5 Simple Life Lessons I’ve Learned

Here are 5 simple lessons I’ve learned that I want to share with you as I reflect on life during these holidays.

Sometimes the hustle and bustle of shopping and the buying of gifts around Christmas time overwhelms us. We forget what is really important in life.

Life is short.  

This one is obvious especially for us who have lost loved ones early on in their life.

I was reminded of how short life is this year.  

My brother was diagnosed with a very serious cancer, last year at this time and had major surgery that could have gone either way.   Fortunately everything went well and he is doing fine today.

I’m so thankful that the flexibility of my business allowed me to jump on a plane and be there for him and his family during a very difficult and scary time.

We cannot take life for granted and must make the most of it while we have our health. It can be gone so quickly.

Uncomplicate life.  

This one I need reminding of all the time.  Life does not have to be so complicated.

Yet I can get so wrapped up with things that are not really important and get myself so stressed out about it.

So this past month I spent time doing the basic things that make life simple.

One of them was attending a motivating business convention with my team which helped bring me back down to earth.

We can make life uncomplicated by keeping focused, setting goals and delegating to create more clarity.

Celebrate the joys.  

Too often we do not celebrate the joys in our life, but instead focus only on the negative things that happen to us.  

In the fall, my daughter gave birth to our first grandchild, a beautiful little girl. I was there to help her with the home birth, and I am so thankful that I was.  It was so amazing, touching and personal.

I would not have wanted to miss it!  And I am so thankful I was with her and her husband.

Being there to celebrate the joy of her new baby is what life is all about!

Make space for personal time/therapy.  

This is one that we can easily forget as we get burdened down with work, day to day routines or family chores.

You need time for yourself, time to de-stress, time to chill out, time to unwind and time for self-care.

Whether it is just taking a nature walk in the woods, walking the dog, reading a self-help book, getting a massage,  or even seeing a therapist, it’s about you. It’s all about waking up and smelling the roses!

My favourite time is walking my dog.  It gives me time to think, relax and exercise at the same time.

The best part is, he is full of unconditional love! I call him “my big hunk of love!” Just like the Elvis Presley song.

So make sure you have time in your hectic schedule for yourself.  

Always be authentic.  

Yes, finally always be authentic in everything you do.

Whether it is your personal life or your business, professional life. I’ve learned that it is so important to be authentic, to be true to yourself.

If you don’t, you will create internal stress that you do not need. And that stress and regret will eat away at you.

Sometimes it is hard to be authentic because we think we will hurt someone’s feelings. In fact, being authentic creates respect and admiration and draws people to you.

Be honest and real in everything you do, all year round. It’s the only way to live.

Those are 5 simple life lessons I’ve learned.  

You may have different ones.  But nevertheless, at this time of year, it is important to reflect on them.  

And if you haven’t thought about them, now is a good time as you prepare to start a new year!

Write them down, and post them where you can see them everyday.

You will be glad you did!