Today I woke up in my new digs in my new city of Austin. Keeping in line with HGTV’s House Hunter’s theme – I have deemed my new (built in the 70’s) apartment the “Tree Top Bungalow”. Located on the top floor and on the corner of the building our only view is an expansive nature preserve filled with a variety of winged entertainers who love to greet each morning’s sunrise with a song. It’s a really good thing I enjoy their brand of music.
As I’m writing this, I’m staring out the window gazing upon a beautiful array of green foliage accented by a sea blue sky. Not too shabby.
But those are a few of the things that fall into positive category. Of course, there are some that fall into the “not so great” category as well. As with all big life changes – this move has come with plenty of tradeoffs.
In fact, I could look at this new change from a completely different perspective if I chose to do so. I could resent the fact that I left a place I adored, surrounded by people I loved and a thriving business which gave me deep satisfaction and I could allow myself to be filled with sadness and regret.
I do have that choice. I just have decided that option would not serve me or my life goals very well.
Building on my last year’s theme of fearless – I have made my intentional goal for 2019 to not just live . . . but to thrive.
In my relationships – THRIVE
In my work – THRIVE
In my health and fitness – THRIVE
In my mental health – THRIVE
For me, that means I am going to have to live with awareness.
If I am truly going to thrive instead of just exist – I will have a lot of daily even moment by moment decisions to make. Auto-pilot comfortable routines will need to be busted. Which means I need to do things differently – be open to change . . . embrace new ways of doing this thing called life.
I have already started. Just one small thing like changing my radio station to classical music has already had an impact. Traffic is crazy here! But I am driving in the stress free lane simply by tuning into symphonic joy. Another thing – less television more sky vision.
Thrive . . . walk, breathe and open my heart and mind to the sights and sounds of all my surroundings. Listen to my thoughts and be willing to change my naturally ingrained narrative. Connect with new people, new situations with a willingness to be personally challenged.
This is my goal today; because LIFE is an adventure . . . and I don’t want to simply be alive . . . I want to Live and Love and Thrive.
The Zen Den
Hello and welcome to The Zen Den. My name is Alison and while I am passionate about many things, my most inspiring driving force is human connection. Blogger, content writer, orthopedic exercise specialist, motivational speaker, international yoga pro, published songwriter, avid poker player, mom and wife are just a few of my titles. But when I do my job at NASA, I am known simply as “The Fairy Zenmother” a role I deeply love because people invite me into their space to help them find their center, relax and stretch their muscles and destress their mind. Here in the blogosphere version of The Zen Den, I invite you into my world where I will explore ideas for creating a better tomorrow and a kinder today. And hopefully, with insight, authenticity and humor; my words, observations and experiences will help you feel calm, centered, intellectually challenged and spiritually enlightened. Alternatively, if you have something you would like to see covered in The Zen Den, just let me know. Your feedback is welcome and valuable to the success of this blog. Finally, my heart is filled with gratitude to have this opportunity to share with all of you.
Alison another beautifully written Zen Den. You talk about all the same things we will face in our upcoming move and I wonder if we will be able to handle it in the same light that you talk about! It’s not easy to imagine it.