How can you live an extraordinary life?
“My life is so ordinary,” an acquaintance complained. Everyone wants an extraordinary life. The next time you wonder why your life is so ordinary and boring, consider what an ‘extraordinary life’ means for you. Do you feel unhappy because you keep comparing yourself to others? No one has a perfect life including those you consider extraordinary.
For many, an extraordinary life means a life of great wealth. This is not surprising since we are bombarded with information about modern-day heroes who have amassed massive fortunes and global influence. We seem to forget that exceptional innovation, intelligence and hard work helped them reach great heights. They focused on their passion, took big risks and ignored naysayers on their way to the top. We are taught and made to believe that great wealth and influence will give us an extraordinary, trouble-free life. However, most humans seek fulfillment rather than just wealth.
What holds you back from living a more extraordinary life? You may be reluctant to admit that a significant area in your life is messy. Maybe you are bored with what you do. Maybe a relationship you once cherished has gone south but you prefer to believe otherwise. You agonize and overthink it instead of accepting the truth, letting go, embracing the inevitable pain, and moving on to a more vibrant life. Many times, we tend to stumble on ourselves and blame others for our boring lives.
Fear plays a mighty role in preventing you from engaging fully in your life. Any change is frightening to most people. You procrastinate and cling to familiarity rather than moving into unfamiliar territory. Since change is necessary to live the life you envision, address your fears. Assess what keeps you in a state of mental rigor mortis and take the first step.
Letting go can be hard if you are emotionally attached to a particular way of living. Maybe you are comfortable with some elements in your life now and fear losing them if you move forward. Perhaps others have told you that this is the best way to live and you almost believe them. You become fearful and anxious. What if disaster strikes the moment you take a step forward?
A therapeutic way to silence these irrational fears is to immerse yourself in Nature. Take solo walks to commune with yourself and understand your needs. Nature has a way of revealing what you need most to feel fulfilled. Once you make a decision, draw a mental map of how you plan to get there. This will make changes easier and more exciting. Avoid energy vampires and reach out to those who make you feel good. When you feel better, you make better decisions.
While you plot and plan your way to a better life, appreciate the small things in your ordinary life in the Now. Renew your sense of appreciation for what you already have. Try to be more aware of everything you do. It could be brushing your teeth, taking a shower, working, listening to someone or eating. Do your daily chores cheerfully. Once you engage more with how you are living in the present, you will feel happier and gain more clarity on how you can enhance your life. Living your ordinary life with extraordinary awareness and joy is the first step towards change and fulfillment.
What if you have got it all figured out and know what you want? What if you are ready to make the move now? Go ahead and take the leap. Life is too short to be spent fearfully, frozen in the same place. The jump is exhilarating and the water is refreshing as you swim towards a more extraordinary and fulfilling life. And the naysayers? Ignore them. They will remain frozen where they are, always judging, always dreading innovation, and eternally fearful of taking a step forward.
