Tags
family, Friends, life lessons, love, New Year, relationships, self awareness, self improvement, work in progress
I was thinking of 2014 and I realized how important what I am doing at this very moment contributes to my future – no earth shattering news there but sometimes I catch myself going through the motions and not really living or paying attention to what I am doing.
I decided, to quote my favorite movie “Shaswhank Redemption”, get “busy living” instead of get “busy dying”. I decided to take a look at my present behavior to see if I am conducting myself in a way that benefits my future. What seeds am I planting?
Here are the questions I am asking myself, and in a way here is my self improvement list:
1) Am I getting enough sleep and drinking enough water?
2) Am I learning to accept, love and take care of my body the way it deserves?
3) Am I watching what I eat and drink? Am I getting enough protein and less sugar?
4) Am I making sure I am not overindulging in anything, and letting any one thing control me? Chocolate, TV, even a good thing such as exercise can become an addiction if I let it control me.
5) Am I reading more and watching less? Books are food for my mind and soul, TV can sometimes desensitize us and make us life observers and not participants. (of course there are bad books and good TV shows too!)
6) Am I making sure I am not wasting my time online with useless distractions? Online life can be addictive and unreal.
7) Am I simplifying my life? Getting rid of the excess, old and unused? Donate, trade, re-purpose!
8) Am I recycling and not wasting resources?
9) Am I keeping clean surroundings? A clean desk, house, mind means more efficiency.
10) Am I respecting my parents and my elders? Am respecting their opinions, their limitations?
Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death. ~Anaïs Nin
11) Am I being kind to strangers? Am I being kind to all, especially when it is most difficult to do?
12) Am I surrounding myself with quality people, good energy people? Am staying away from negativity?
13) Am I getting myself out in the world and networking and cultivating good relationships?
14) Am I updating my resume and qualifications? Am I being ready and prepared should I come to need it?
15) Am I giving back to the community, to the world? Am I volunteering my time and energy to worthwhile causes? Am I donating money?
16) Am I obeying the laws, written and unwritten?
He who knows others is learned;
He who knows himself is wise.
~Lao-tzu
17) Am I being moral and ethical? Am I making sure that I am not taking shortcuts?
18) Am I replacing old bad habits with new good ones? For example, taking a walk after dinner instead of sitting in front of the TV.
19) Am I facing my fears and getting out of my comfort zone? This is the where and when my soul shines and my self esteem rises!
20) Am I smiling often? Am I smiling when things are good and smiling even more when things are bad?
21) Am I making sure I am not settling for less than what I deserve for fear (of something, the unknown, of being alone, etc)?
“It takes courage…to endure the sharp pains of self discovery rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives.”
― Marianne Williamson
22) Am I talking less and listening more? Am I using my words for the good?
23) Am I using my skills and talents to the best of my abilities?
24) Am I always learning something new? (to me this is the key to staying young)
25) Am I praying and having positive thoughts throughout my day? Am I trusting the God/Universe/Light within me?
26) Am I being in the moment? Am I being conscious of my actions and not going through life as a robot?
27) Am I forgiving and forgetting? Am I forgiving others for wronging me?
28) Am forgiving myself for past mistakes? Am I taking corrective measures to right and wrong but not dwelling in it?
29) Am I learning to ask for help and accept help when I need it? Am I offering help?
30) Am I creating goals and working towards achieving them?
All men should strive to learn before they die
what they are running from, and to, and why.
~James Thurber
31) Am I keeping stress at bay, by learning to relax, breathing and hitting pause when necessary?
32) Am I being non-reactive? Am I making sure that I am not being impulsive with my actions?
33) Am I being financially responsible and living within my means? Am I cutting out unnecessary expenses? Am I having respect for my money and the hard work I put in to get it?
34) Am I accepting people as they are, and not imposing my will on them? Am I being non-judgmental?
35) Am I welcoming pain, problems, obstacles, challenges, etc, as a growth opportunity? Am I looking at the situation and learning from it?
36) Am I loving when hating would be easier?
37) Am I being grateful for all I have been blessed with? I am honoring my blessings and not taking anything for granted?
This is an on-going list as I am a work-in-progress!
“It is necessary … for a man to go away by himself … to sit on a rock … and ask, ‘Who am I, where have I been, and where am I going?”
― Carl Sandburg
catterel said:
Good questioons. But do be careful of getting TOO obsessed by self-analysis. Have a contented Christmas xx
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Great point! Maybe number 38 should be: Don’t get too obsessive about anything.
Thank you and you too have a blessed Christmas! 🙂
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A Prophetic Walk said:
Excellent! I will be printing this list if I may!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! Please go ahead and add and subtract things as need be!
A blessed weekend to you! 🙂
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A Prophetic Walk said:
Thanks…you too!
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elizabeth2560 said:
Great post.
I have enjoyed your posts this year. I am taking three weeks off-line now and will return in January.
Have a great Christmas and ‘see’ you in 2014.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! Have a great time off and holiday season! I hope you come back renewed and relaxed! 🙂
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weggieboy said:
An excellent and thought-provoking post!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed! 🙂
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Pink Ninjabi said:
Love! This list! Especially 21, 35,36. Thank you so much for the honesty in these questions. It really made me take inventory with myself.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Pink, awesome, I am glad you enjoyed the list. It is great to look back and see how far we have come and also to look forward and see how even more amazing you can become! Have a blessed holiday season and many blessings in 2014! 🙂
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Carl D'Agostino said:
Part of 12 Steps is taking an inventory from time to time but keep it simple. You may profit visit to blog A Friend to Yourself. Thanks visit my blog and have happy holidays.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Keeping simple is one of my aims, but easier said than done to me. I start simple and then all all of a sudden things get out of control 😦
Thank you for the blog tip, I will look it up for sure!
Have a blessed holiday season! 🙂
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kilokean said:
Love the list. I am a list maker myself from way back…all of these are high ideals, but they might work better if you attacked them in groups. Pick three and attack them for a few weeks, then pick 3 more. It’s easier to be actively minded about a few things, otherwise it gets overwhelming and you tend to say to heck with it.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Great idea! I like the idea of a list so every now and then I can refer to it and get reminded of some thing I have forgotten.
I will definitely try the slow and steady approach!
Thank you and a blessed holiday season to you! 🙂
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searchingforsubstance said:
oh man.. so many of these questions i ask myself too! i am especially guilty of not drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, not reading enough, or being in the moment.
i also like how you included recycling and not wasting resources. =) great list! hope you can aspire to many of these for the upcoming year.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Happy Holidays! We are very alike as those are the exact same things I struggle most with. May we both conquer that and many more!
Many blessings in the New Year! 🙂
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girlseule said:
After an over indulgent 2013 and finishing on a note of no career, no boyfriend and 5kg heavier than I was in Jan, I think I need to ask myself a lot of these questions! Great list.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
That means that things in 2014 can only get better for you. You have the chance of trying a new profession, getting a better boyfriend and losing weight or learning to love the weight you are in. Focus on the positive! That is what I am doing 🙂 Thank you for reading and commenting!
Many blessings to you in the New Year! 🙂
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vshapefit said:
The complete list is overwhelming but each question is of great value, when answered, honestly. It is a thought-provoking article, thank you!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
I have thought of another 10 items for that list! :)yep I can be overwhelming! But it is meant to be a guide for me and a reminder of certain areas I need to work on. Thank you for liking it and commenting.
A blessed 2014 to you! 🙂
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laplacesanstemps said:
I like the way you write! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
thank you so much! Awesome that your blog is in French, I am learning French so this is a great way to practice!
Have a blessed 2014! 🙂
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laplacesanstemps said:
You made me smile! I’m glad to be helpful!
Have a great new year, too!
Camelia
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Awesome! I love to make people smile!
Amazing artwork! 🙂
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laplacesanstemps said:
Thanks, beautiful star! I can’t stop reading you, You’re a sweet warmhearted woman… Well, sharing the path of same age, same painful experiences in a way makes me feel close to you. You’re my favourite discovery if I can say that.
Beautiful articles, witty and sincere.
Take care,
Camelia
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Camelia. wow thank you for the awesome comment! It makes me think that in 2014 I should stop being lazy and write more.
You and your artwork are inspiring! Here is to closing 2013 with beautiful discoveries! Blessings! 🙂
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