Ten Points to a Simply Higher Quality of Life

ONE: Take only what you need.

Understanding that some need more than others. Don’t judge those who seem to you to be “possession happy” or conversely those who seem “possession poor”. If you are satisfied with what you have, then be happy. Who cares about the others? Their seeming glut or lack is their concern NOT yours. For me, what I need is a job to pay the bills. For me what I need is a job to pay the bills I have, buy food and generally be able to sustain in a middle-class sector of society. I’m not indicating the less you have the more likely you are to be close to what true happiness is. Those on welfare generation after generation are not getting what they need because they are not getting it themselves. Others are and there’s something not quite right with it in my opinion, and that’s all it’s worth.

TWO: Don’t be drawn into another’s expectations.

You’ll always disappoint yourself. Easy enough to understand and I think I wouldn’t get too much argument on this point. But, I think this one is the hardest ones to overcome or, at the very least, the most difficult to recognize. Once you do realize you are living up to other’s expectations it takes all you’ve got to stick by your convictions to follow what you know to be your path in life and try your hardest not to give in; to attempt to please those around you.

I had lived most of my childhood and a lot of my adult life this way…and for what? For the sake of avoiding being yelled at or lectured! When I was 18 I declared I wanted to be an actress. When that was put down as an impractical career choice too tough and so fiercely competitive I was, unknowingly, scared into a life of searching for my stable, sensible career choice. What I ended up with was a series of jobs ranging from dead-end to stressful, high pressure work. I was fulfilling my need to help others in most of these jobs. They were customer facing but all of them did one of two things to me: bored me out of my mind or stressed me to panic attack levels. One day my panic was so great that I couldn’t even get out of the car to go in to work. I had my husband drive me home. I called in a vacation day. I reasoned it was a mental health day. It was a Friday and I could use the weekend to re-adjust myself. The truth was no amount of hours away from that job could cure my problem. I was caught in the trap of trying to please everyone, with one obvious exception- me. Twenty years was enough and really too much, but you can’t cry over spilt milk. All we have is the present and from the present we can act for our future. Once I started to meditate and journal my thoughts out daily, my life began to alter in very remarkable ways. I developed my natural creative writing ability and through that envisioned my place was not in corporate America but working from home as a writer. To my family it was about as impractical as acting. Though I had fallen for that line twenty years ago, I was not about to trash my vision of a writer’s life. I still have resistance from them today though age has affected the vehemence of their protests to low sarcastic grumbles. That’s why it is so important to stick to what you feel is right for you. Think about it, as a well-adjusted, productive and competent adult, how can anyone know what is best for you? As the saying goes, better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Better to die knowing “What an awesome life!” than wondering “What if…?” Meet death with an exclamation point not a question mark.

THREE: Have friends, love family and share thoughts often.

It’s one of the big reasons why we are here. Though after six decades and a handful of years, I’d caution you to choose the ones you share with carefully. Seek out the open-minded ones, younger ones and those you have seen show their beliefs in action. When you align yourself with like-minded people you can feel free to share. Also, remember the sharing works both ways so be equally prepared to listen without judgment, truly.

I have many types of friends and share different parts of my life with these different types of friends. This is not to suggest I hold back or that I’m being deceptive. For example, sharing your fandom for Star Wars with a friend who has never seen the movie; obviously you talk about mutual interests with like-minded people. That said we all have various interests and that’s fine. And if you made a faux pas sharing a Star Wars quote or joke with your non-Star Wars fan, no real harm or foul. Yet, up the stakes to a more controversial subject like political views… look out! Now you may be in for a lively debate, but that can be okay too as long as you’re among respectful, open-minded, equal opportunity listeners. I know- I know, they are rare and rarer still are the ones who believe in this to their core but trust me you know what the opposite is because you are either related to them or have had them as friends. We’re talking toxic here! Not just- oh I think you’re wrong and here’s why and let’s have a biting debate about it then still smile and shake hands. No, I mean toxic to the point of slamming your head against a concrete wall! No prisoners and NO survivors! STOP! Just stop! It can be difficult but do not engage those who refuse, put down or worse ridicule your thoughts and feelings that you’ve shared. You know who they are, the ones with “good intentions” and “for your own good” and “oh dear you are horribly mistaken!” I know who they are in my life and my life has been far more enjoyable without them or at least not seeing them as often. I call it settling into a natural drift. When you must engage these toxic wonders devote yourself to the old adage: the less said the better. If you are directly addressed; polite, short answers will suffice. If pursued further use “Excuse me, so sorry, I need to use the restroom.” And hope, to all that’s holy to you, when you return they’re focusing on another who’s blundered into the trap of toxic nicety or just plain toxic tirade.

FOUR: Never retire.

What does it mean anyway? You can retire from a certain activity, but never from life. Dictionary says roughly, “to sleep, relax”. That’s okay for a time but it can get boring. Life is much more when you are contributing and “doing” something. Thus, I will never stop making money. As long as these hands move they can create should I derive income, disposable or otherwise great! My future income is assured- that’s why we hold a job or career to provide a stipend after we retire from that activity called work!

FIVE: Consider not squirreling away huge sums of money.

To what end? Okay, okay put enough aside so your survivors can live a decent life, but not massive sums of excess for those survivors to plunder or waste and get angry fighting over. I’ve seen that and I should never want to know I left that much behind for people to squabble over for months and years. Only the lawyers get wealthy. (This point is related strongly to point one)

SIX: Devote time to your passions.

Don’t do something because it’s the trend or what’s supposed to be done. Live a life by the heart and you’ll love your life. Pepper it with intellect and voila…! You are now a rich tapestry of memories and experiences to share and remember with those who want to listen. So, if the trendy thing is what you want then by all means, do it. And don’t ever be ashamed to do and embrace what makes you happy.

SEVEN: Humor- Have it, keep it, use it… frequently!

EIGHT: I am where I am because I ended up here with what I did.

If you really want to be somewhere else, odds are you’ll find a way to change it. If it feels unduly forced or difficult, perhaps you didn’t want the change anyway. (Remember #2 and figure out whose expectations you’re trying to live up to.)

NINE: Seek you own Truth and live it freely.

No one can tell you the meaning of your life. If they do, you’re living their life. Also, be prepared to live with the consequences of living your Truth or if you choose, another’s Truth.

TEN: Please note…

The points I’ve stated are my opinion, my viewpoint, based on my experiences from 36 years and now- at 62 years- I still agree with my younger self. If you happen to embrace them and agree that is a beautiful thing to me. If not, you will find your own path in your own way. But this I know as a universal truth…We must all look within to discover our true happiness and we are not seeking a destination. We’re on the journey of life and creating our best way of living individually and with those who we love (and -yeah- those we just like to hang out with too).