebration, add to the holiday spirit by giving to yourself. There is something very powerful about creating a "goodness record" and then choosing ways to honor those achievements. Use the example below to get you started.

My Goodness Record
Here is a reminder of some of the ways in the past year that I've managed to do good for myself or others. I'm particularly proud that I:

Found time to:
Tried a new:
Gave:
Thought deeply about:
Improved my physical well-being by:

My Plan To Be My Own Santa
To acknowledge these successes, here is my plan for rewarding myself. Beginning with this holiday season, I will:

Compliment myself on:
Have fun doing:
Accept love and support from:
Be more realistic and gentle with myself about:
Commit to better health by:

Self-Discovery Tool Number 20
Making a list and checking it twice (or as often as needed) can remind us how far we've come on our journey. Understanding what we are like when we are at our best enables us to be that way more often. Rewarding ourselves for what we've done well helps us feel motivated to do good again. Be your own "Self-Discovery Santa" - value who you are and what you do - make your season bright!

Posted by learninglife at 7:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's Thanksgiving time here in the United States and just as the name implies, the day offers a chance to reflect on those people and things for which we are thankful. Reviewing all that is good in our lives typically leaves us feeling joyful, energized, and peaceful. Wouldn't it be nice to have a daily dose of such good feelings? Here is a simple formula that can help you do just that:

Gratitude + Action = Purpose

Nearly everyone recognizes the importance of the gratitude part of this equation. However, we often forget the action part, which is external and requires outward directed behavior. The thinking (gratitude) combined with the doing (action) grants us a profound sense of being on track toward achieving something meaningful (purpose). This formula doesn't require some radical shift in thinking or behavior - the best and easiest way to bring more purpose into your life is simply to start. How does this work? Read on for examples of applying this formula to everyday life.

I am grateful for the weight I've lost - today I will enjoy my favorite delicious and healthy foods.

I am grateful for the love of my dog - today I will give her extra attention and take her on an extra long walk.

I am grateful for my relationship - today I will not take my loved one for granted and instead share specific reasons why I feel lucky to be part of this couple.

I am grateful that despite my arthritis, my limbs still work - today I will take a walk in honor of the legs that have carried me for so many years.

I am grateful that my parents love taking care of their grandchildren - today I will give them movie passes so that they can enjoy themselves like they enable me to do.

I am grateful for the good natured warmth that the barista shows me when I grab a coffee on my way to work - today I will acknowledge her cheerfulness with a "thank you" and a big tip.

These examples may strike a chord with you or you might be thankful for other things - the point is to think about what you are grateful for and then do something about it. Like the examples above, all it takes to give life a new zip and a renewed sense of purpose are small kindnesses that reflect your gratitude. So take what's in your heart and put it out there - enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that comes from living life with purpose. After all, wouldn't the world be a better place if we all let our gratitude show?

Posted by learninglife at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We all know something about fairy tales. Most of us grew up with them. We read them to our children and grandchildren, and we may even have a favorite that we enjoy over and over. Fairy tales present epic struggles: characters matching wits with ogres, narrowly escaping from enchantments, and enduring great hardships in pursuit of a goal. The ideas contained in fairy tales can help us on our journey of self-discovery.

The magic wand
Many fairy tales feature characters who are given the chance to make dramatic changes in their lives with the help of a magical object, like a wand. If you think about your own life, is there something that you would happily change if you could wave a magic wand? Who, in real life, might offer you support or resources to help facilitate this transformation? What sort of environment could serve as your magic wand and help you create the changes you've been dreaming of?

The wise fool
Other fairy tales show naïve characters triumphing over their seemingly more clever rivals. These "clueless" folks end up doing well because they don't make any assumptions about what is the correct or smartest approach. If you think about your own life, is there some area where your assumptions about what is best are preventing you from finding a workable solution? Who, in real life, has no preconceptions about your situation and could help you uncover a new path to success? What sort of environment might help you unblock your creativity?

The frog prince
Another common fairy tale theme centers on characters who are not what they seem, like a prince who appears in the guise of a frog and must wait for someone to love him as he is for the spell to be broken. If you think about your own life, is there some aspect of yourself that is just waiting for the proper love and acceptance - either from self or others - to be activated? Who, in real life, has a way of seeing your true self and could assist you in developing that authentic identity? What sort of environment might help you to see the courage, beauty or talent latent within you?

Part of self-discovery is finding the stories that give you inspiration and letting go of those that bring you down. What stories are you telling yourself? Are they helping you to live more fully? Any story, positive or negative, personally derived or assigned to you by others, can become a straightjacket if it no longer enables your growth.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 18
One of the best ways to bring about (and then maintain) a happily ever after is to visualize it occurring. What can you do to keep the idea that things will turn out for the best firmly in your mind? Share your dreams with friends, family and colleagues so that they can actively help you make them come true. Make your own story. And as you do, remember that like all good tales, there will be ups and downs but the hero (that's you) always prevails in the end!

Posted by learninglife at 6:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In our home state of Minnesota the days are getting shorter, the air is getting colder, and the leaves are turning color and falling away. Autumn is a time of letting go and also a time of harvest, of gathering up the results of winter's rest, spring's planting, and summer's warmth. And what better symbol of this than the pumpkin? The procedure for cultivating pumpkins includes allowing the pumpkin vine to die once the fruit has been picked. The vine has served its purpose and accomplished its goal. After all, the whole purpose of growing a pumpkin plant is to reap and enjoy the pumpkin that it produces and therefore we don't mourn the vine from which the fruit came.

This seems natural in the case of the pumpkin, yet we often don't see our own growth in the same way. Instead of ruminating on the past, fixating on the difficulties endured, and agonizing over mistakes made, we can choose to celebrate what we've achieved and how far we've come. In other words, we can stop obsessing about what happened to the vine - it is merely a means to an end - and instead rejoice in the beautiful pumpkin that has been created from our growth.

Examples of focusing on the vine instead the pumpkin:
You are divorced but instead of making the most of your new life, you are nursing old hurts.

You lost weight and got in better shape but instead of enjoying your new figure, you still see yourself as frumpy and dowdy.

You grew out of a self-destructive pattern but instead of recognizing your achievement, you keep beating yourself up for what you did when you were stuck and didn't know better.

You worked your way out of bankruptcy but instead of feeling relieved, you are crippled by equating your self-worth with your financial status.

Examples of seeing the pumpkin for the gift that it is:
You pride yourself on deciding to be single rather than being in a destructive and painful relationship.

You acknowledge the result of your healthy lifestyle changes by walking tall and dressing to celebrate your new shape and attitude.

You reach out to others who are locked in their own personal struggles knowing you have wisdom to share and understanding to give.

You refuse to be seduced by our culture's emphasis on materialism and instead choose to value yourself and others by qualities such as courage, perseverance, and kindness.

Don't be confused about what really matters. Recognize and profit from the fruits of your labors. Love how far you've come but then let the past go so you can embrace and enjoy where you are now.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 17
You have triumphed over adversity in some large or small way. Are you recognizing these accomplishments of yours and living the truth of where you are now? If not, in what ways can reframe your personal journey so that you truly honor your positive changes? Choose to live wholeheartedly in the reality you have created - make the pumpkin your focus, not the vine!

Posted by learninglife at 7:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Self-discovery can be fun, rewarding, and challenging. It motivates us to learn and grow and comes down to the environments we create - internal (our attitudes, values, and feelings) and external (what we do as well as the people and things with which we surround ourselves). Use the self-discovery alphabet below to help fashion the best internal and external environments possible for your development.

Self-Discovery A-B-Cs

Paying Attention to where you are, literally and figuratively

Being yourself as often as possible

Celebrating what's great about yourself

Daring to try new things

Recognizing which activities are Energizing and doing more of them

Feeling your feelings, even if they are a little uncomfortable

Expressing Gratitude for all that's good in your life

Healing yourself by seeking people and situations that nourish you

Using your Imagination to envision changes you'd like to make

Experiencing Joy - embracing laughter wherever you find it

Showing Kindness to yourself and others

Listening to what your inner voice is telling you

Being in the Moment and enjoying its gifts

Acting Now rather than waiting for the "perfect" time

Staying Open, the best discoveries may come out of left field

Being Patient with slip-ups and missteps

Rewarding yourself for attempts made

Sharing your dreams with those that matter

Looking at the Truth even if it's a little scary

Making peace with the Unknown by choosing optimism over negativity

Celebrating personal Victories no matter how small

Seeing Wisdom, not perfection, as the ultimate goal

Putting out into the world the X-Factor that only you have and can contribute

You - taking care of yourself is the only way you can be well enough to care for others

Zeroing in on what is meaningful to you no matter how others would value it

Incorporate the A-B-Cs into your internal and external landscapes. Simply summed up, it just plain feels good to establish healthy environments loving to the self and others.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 16
How can an examination of the self-discovery alphabet enrich your life? Try this two-step process. First ask yourself what things on the list you are already doing. Now congratulate yourself on your accomplishments and celebrate by making time to do something fun, such as seeing a friend, engaging in a favorite activity, or simply allowing yourself a moment to relax and do nothing. Second ask yourself what things you have yet to try or could consider. Commit to doing something that might be a stretch for you knowing that the real success is in the attempt, not in doing it "correctly". Smile, now you have a reason to do Step 1 (the celebrating part) all over again. Keep the circle going and your self-discovery growing!

Posted by learninglife at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's September, back-to-school time here in Minnesota. Children are returning to school, college co-eds are returning to classes or leaving home for the first time, and many of us, regardless of whether or not we are formally enrolled, are feeling a sense of anticipation as if we too were about to embark upon a learning journey.

As most of us were students for a good portion of our early lives, the pattern of starting up again is deeply ingrained and often reminds us that we need to get going, get on with our lives, and start making those changes that the summer's lazy days made us set aside and forget. Like a student at the start of a new school year, open yourself to new experiences, different points of view, and trying things you have not tried before.

How can we capitalize on this back-to-school energy and practice the value of teaching and learning? Here are some simple ways:

• Think about the teachers and elders who have shaped you, make an effort to reconnect and thank them or, if that isn't possible, devise ways you can better emulate the good lessons they taught.

• Take the time to share knowledge with someone who could benefit from your experience. Be patient with questions, remembering that once you were a novice too.

• Seek opinions from new sources and then listen carefully to the perspective that is shared. You don't have to agree with it, simply let it better inform your own thinking.

• At work, with family, or when getting together with a friends, make space for everyone to be involved in the decision making. This might mean taking a back set if you normally lead, or challenging yourself to step in if you typically let others take charge.

• If you are facing a difficult issue, reflect on times past when you felt overwhelmed by a problem but prevailed. Think about what you learned from those experiences and remind yourself you can prevail again.

• Allow yourself a little vulnerability. Admit that you don't know how to do something and let others teach you what they know.

• Contribute more formally to the learning of others by offering your intellectual resources as a school, library, community center, or adult literacy program volunteer.

• Broaden your knowledge base by attending a lecture, enrolling in a course, downloading a free learning module, or being part of an online learning community.

Regardless of our age or station in life, we can always benefit from teaching and learning.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 15
Tapping into the back-to-school spirit, what knowledge or experience can you offer others and what learning experience could you try out that could enrich your life? Using the list provided as your starting point, commit to trying one thing that honors the student and teacher inside of you. Increase the intellectual vibrancy of your world - share your wisdom and let others share theirs with you!

Posted by learninglife at 7:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Summer is almost over here in Minnesota. The weather is hot, school will be in session again soon, and leisure activities beckon. There is a sense of urgency about getting outdoors and enjoying ourselves - hopping on our bikes, enjoying a day at a lake or pool, playing a round of golf, or just hanging out in our backyards barbecuing in the company of friends and neighbors. Before we know it we'll be back in the icy grip of winter.

With this in mind, don't let the rest of August slip by without having some good old-fashioned fun in the sun. Here are some ideas to end your summer on a high note:

• Go for a walk, ride a bike, go for a swim, frolic in the sprinkler, play sports just for the pleasure of playing.

• Picnic, fire up the grill, have coffee or drinks on the patio.

• Have an ice cream treat.

• Eat and savor seasonal fruits and vegetables.

• Work in or visit a garden, delight in the colors and the smells when they are at their zenith.

• Attend an outdoor concert, county fair, festival.

• Read a good book, catch up on magazines.

• Take time off and travel somewhere or simply relax at home.

• Make the most of the longer days and find time to visit with family and friends.

Don't put off what's enjoyable as though it weren't important. Often the belief that we can "always do it later" stops us from doing it at all. The high temperatures won't last but the happy memories of time well spent will live on and warm us in the cold months to come.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 14
What have you been longing to do but never managed to fit in over the summer? Have you been fooling yourself that you'll get to it eventually? Commit to doing a warm weather activity that makes you smile before September arrives. Make the remaining summer days richer and more fulfilling by finding simple ways to celebrate the best of the season!

Posted by learninglife at 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On May 25, 1961, before a joint session of the US Congress, John F. Kennedy shared his goal of putting a man on the moon before the end of the decade. This week marks the 40th anniversary of the fulfillment of that vision: the Apollo 11 moon landing. Looking back at this historic event we are inspired by the notion that each of us has the opportunity to make a life enhancing giant leap if we can find the courage for that first small step.

Steps to get started:

1. Articulate a clear and energizing personal mission. You don't need to frame this in presidential, competitive terms as happened in the US-Soviet Space Race, but you do need to have a concrete idea of what your goal is and why it will feel wonderful to achieve it. Don't worry about being fancy. Craft your vision as truthfully and plainly as possible. As you imagine your goal, don't be ashamed to start simply: small steps added together become giant leaps.

Example: I will exercise.

2. Establish a realistic but ambitious timeline. You may not want to announce your plans to the whole world as Kennedy did, however deadlines help us to move from contemplation to action. Sharing your ideas with at least one other person as well as writing your plans down helps you make your mission more real and build in accountability.

Example: I will exercise two days this week. At the end of this week I will re-commit to this goal and consider adding an extra day. At the end of the second week, I will do the same. Eventually, I plan to exercise seven days a week.

3. Ask for help and collaborate. While what people remember is the moon walk (which lasted only a matter of hours), it was only through the commitment of thousands of people working together as well as years of preparation that this challenging objective became a reality. But years and thousands of people aren't necessary - a moment, a day, a few weeks, and your friends, family, and colleagues are more than enough to make things happen.

Example: I will ask my friend, who also wants to start exercising, to exercise with me. I will ask my spouse to encourage me to stick to my plan. I will ask my colleague to take a walking lunch break with me.

4. Believe in yourself and celebrate what's terrific about you. In the final seconds of the approach, Neil Armstrong had to take manual control of the Eagle Lander and steer the craft around boulders to safely reach the moon's surface. You need not take such dramatic action, but an appreciation of your strengths will give you the confidence to handle the roadblocks that do arise. As you go forward, remember that obstacles are really signs that you are making progress - so take heart and keep moving.

Example: I can grow and develop and I like making healthy changes. I have made positive changes in the past and I can do it again. I have a great sense of humor and when I feel my motivation dropping, I will choose to find the humor in the challenge.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 13
Use the ideas and examples above to create the components of your personal mission. Take a small step to bravely launch your dreams. Enlist support to help you overcome challenges and sustain your resolve. Recognize your worthiness and enjoy yourself as you forge ahead!

Posted by learninglife at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the United States, we celebrate the 4th of July as Independence Day. This holiday is very dear to us Americans because it is an enduring symbol of our ideals and a time to re-commit to living them - but you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to appreciate these sentiments. The Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [people] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Such an important mandate - why not apply it to our personal lives?

Consider the questions below then create your very own Declaration of Independence.

• What are your personal truths?
• How do you define liberty and a life worth living?
• Are there people or things that are affecting your sense of freedom or your pursuit of happiness - either positively or negatively?
• Can you find the courage to take a stand for what matters to you even if this is unpopular with certain significant people or institutions in your life?

Fill in the blanks to craft your Declaration of Independence.

I hold these truths to be self-evident (choose three):
________________________________________________.

I define happiness with these qualities (choose three):
________________________________________________.

I create happiness in my life with these people and activities (choose three):
________________________________________________.

I recommit to cultivating my sense of liberty and happiness in these ways (choose three):
________________________________________________.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 12
Celebrate what's special about your contribution to the world by living your own unique version of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Embrace your personal recipe for freedom and joy by seeking out a least one person or thing by July 4th that brings you a smile and makes you feel good about being alive!

Posted by learninglife at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How can you make the most of your self-discovery journey? What resources can help you to stay motivated in these tough times? We think that the Web sites below are worth a look because they capture important ideas that can help nourish the spirit. Have fun exploring them and finding ones of your own – we did!

TED: Ideas Worth Spreading
Head to TED for talks on an amazing range of topics that listeners have classified as “persuasive, courageous, ingenious, fascinating, inspiring, beautiful, funny and informative.” Challenging, honest, and engaging, these talks provide models of being comfortable being yourself (e.g., “Aimee Mullins and her 12 pairs of legs”).

Teaching the World to Focus on the Good: Articles and Publications
For ideas on deepening your self-discovery process, take a look at these articles by the author of Happier, Tal Ben Shahar, on topics ranging from making and keeping our commitments – “Integrity, words, and self” – to being in touch with all of our emotions – “Permission to Feel.”

Laughter is the Best Medicine: The Health Benefits of Humor
Since we all need reminders to see the lighter side of life, check out this page on the benefits of humor with suggestions on how to bring more of laughter into your life, how to take yourself less seriously and how humor can help you deal with life’s problems more creatively.

American Heart Association
Getting and staying healthy is so important. This site is packed with factual, easy to understand tips on doing just that, not only for those with cardiovascular related problems, but for caregivers, and for anyone who wants to live healthier. From fact sheets, health quizzes, and tools for caregivers of all kinds – including a list of Caregiver Rights, this site will enable you to take better care yourself and those you love.

Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
How do we make a positive difference in the world and how do we recognize what is right and what is wrong for us? The stories and interviews on this site focus on exactly these questions and challenge us to reflect on our beliefs as well as inspire us to be better people.

NASA News Topics: Solar System
This site is chock full of stunning photographs and fascinating information about our planet, solar system, and universe. Viewing things from a larger perspective can help us see our existence in a new light and reminds us that our home and place in the universe is so much more amazing and beautiful than we realize on a day-to-day basis.

We hope that these selections help you maintain your momentum as you navigate your own path of self-discovery and that the information they provide encourages you to try out new approaches in order to give your life renewed purpose.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 11
Where do you turn when you need a lift? What makes you smile and feel grateful to be alive? Commit to seeking out a least one person or resource this week that enriches and enlivens your perspective as well as gives you a greater sense of happiness.

Posted by learninglife at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We typically associate travel with leaving home, spending money, and doing a great deal of planning. Travel is something most of us enjoy but tend to engage in less often than we’d like because of the real or perceived effort involved. Yet travel can be more accessible to us and simpler to arrange than we might imagine. We would like to redefine the notion of travel and suggest that meaningful journeys can take many forms – including those that can take place in your living room, cost no money, and do not require an itinerary. After all, isn’t travel really about experiencing new vantage points, trying out new behaviors, and discovering new parts of yourself as well as the world?

Here are a few easy ways to incorporate the essence of travel into your life:

• Take a new route home even if it takes a little longer.

• Sit at a different place at the dinner table, sleep on a different side of the bed, read in a different chair.

• Re-arrange your furniture or living space.

• Get some fresh air: take advantage of a local green space, picnic in the park, go on a garden tour.

• Meet your friends and family in a new spot: skip the usual places.

• Try a restaurant or cook a cuisine that seems exotic to you.

• Visit a local attraction that you had previously disdained as “only for tourists.”

• Attend a worship service different than your own.

• See a movie with subtitles, or attend a cultural event new to you.

• Search the Internet and travel books for stories, photos, and maps of intriguing parts of the world.

Travel means exploring unknown territory and taking paths not taken before, therefore it may feel a bit awkward at first. Bear with it – just as when in a foreign country you may feel challenged by the unfamiliar, you will need to be patient with the process and give yourself the time and space to be a novice. Approached with this spirit, your little journeys can offer you new opportunities for renewed energy, greater self-awareness, and FUN!

Self-Discovery Tool Number 9
Are there simple journeys you can take to enrich and enliven your day-to-day existence? How might you increase your zest for life by taking a new trip, whether all the way to the next county or simply to a part of your neighborhood that you don’t typically frequent? Embrace the true essence of travel – make the choice to get to know yourself and your world anew by doing something out of the ordinary!

Posted by learninglife at 4:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The arrival of spring offers plentiful examples of growth and renewal. To take advantage of this energy, we need to focus not only on cultivating new ways of being and doing, but also on pruning away what may no longer be nourishing. Take a look at your habits and patterns and consider trimming those that have the potential to stunt your growth.

Releasing outdated ways of living can make you feel like you’re fighting through a thicket of dead wood. However, until you separate what is healthy from what is sapping your strength, you will find that your efforts produce only a meager harvest. Eliminating ideas, things, relationships, etc. that are no longer useful gives you the energy and room to focus on those things that are sustaining, joyful, and truly important.

Here are few ideas for taking stock of what to tend carefully and what to toss onto the compost pile:

• When spending time with a significant other (from work, family, etc) or doing a typical activity, does this fill you with joy?

• If someone asked you to recommend this person or activity, would you be able to do so?

• When you spend time and effort on this person or activity, do you feel energized?

• Are you eager for the next time you will see this person or engage in this activity?

• Is your commitment to this person or activity something you are looking to expand and deepen?

If you can’t truthfully answer yes to the above questions, you may want to limit the time you spend with that person or taking part in that activity. Begin to weed out relationships, tasks and commitments that are no longer constructive to make room for those things you want to see grow and expand. Further, consider what things you want to introduce into your “garden” for the first time. Give yourself permission to feel hopeful about these new developments. Make the extra daylight hours count by creating space in your life for fresh growth.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 9
Examine the people and activities that fill your life – which of these deserve a bit of extra attention and which might be best set aside? Choose one person or activity that you want to decrease your involvement. Choose one person or activity that you want to increase your involvement. Make a commitment to enact these changes and have your best spring yet!

Posted by learninglife at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are you sometimes worried about where your life is headed – as though walking in unfamiliar territory without a map? At times do you feel confused about what is really important? We would love to be able to reassure you – and ourselves – that there is some profound, definitive answer or series of steps that can guarantee a sense of security and a life well lived. Unfortunately, life provides no sure bets and no ironclad directions. There is something within us, however, something we often overlook, that can be a compass for navigating our life journey. That compass is our values.

In order to tap into the power and guidance of this compass, you need to identify what matters most to you, what your personal values are, distinct from those that your culture suggests you should hold. This can be challenging for we are bombarded daily with messages exhorting us to place value on, and measure ourselves, in terms of things like:

• Money
• Material Success
• Good looks
• Flat Abs
• Knowing the “right people”
• Having a well-appointed home and a luxury car

But if you look within and listen to your heart of hearts, you can identify what you really care about. With this awareness you can use your personal values as a compass to orient your passage through life. Individual values are more likely to be things such as:

• Integrity
• Kindness
• Generosity
• Loyalty
• Resilience
• Curiosity

Some of us – maybe even you – might be lucky enough to have money, physical beauty, connections, etc. Yet every single one of us can have the good fortune of self-respect if we follow our compass. Don’t get lost in the dead-end pursuit of what doesn’t truly matter (and perhaps is not even attainable). Use these lists as a starting point to help you define for yourself what you sincerely value as well as what you do not. Get the direction, reinforcement, and assurance that only your personal compass can provide.

Self-Discovery Tool Number 8
Make a list of your values – what direction does your own compass point? Is your time and effort spent wisely in support of your values or are you too focused on values that come from others? How might your life improve if you followed your personal compass more often?

Posted by learninglife at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)