Establish Values, Create A Plan To Ensure A More Fulfilling Life

Often, we get entangled in the details and demands of living our lives. We don’t take time to think or wonder if where we’re headed is where we want to end up. We also seldom pause to savor the mini-victories and magic moments we experience. Only later do we look back and say, “That was fun.” Or, “We did well there; I’m proud of us.”

Here is a list of what I consider to be 10 important parts of a fulfilling life. This list is a starting point. It is a reference for you to use to consider and compare to what you feel is important in your life. The goal is to have a written list. It becomes a benchmark and reminder of what you believe. Here are the major factors in building and sustaining a fulfilling life.

1. Have values and don’t stray from them. Know what you believe in. Our conscience is our guidance system for moral behavior.

2. Learn acceptance rather than tolerance. Acceptance allows others to be who, what and how they are without any residual emotions. Tolerance is repression and eventually leads to emotional outbursts or even violent acts.

3. Do work that is important. Work consumes more than one third of the average person’s life. When the worker perceives that what they do adds to the well-being of those they serve, it creates the feeling of fulfillment.

4. Develop and use both sides of the brain. This leads to an improved ability to think and a more balanced approach to life.

5. Donate freely without any expectations in return. Give for the sake of improving, not for recognition. Giving anonymously is an easy way to practice this.

6. Be grateful and show gratitude. Many people help create a fulfilling life. Say thank you. Acknowledge the efforts of others. Don’t allow any act of kindness or help to go unthanked.

7. Be humble. Whenever the ego urges recognition of individual greatness, look at the vast, clear, star-filled sky at night. Or, study a dew-drenched spider web and try to duplicate it.

8. Enjoy simplicity. The happier you are with simple things, the simpler it is to be happy.

9. Take time to reflect and think big thoughts. The human mind can think expansive imaginings. It also can create and experience the products of those thoughts.

10. Have a written master life plan and then follow. it. It is a near guarantee of experiencing a fulfilling life.

These are my 10 building blocks. What are yours? Some might be the same; I doubt they all will be. Maybe your list will have 15 entries or maybe only seven or eight. The number doesn’t matter.

Work on your list until you feel you have it complete — for now. Then, keep it in an easy-to-remember place where you can look at it at least once per week.