Shortcuts to living artfully. For your heart, mind, and spirit
“Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t.” – Richard Bach
Will you thrive after COVID?. What good can come out of this?
The notion that many of us are capable of growing stronger and more joyful after overcoming adversity and trauma has always resonated with me.
Now in the most hopeful, vaccination stage of the COVID pandemic, we need to learn more about PTG (posttraumatic growth), that ancient spiritual concept of a resplendent dawn after the dark night of the soul.
Adapted for the modern times and supported by academic rigor, PTG was brough to the fore in 2004 in a paper written by Richard G. Tedeschi and Lawrence G. Calhoun, University of North Carolina, Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence.
We have reason to feel more optimistic and motivated now that we know that we can change our positivity set point, harvest personal growth, and welcome a host of positive emotions, even after a traumatic experience.
The most important thing is to commit to self-caring so that we nurture ourselves, so we can be of greater service to others.
Shortcuts to living artfully
We call these shortcuts because they don’t take long to implement. In fact, all it takes is a decision we make in a second or two.
Granted, some people seem to be imbued with a natural positivity that propels them to see the best in everything. Even when staring at hardship in the face, they are able to ask.
“What good can come out of this? How can I make things better? What can I still be grateful for?”.
The good news is that we can train ourselves to be this way. Once we make the decision to really love our hearts and minds, we can proceed to delight our senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
Living with this awareness constitutes the Art of Living.
Present your dishes at home with as much attention and flair as you would expect from the finest restaurant.
For your heart, mind, and spirit:
“EXPRESS LOVE”
- Practice mindfulness, stay in the present.
- Notice and appreciate everything good, pleasant, or comfortable.
- Think of things that delight you. What makes your heart sing?
- Feel gratitude for all things big and small. Write a list. Journal.
- Meditate, pray, affirm, read, or listen to inspirational material at the start of your day.
- Learn at least one new thing every day
- Home made marmalade is a personal treat and a thoughtful gift.
- Do or say something kind to as many people as you can.
- Find your area of creative expression and get on with it.
- Nurture your faith. Establish a personal “feel-good” ritual.
“BLESS YOUR FOOD”
For your body and sense of wellbeing:
- Stay hydrated.
- Walk in nature.
- Stretch your body.
- Do light weight training.
- Bless your food.
- Consume more fruits and vegetables.
- Eat slowly and set a proper table even if it’s just for one.
- Dance – it doesn’t matter how well.
- Go on a picnic.
- Take yourself out on a date.
“SPARK JOY”
For your personal space:
- Cleanliness and order
- Music, chimes, personal instrument
- Surround yourself with things that “spark joy”.
- Bring the outdoors in: flowers, grasses, branches, twigs.
- Bringing nature inside has many beneficial effects: aesthetic, emotional and spiritual.
- Design a personal altar or feel-good display.
- Fragrance: pot pourri, scented candles, diffusers, incense
- Art that speaks to you.
Creative expression through watercolors, a delightful ritual enhanced by music, fragrant candles and a favorite wine.
Feel free to send us a photo of your take on the art of living. We will share as many as we can.
Foto de portada crédito: Mary Ann Rotondi
