Self-Development is an ongoing journey that empowers individuals to grow, evolve, and achieve their personal and professional goals. It involves emotional, intellectual, and physical growth, enabling people to understand themselves and their potential better. This journey is essential as it helps refine strategies, improve skills, and stay ahead in a fast-changing world. At its core, self-development is about overcoming personal challenges, embracing opportunities for change, and living a life that aligns with one’s aspirations.

In this article, we will delve into the concept of self-development, its importance, practical strategies for fostering growth, and its profound impact on every area of life. 

Navigating the Exploration of Personal Growth

Personal growth is the ongoing journey of enhancing oneself through diverse approaches. It encompasses learning new skills, building better habits, and striving to become the best version of yourself. At its essence, individual development is about consciously working toward enhancing your emotional, mental, and physical state while aligning your actions with your values and goals.

True self-development requires a willingness to embrace change, face challenges, and step outside your comfort zone to achieve progress and fulfillment.

Why Personal Development Matters

Increased Self-Awareness

One of the key benefits of personal growth is heightened self-awareness. By reflecting on your experiences and values, you gain a clearer understanding of your strengths, limitations, and motivations. This awareness empowers you to make thoughtful decisions, build stronger relationships, and pursue a life path that aligns with your purpose.

Enhanced Confidence

Self-improvement naturally leads to greater confidence. Every milestone reached, whether mastering a new skill or achieving a long-standing goal, reinforces your belief in your abilities. This boost in self-assurance enables you to tackle challenges and pursue ambitious endeavors.

Better Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is an essential aspect of self-development. It involves understanding and managing your emotions, empathizing with others, and navigating complex social situations. A high EQ not only improves interpersonal relationships but also contributes to success in professional and personal settings.

Achieving Goals and Aspirations

Through the lens of individual growth, you can build the discipline and mindset needed to achieve your goals. Whether advancing your career, nurturing relationships, or pursuing a passion project, personal development equips you with the tools to succeed and enjoy the journey.

Practical Strategies for Development

Set Clear Goals

Setting measurable and achievable goals is the foundation of any self-development journey. Clarify your objectives and divide them into manageable, actionable tasks. Consistently evaluate your progress to remain focused and make adjustments as necessary.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset—the belief that abilities and skills can be developed with effort—plays a critical role in self-development. This mindset encourages resilience, adaptability, and a positive outlook when facing setbacks, helping you move forward with determination.

Commit to Lifelong Learning

Continuous learning is the bedrock of personal growth. Whether through formal education, reading, or experiential learning, expanding your knowledge enhances your capabilities. Dive into topics that inspire you, from emotional intelligence to creativity and leadership, and make learning a habit.

Practice Mindfulness and Reflection

Mindfulness helps you stay present and connected to the moment, while self-reflection allows you to assess your actions and progress. Together, these practices cultivate greater self-awareness and ensure your behaviors align with your goals. Incorporate mindfulness exercises such as meditation or journaling into your routine to promote clarity and focus.

Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

The people in your life significantly impact your personal development journey. Create a circle of supportive friends, mentors, and colleagues who inspire and push you to grow. Avoid relationships that drain your energy or hinder your growth.

Prioritize Physical Well-Being

Individual growth isn’t limited to the mind; physical health is equally important. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, proper sleep, and stress management enhance your energy and overall well-being, supporting your journey toward self-improvement.

The Ripple Effect of Personal Growth

Career Success

Personal growth has a direct impact on professional advancement. Developing leadership skills, improving communication, and fostering a growth mindset position you for greater opportunities. Staying committed to learning ensures you remain competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing work environment.

Stronger Relationships

Increased self-awareness and emotional intelligence positively influence your relationships. By understanding and empathizing with others, you strengthen personal and professional connections, fostering trust and collaboration.

Greater Fulfillment

A consistent focus on self-development brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose. As you achieve goals and overcome challenges, you build a life that feels meaningful and aligned with your deepest aspirations.

Conclusion

Self-development is a transformative journey that drives you toward your best self. By setting clear goals, committing to lifelong learning, and embracing personal growth strategies, you unlock your potential and cultivate a life of purpose and joy. The benefits of self-improvement resonate in every area of life, from professional success to meaningful relationships and inner satisfaction.

Whether you call it self-development, tone development, or personal growth, the essence remains the same: a dedication to continuous progress and becoming the best version of yourself.

Imagine a world where you wake up every morning with a spark of excitement crackling within you. It’s not just the anticipation of coffee or the thrill of a new day; it’s the deep-seated passion for evolving, growing, and becoming the best version of yourself. This, my friends, is the fire of self-development set ablaze, and it’s a fire that can transform every aspect of your life.

Yet, for many of us, this spark lies dormant, buried beneath layers of doubt, fear, and routine. We get caught up in the daily grind, forgetting the immense potential that lies within. But what if I told you that igniting your passion for self-development is not some mystical feat, but a journey anyone can embark on?

It all starts with a simple choice. Choose to step outside your comfort zone, question your limiting beliefs, and embrace the unknown. Take a moment to visualize your ideal self: the person you strive to be, the life you yearn to live. What skills do you need to acquire? What habits do you need to cultivate? What fears do you need to conquer?

Now, don’t get overwhelmed by the mountain ahead. Self-development is not about scaling Everest in a single leap; it’s about taking small, consistent steps. Start with one tiny spark: pick up a new book, join a workshop, or simply dedicate 15 minutes a day to introspection. As you nourish these flames, they will grow, illuminating the path ahead.

Remember, self-development is not a solo act. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who believe in your potential and challenge you to reach for the stars. Find a mentor or coach who can guide you through the rough patches and celebrate your victories. Build a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for growth.

And most importantly, be kind to yourself. This journey will have its ups and downs, moments of doubt, and periods of stagnation. Embrace the setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Remember, the most important flame is the one that keeps burning, even in the wind.

So, my friends, let’s spark our flames together. Let’s ignite a passion for self-development that illuminates our lives and lights the way for others. Let’s embrace the journey of becoming, step by step, flame by flickering flame. The world needs your unique light, so let it shine!

Everyone has had instances where they were unable to concentrate and found their mind wandering to things that had nothing to do with the task at hand. When this happens, it kills productivity as you cannot complete what you want in the time you have available. Many factors can impact your ability to concentrate and your productivity, and you need to eliminate or rectify them before they become a bigger issue. In this article, we will look at some things you should do to stay focused and increase your concentration.

Get Enough Sleep

Research has proven that not getting enough high-quality sleep can cause reduced alertness, slow mental processes, and decreased concentration. When this happens, you are unable to focus, and tasks that require reasoning and logic can become difficult or impossible to complete. The inability to concentrate also leads to worse memory as you cannot retain things you were not fully present for.

Improve Your Diet

Your diet affects mental clarity, sharpness and how you feel. Not eating the right foods that provide your body and brain with the fuel they need can lead to a loss of focus and concentration, with many people who do not eat well during the day feeling lethargic towards the end of the day. Also, not providing the body and brain with the right nutrients can lead to cravings and hunger, which can be pretty distracting.

Prioritize Tasks

Your engagement with a task often depends on how important and rewarding you think it will be. Some tasks can take longer, which means they require a prolonged period of focus and concentration, while some require little time and less concentration.

Prioritizing tasks helps you get enough time to complete those that are important and engaging for you. You can also mix in some shorter tasks, as that will get you into a different mindset. Sometimes, switching tasks can be the reset your brain needs to concentrate and focus better on essential tasks.

Get Outside Help

Another great way of enhancing your focus and concentration is by using cognitive enhancers. These supplements include ingredients that boost memory, increase mental energy, improve brain performance, and ensure more mental focus and concentration. It is important to do your research to ensure the supplements you choose use proven ingredients, are effective, and do not cause any adverse effects.

Eliminate Distractions

Whether you work at home or in an office, you are likely bombarded with a lot of information throughout the day. All this information requires some level of processing, which takes you away from a task you must complete. Since it can take up to 15 minutes to get back to the mental state you had prior, receiving such information can lead to decreased productivity.

There are many ways to reduce distractions, including muting notifications and using noise-canceling headphones to reduce noise. If you work at home, consider converting a room into a private office where you can get things done without getting distracted.

Exercise More

Exercise relaxes the body and can leave you more energetic in the morning, which is when most people get most things done. Sufficient physical activity also eliminates tightness that contributes to low-level discomfort that can make it more difficult to concentrate.

Exercise also provides the brain with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to focus and concentrate on tasks more intently, improving productivity.

Meditate

While exercise will rejuvenate your body, meditation can be a powerful tool for your mind. Starting a day with morning meditation will make your mind clear and focused. It will also help you throughout the day when a strong mind will allow you to stay concentrated on what needs to be done rather than following distractions. If you are new to meditation, you might want to explore 42 days of self-development program; a step by step guide on how to meditate and pay attention to one’s daily habits.

Building your focus and concentration is something you have to work on consistently. You need to change your habits or adopt new ones to ensure improved focus and productivity. Some changes like sleeping better are easy to implement with some simple tips, but learning how to prioritize tasks or get into the habit of exercising regularly can take some time.

What makes us love Harry Potter or most action movies? Why do we always cheer for the good guys? Why do we love a good story of challenge, perseverance and triumph?

Why makes these stories timeless?

The story of the hero has not changed for thousands of years. Since ancient times our traditions and culture venerate the myth of the hero on a mission. A hero leaves his or her home, faces challenges, triumphs and usually returns home as a changed man or women.

In 1990 the late American writer and intellectual Joseph Campbell wrote of the hero’s journey — the mythological journey that all men and women go through in life. He believed that the highest purpose in life was to complete this journey like some mythological voyage.

A hero is without shape and beyond time; the human need for heroes transcends all cultures.

The Need For a Story

What makes a hero unforgettable is not their strength but rather their will. We admire their ability to transcend defeat and persevere. When we watch them we temporarily become them. We live vicariously through them. This is the lure of sports — an average person can experience the glory of the players.

What makes a hero so undefeatable? What makes him stand up after being knocked down a hundred times? The answer is simple. A story. Not just any story, but one that involves a deeply personal path that the individual walks alone.

It may be a story that his or her grandparents told them while sitting around the fire or one a mentor once inspired in them or perhaps it’s the result of some deeply powerful event.

Regardless of the medium, the story has been absorbed deep into the hero. The ups and downs of his/her adventure are not seen as separate events but rather as parts of one whole.

Like a beautiful cloth the ups and downs of the journey weave together to form his life.

This is real motivation — motivation that sees past the failures and successes to some grander purpose of life.

Each goal, each step, each time you fall down is seen within a bigger context. Like seeing the forest in its beautiful entirety, a hero doesn’t focus on the individual trees and plants.

 Focus Rather Than Reaction

When we look at the bigger picture of our lives, we see the highs and lows as part of the journey. We avoid myopically focusing on separate goals and focusing our attention on a million different tasks. Instead of just reacting to events, we keep our focus.

To be honest, I have stumbled for the majority of my life looking for real motivation — one that lasts. I have jumped from goal to goal like a series of unsuccessful college romances.

My goals have served me well, but my direction hasn’t remained consistent.

It wasn’t until I questioned what was MOST important for me that my story became more well-defined. I wanted to do too many things in life. I can’t be the hero of my own story if I am trying to do everything and do nothing at the same time.

So I defined it.

How to Find Your Story

The first step is defining what is most important is focusing on what you want and cut out the rest. This clarity came to me in the form of a yellow legal pad and twenty-five well-thought-out things I wanted in life.

These were my goals, my dreams and my desires. I had a lot but I could only pick five. Doing this focused my attention and my life on the few things I really wanted. It allowed me to regain my purpose without feeling scattered like I did before.

Deciding which five things were the most important for me and physically writing them down acted as an affirmation of my own values. I put them on my wall to remind me.

The most powerful change always comes from the simplest things.

The exercise in priorities was not my trick but rather Warren Buffet’s. Buffet recommended this to his pilot who was struggling with what to do with his life. He advised him that the secret to ruthless determination is to collect your focus and only invest it into several dreams. Do not disperse it among twenty.

The moral of the story is that if you want motivation that transcends the individual goals and to-do lists, one that unites them all together in a greater purpose, you must define your story.

You are already a hero. You just need to create your story and live it.

1. Focus Your Energy

Use the exercise above. Using pen and paper or computer, write twenty-five things you want in life. Pick five. Set aside some time, an hour or so, to do this. You don’t want to be distracted.

You now have two lists — one to focus all your energy on and one to avoid. Put your lists on your wall in a place you can see them daily.

2. Embark on the Journey

This is both exciting and scary. Don’t start tomorrow. Start now. Like literally NOW.

• Want a blog? Sign up for one now.
• Longing to travel abroad? Go today to get your passport.
• Interested in becoming a photographer? Sign up for a class today.

There is no perfect time. Starting is the first step of the journey. Write down your goals. I break mine into yearly, every three months and weekly.

3. Battle Monsters

Happiness is a by-product of meaningful experience. It cannot be directly pursued, and if it is it won’t last.

Instead challenge yourself to battle the monsters in your life. Know that failure is part of the process.

4. The Hero Returns

The hero always returns home wiser and better. Reflect on your journey and share it with others. Nothing in life is as worthwhile as sharing with others.

Our modern world, with all the amazing progress and technology, has forgotten many of our roots. Modernity has slowly annexed the role of tradition.

As our world becomes more integrated, it becomes easier to forget our individual relationship with life.

We increasingly look outside for motivation. We love quotes and uplifting speeches, but rarely do we turn our attention inward and see that true motivation lies in your own story.

Define what you truly want in life and reclaim your motivation.

What helps you get through those hard times? Drop a comment below, and let me know how you keep yourself motivated.

During that awkward phase of high school when you are just as confused by what your math teacher says as what your hormones are telling you, my life shifted dramatically by the most dreaded experience for all school age children — I changed schools.

Thanks to the infinite wisdom of the local school board and their new school zoning policy, I was required to change to a new high school as a freshman. The standard adjustment period from elementary to high school was made exponentially more unenjoyable by the fact that my new school had an entirely new social demographic.

I went from the average awkward teenager to one who was so scared of just being looked at as he got off the bus that my entire body would break out in sweat. Forget talking to girls — walking through the halls at recess was difficult enough. All those eyes looking at me!

My family and friends encouraged me to be “more confident.” This is perhaps the worst advice you can give to someone who is border-lining on social anxiety disorder.

In retrospect I know their intentions were good, although their advice was just terrible. Did they just expect me to turn on the confidence switch in my head? Oh oops, I forgot to turn that on.

The process took a long time, and actually the only thing that built up my confidence systematically was athletics, especially wrestling and martial arts.

It wasn’t so much the coaching but rather the physical challenge. The better I got, the more my confidence grew and slowly expanded into totally unrelated realms. It was almost as if once I knew I was good at something, I knew I was good enough to talk with everyone.

What Most Of Us Get Wrong About Confidence

Telling someone to be confident is like telling someone to be happy.

Happiness cannot be pursued directly, and if it is, the results will almost certainly be both quickly forgotten and disappointing. Instead it is a byproduct of losing yourself in some pursuit, moment, sensation or idea.

Confidence is like happiness — it cannot be pursued. Rather it is a product of a life-changing process or experience.

There is a basic formula to create lasting confidence.

Being Scared of Something + Resolving To Do It + Doing It = Confidence

Inspirational quotes, pop psychology and self-affirmations are just temporary confidence boosts. Although they may make you feel good, they lack the fundamental base. They are like temporary Band-Aids.

Maybe you wanted to hear some secret formula, but like most things in life, the foundations of great beginnings are often deceptively simple. Only when we look from far away do they look complicated and inaccessible.

Challenge is the mortar used to build the foundation of confidence. We build confidence one success at a time. Perhaps this is the perennial lure of self-help — it provides an external source to lay that first foundation of confidence for self-development and growth.

This idea is echoed in childhood, where good parenting instills an illusionary sense of confidence. The “Wow. Honey you are so great” comment serves to build children’s confidence. However to lather such specious compliments on an adult comes across as fake and disingenuous.

What to Tell Someone Lacking In Confidence

Instead of telling them they are intrinsically great and amazing, instead offer them a challenge. They may not take it, but you have done your part. You can’t force confidence upon anyone.

Only a transformative experience can affect someone into creating LASTING change. Any challenge, regardless of how insubstantial it may seem, is the water and sunlight needed for the seed of confidence to grow.

There are no losers — as westerners we are so preoccupied with success that we often forget just taking on a personal challenge is transformative enough. Regardless of the outcome, taking on some sort of task and completing it shows one that he or she is capable.

I’ve been a high school teacher for the last eight years. I must admit, I’ve given up on the idea of inspiring change simply through giving life advice. Instead I offer challenges.

The students who lack confidence, I build them up. I start small. I empower them to create confidence for themselves. All the while I stand on the sidelines watching them build themselves up one challenge at a time.

The Unstoppable Confidence Plan

Remember the three steps for building confidence. Think Simple Right?

1. Pick something you are scared of.
2. Commit to doing it and follow through.
3. Become more confident as a result.

Sounds too simple? The beauty of simplicity is that it’s the underlying factor in the greatest achievements. It’s the water that slowly wears away the rocks or the steady hand that builds a masterpiece. Simple formulas can create uncommonly great things.

The next time someone is lacking confidence and they feel they can’t continue on or don’t know how to, don’t just lather them with well-intentioned, you-can-do-it comments.

Instead, offer them a challenge.

Do you have areas where your confidence is low? What would you like to be more confident about? Drop a comment below and let us know.

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Affirmations are a great way for you to reaffirm to yourself that it is possible for you to succeed in life. Affirming helps strengthen the beliefs you hold whether positive or negative, so start to use positive affirmations so that you can reprogram your mind to believe in yourself to a greater degree. Remember thoughts, feeling and actions. Positive affirmations lead to positive feelings, which lead to positive actions, which will lead to a positive life.

Thoughts + Feelings + Actions

Affirmations + Action will lead to results

Affirmations are perceived truths that you are trying to convince your mind that you can do something. Words empower or break you down, so speak with caution to yourself, as you are listening.

Say these affirmations for ten minutes a day in a state of belief and feel the feelings of having achieved these things. May these affirmations help you to live life at a higher standard and help you chase your dreams. Live life fearlessly and be bold in all your endeavours.

I have a millionaire mind

I am a multi-millionaire

I attract success into my life

I am learning and improving every single day

I attract the right people and knowledge into my life

I live abundantly

I am a dreamchaser

I am an entrepreneur

I am selfless

I live fearlessly

I am courageous

I am a magnet for success

I am healthy, wealthy and prosperous

I give love

I use my time productively

I help others get ahead in life

I give to those around me

I give charity daily

I am becoming the best that I can be

I am reaching my full potential

I am passionate about all that I do

I am ambitious

I am focused on success

I am destined for greatness

I am changing the world for the better

I am improving peoples lives

I am blessed

I am thankful to God

I am happy

I am grateful

I am a leader

I am humble

I am kind

I am compassionate

I am content

35 Faith Affirmations

Affirmations are a great way for you to reprogram your mind and visualize the life of your dreams. Affirming helps strengthen the beliefs that you hold within you whether they be positive or negative, so start to use positive affirmations so that you can reprogram your mind to believe in yourself to a greater degree. Remember thoughts, feeling, and actions. Positive affirmations lead to positive feelings, which lead to positive actions, which will lead to a positive life. Repeat these faith affirmations to yourself daily and you will see a positive change in your mindset, your actions, and your life.

1. “The faith I have in myself allows me to be successful.”

2. “I listen to the divine guidance I am given.”

3. “My faith propels me to meet my goals.”

4. “My faith in God sets me free from all worry, anxiety and doubt”

5. “My faith dictates my great lifestyle.“

6. “I feel whole and healed.”

7. “I may fail, but I am not a failure.”

8. “God helps me to do what I believe is not possible.”

9. “ I have faith and I take action.”

10. “I walk by faith and not by sight.”

11. “My faith will not let me experience defeat.”

12. “God is with me always.”

13. “I am blessed with the power to create change.”

14. “I have faith in my confidence and confidence in my faith.”

15. “My faith is my saviour.”

16. “I shall be glorified with my faith.”

17. “I do everything with an attitude of excellence.”

18. “God has a plan for me.”

19. “I let go of the past and have faith in the future.”

20. “I am moving in the right direction.”

21. ” I am ever increasing in wisdom and knowledge.”

22. “The universe naturally takes care of me and my needs.”

23. “My faith lifts me above my fears.”

24. “Above all, I have faith in myself.”

25. “Faith is the origin of my success.”

26. “Faith is my natural state of mind.”

27. “I pray for and take action towards my goals and destiny.”

28. “I believe in myself and my ability to achieve great results.”

29. “Through my faith, I can move mountains.”

30. “My steps are planned, and I trust the Lord.”

31. “I was made for a special purpose.”

32. “All my actions, thoughts and words are guided by a divine power.”

33. “My faith increases with each breath.”

34. “Faith is awakened in me now.”

35. “I have faith in my ability to achieve greatness.“

“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.“ ~Jimmy Johnson

“Write about what we did today,” my daughter said. She knows I often write once she is asleep.

Dully I thought, “What we did today wasn’t that exciting.” Yet, for her, it obviously was.

She gets lost in her experiences, deeply entrenched in the realms of her imagination that continue to weave each experience she is having.

From my perspective, I took the kids and their friends to a nature reserve so they could get muddy and play. I needed them outside, away from the house where cabin fever sets in quickly and the mess builds up even more quickly along with my stress levels.

Instead, we had a nice walk, first to see a waterfall, then for them to play in a stream and slide in the mud. After that, we had a picnic and I watched them all get lost in game after game led by their imaginations.

When we got home my daughter set about making a Lego creation; there is a national competition going on and she wants to enter. She created a platform with a throne for the queen to sit upon after she climbs the magical rainbow-colored staircase. She had been reflecting upon that staircase the night before long after she should have been asleep.

To the side of the queen was her courtier, and they overlooked a courtyard where many of her subjects had gathered so they could have a conversation. The courtyard was filled with beautiful flowers and another large plant that stands in the corner.

The nuances of this creation I am sure to have missed, but I glimpsed beyond the plastic bricks that my mind wanted to adjust here and there, resisting the urge to ‘fix’ them. It was a thing of beauty.

As is her habit every day, she also drew several pictures, each with its own story, ever evolving with lots of princesses and fairies. Then there was the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory audio book that she finished listening to, and the story of the Unicorn Riders we read at bedtime, each with their own stories and life lessons to untangle and reflect on.

Not to speak, of course, of the majestic bun she has insisted upon having in her hair these holidays, with four braids that I carefully reproduce every few weeks (after a trip to Fiji last year). My hair dressing skills seem to have unwittingly evolved in all these requests.

For me, I was just getting through another day of the school holidays. For her, though, she was a princess dreamily going about her day.

After the kids were asleep, I pulled out the journal I keep to record all the things to be grateful for, or that were uplifting. Here is the sad effort I wrote:

“The sun shining through the leaves at the reserve warmed my soul.” That was it, other than noting with thanks that my partner had gone to work all day long to provide us with money.

Yet when I’ve sat down to fill my cup with a little writing, another voice speaks from within. One that sees much more in the day than I obviously had at first glance; it sees the ‘extra’ in the ordinary.

When my daughter said to me a few days ago “It seems like I’ll have more fun when I’m young than when I’m old, Mum,” I understood why she thought that, but it also made me a bit sad.

I lamely told her adults experience fun in a different way, then I realized I was just kidding myself. While that in itself is true, I knew there was no kidding the kids; they know when you are having fun or not.

It’s time for an attitude shift. Sure, when I took the kids to the pools the other day, I did it to get it over with, since they have been nagging me for months to go. It’s an indoor pool, noisy, busy, and it stinks of chlorine. When I was a kid, I would have loved it too. Even as an adult, if I had peace to swim in the large pool it could be enjoyable.

But being responsible for the lives of two little kids who are not yet able to swim properly yet go hurtling into the depths when the wave machine comes on, and in separate directions, it’s not so relaxing.

Today, however, was more relaxing. No chlorine smell, only the smell of freshly cut grass. No loud echoing background noise, just the sound of kids laughing and playing.

Come to think of it, we passed a really tall tree with fruits scattered all over the ground underneath; they looked like lemons. Except this tree was about twenty meters tall, so it was a bit of a mystery to me, and it was quite nice just to notice it and wonder what it was.

It was also quite lovely to see the various dogs going past with their owners, clearly loving being out running around just as much as the kids were.

After our picnic I even joined in the fun by doing a pretend tap dance while all the kids sat on a bench watching and giggling.

When we got back to the house, the kids had all enjoyed their time in the fresh air and sat quietly drawing while I was able to hose down the clothes caked in mud. I have to admit to some satisfaction in seeing the colors of those clothes emerge again from the mud-brown-grey they had turned.

I enjoyed listening to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as much as the kids did, and it was interesting to connect the dots on a recurring dream I used to have, any time my life got a bit out of control, about the lift that went sideward and upside down.

And when I came to read them their bedtime story, the Unicorn Riders pulled me in to their mythical world and left me on a cliffhanger as it was time to turn out the lights.

Now, here I am, sitting contentedly tapping away on the keyboard. My cat is curled up next to me purring away. I am now reflecting on what a joy it is to have these kids that I waited for so long to come.

Even though they drive me nuts at times, and life can be pretty intense, it is worth it to glimpse life through their lenses.

I’ve also just realized that my long awaited new pillow arrived today, contoured to cater for exactly the way I sleep; this is not just great news, it is sheer bliss. How could I have left this and all these other snippets out my journal?

All these years spent longing for things, recording my dreams, and yet once they are here somewhere in my psyche they turn to hum drum, stressful even. “This is what it is to be human,” I remind myself. “To always want something more.”

It’s the age-old paradox of noticing what about my experiences I would like to change, while still appreciating in the moment the things that I do have. Instead, I seem to have slunk down into just taking for granted what I am experiencing and getting frustrated that what I want isn’t here yet.

This is dumb, I know. It would be healthier to celebrate the sheer miracle that this life I am leading has been entirely of my own making. There is so much power in that. I remember a few years back, when my partner complained to his godparent about how hard it was to look after the kids, she reminded him that this was his dream.

It’s true, it was our dream to have a family, and we spent years trying to make that happen. My partner even wanted two girls; he had names for them and everything. After we realized we needed to stop trying so hard, our wish came true.

But it’s not just about kids; it’s about the place we live, the life we lead, the people around us—it’s all of our own making. And it’s actually pretty spectacular.

I’m reminded of a little exercise of Marisa Peer’s I did one day, where I had to imagine seven-year-old me turning up at the front door of our house in my mind’s eye. I had to invite young me in and show her around. It was quite an emotional exercise. Looking at my life today through young me’s lenses was pretty gratifying.

Thanks to my daughter, the dull response to her initial thought that I should write about today has turned to a sparkle. It wasn’t so unspectacular after all, I realize. In fact it was quite extraordinary and really quite fun.

So often we focus on what’s lacking, or what didn’t meet our expectations, but we’re a lot happier when we appreciate the little things and recognize the beauty in the ordinary.

“Follow your bliss and let the magic of life happen.” ~Janelle Jalbert

Is there something you always wanted to do as a child, and for whatever reason didn’t do? Is there something that you have wanted to do for years? Perhaps it is something that didn’t seem practical. Maybe you felt you wouldn’t be very good at it or you didn’t have the time or the money.

You can ignore the urging, submerge it, and choose not to follow through on it. But it will show up again and again, and sometimes in the oddest places. For me it was in the toy aisle at a local department store.

Here’s what happened.

My husband and I walked into a popular department store, looking for the toy and game shelves. We wanted a board game we could play with our young grandchildren. I assume there was some kind of bland elevator music playing, but I didn’t notice it until it changed to an upbeat dance tune.

The beat caught my attention, and my feet, seemingly of their own accord, started to move to the rhythm. A minute later they started to tap dance.

As a child I wanted to learn to tap dance, but for some reason I never expressed that desire. Perhaps I was afraid of looking big and heavy in a dance costume, or feeling awkward on my feet. Whatever the reason, I never told my mother, I never took lessons.

The desire to tap dance stayed with me, most times submerged beneath school, friends and family. As a teenager I learned one tap step from a friend, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, and enjoyed shuffling and tapping just for fun.

That’s as far as I went with it. There was always too much else to do. Besides, what would I do with it even if I learned how to tap dance?

Fast forward through fifty years and there I was in the toy aisle, tapping and shuffling my feet. My husband, tolerant man that he is, just smiled at me. But my feet surprised me that day.

I’d love to be the kind of person who can just break out in song and dance and not worry about what other people think of me. I’m not. For me to dance in the aisles of a department store is unusual.

Add to that the fact that I’m a sixty-four-year-old grandmother with an arthritic knee and ankle. I danced anyway and laughed at myself.

Back home again I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. My husband sat at the counter reading a magazine. He said something to me and I looked over at him. The words “Take a Chance—Dance” headlined the page I saw in his hand in bold letters.

Okay, I thought, perhaps my feet and the Universe are telling me something.

“Bliss is doing that which fulfills you. Action that touches you deeply and fully. Bliss is active. Bliss is…following your dreams, desires, or heart.” ~Angie Karan

The next day I searched out a how-to tap dance video on my computer. I was delighted to discover a number of them specifically designed for absolute beginners.

I chose one, set the computer up where I could see it on the dining room table, and learned the first basic steps of tap dancing, shuffling and tapping around my dining room floor in my sandals.

My inner child was ecstatic. I smiled and laughed, stamped, shuffled, and tapped.

My husband walked in, no doubt wondering what all the stomping was about. “I’m learning how to tap dance!” I beamed. He smiled, shook his head, and left the room. I kept at it.

The emotional lift I felt from just those few minutes learning dance steps stayed with me all day. I smiled whenever I thought of it.

Our bliss may come in small packages. It may look like a subtle urging that has been with you since you were a child.

It may not be your life purpose, or even life changing. It may simply be something that allows you to express the childlike happiness that is within you. Something that many adults have forgotten is there.

I have no idea what learning to tap dance is going to do for me, or where it will take me. I do know that it is time for me to allow the desire that has been within me for years to express.

These longings stay with us for a reason. It is our soul talking to us through the language of our desires.

Why does my soul want me to tap dance? I don’t know. I do know that it’s fun and good exercise, and that’s enough for now.

What is your soul telling you? Let’s find out with a simple exercise.

Gather paper and pen and give yourself a few minutes of quiet time.

At the top of your paper write, “When I was a child, I loved to…”

Complete the sentence with a list of the things you loved to do as a child.

Now write, “When I was a child, I always wanted to…”

Complete the sentence with the things you wanted to do as a child but didn’t or weren’t able to do.

How many of these activities are part of your life today?

If your favorite thing to do as a child was to create models of rockets with plastic blocks, how are you expressing your love of creative construction in your life today?

What if you always wanted to go horseback riding as a child but only got to go once, and that love of horses is still with you? Could you sign up for horseback riding lessons today?

Perhaps you tell yourself you don’t have time or money for pursuits that are just for fun. Perhaps you tell yourself that you’ll get to that later. But if not now, then when?

Life zips by us while we are busy doing, doing, doing. Allow yourself to enjoy the journey. Listen to the urgings you feel inside. Don’t wait for some time in the future when you’ll have more time, money, or more accomplished. Do what you can to live a little bit of your bliss each day.

Now, if you’ll just excuse me, I have to Shuffle Off to Buffalo.