We often hear people describing themselves as creatures of habit.Our habits define us at the end of the day because they arebehaviorsthat reflect some aspect of our souls, hearts and minds.
For example, your behaviors reflect the personality you embody and the kind of energy you exude. The law of attraction dictates that the universe will manifest the things you focus on.
Being mindful of the way you think allows you to shed light on your patterns of behavior and can help you identify habits that may be holding you back from achieving the most in life.
Some of the world’s most successful people adopt these habits, soperhaps you’d like to give them a try as well.
Expressing gratitude every day
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie
Research conducted at Harvard found that there were positive outcomes associated with expressing gratitude every day.
While many of us do this during the holiday season or on special occasions when we’re moved by festivities, why do we hold back in our everyday lives?
We take a lot for granted, and reminding ourselves of the value of the little things can be important to aligning with the spirit of accomplishing our goals. This may look different for everyone. For some, it might be saying a gratitude prayer, while for others, it might mean expressing gratitude publicly or even noting it down in a journal.
Prioritizing self-preservation
“I have the belief that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.”- Audre Lorde
We’ve all heard of self-care, and the first thing that pops up in our minds when we think about it isa spa day, bath bombs, face masks, and other self-care related activities.
But let’s talk about self-care for your soul; what are the things you’re doing to achieveinner peace? Are you honest and authentic with yourself? When outlining the areas you need to work on,are you being too hard on yourself?
Before you move to nourish your soul, take a step back, and consider the importance of self-preservation. It tends to come off as selfish to some people, but there’s a difference between the two.
When you are cognizant of your time and the emotional labor you put into your life and well-being, you’re carving out space for yourself to grow and focus on being the best version of yourself. Only then will you be able to give back to the people you want to help succeed as well. Remember, you have to secure both feet on the ground before you help others.
Maintaininga healthy body and mind
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. ― John F. Kennedy
A sound mind and a healthy body go hand in hand. Incorporating physical exercise in your everyday life is essential for reasons other than building physical strength. It helps you feel more confident about yourself and your abilities.
Try it out. Start with 20-minute exercise regimens during the day or night. You can engage in high intensity training or keep it to minimal movements like yoga. Make sure you follow through with the entire regimen and are consistent for a minimum of two weeks.
The results of this little experiment will come as a pleasant surprise to you. You will notice you have a more positive outlook, and it’ll help you stay motivated toward your goals. It will also help you relieve stress and manage your emotions better.
Letting go of things that don’t bring you peace
“Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.”― Roy T. Bennett
Marie Kondo your spirit, and let go of judging yourself and others. While there are some habits that are harmless or helpful, there are others you are better off learning to live without.
While we like to believe in transforming our lives by adding things to it——letting goof behaviors like jealousy, comparing yourself to others, and engaging in mindless gossip is MANDATORY.
These behaviors are not positive cathartic releases, but rather, they’re ways for you to feel better temporarily that also come with a price – more negative energy. They may make you feel better in the moment—just like going through a tub of ice cream in one go—but in the long run, they can lead to some deep-seated insecurities.
Don’t undo the work you’re putting in to become a person by compromising on these values. It takes a lot of self-reflection and acceptance of bitter truths in order to achieve inner peace.
Practicing a sustainable life
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
Sustainability has become a buzzword for many brands and businesses, and there’s no reason to shy away from focusing on it for your personal development either. Some of the most brilliant minds have been talking about practicing sustainability and protecting our resources. In recent years, it has gained even more traction. It’s never too late to make this a priority in your life.
Outline eco-friendly goals you want to set for yourself this year. It couldbe something as simple as cutting down plastic usage, water waste, or something more complex, like learning how to compost or starting a kitchen garden. Pick a goal that you feel you’re passionate about and you can focus on in your everyday life. If it aligns with your lifestyle, it will be easier to stay consistent with it instead of forgetting about it.
Educate yourself on the ways your lifestyle may not be environmentally conscious and think of realistic ways to adopt better practices.
You can even think about supporting smaller businesses that invest in sustainable packaging and buying organically grown food.
Being consistent and practicing these habits daily will help you feel more connected with the earth and all souls and willremind you of why you wanted to make these changes. The more you care for Mother Earth and humanity, the more clarity you may have for your own journey.
For more information, explore the Tao Academy.