L' Chiam!

On May 9th, I celebrated my half birthday.......I am now officially 66 and 1/2 years old!  I was recently asked to articulate one word that describes how I feel about my age.... That word would be, WOW.    While this is a rich time with opportunities to be creative, have wonderful adventures and to connect with friends, it is also daunting to know that I (probably) have lived more than half my life and while anything can happen at any time in life, the reality is something will happen sooner rather than later and I will eventually die.  I am not trying to be morbid here - really, I’m not.  I am trying to face the reality of life and death and to live my life as fully and happily and healthily as possible in the time I have left.  To encourage myself to live to my fullest and to provide support for myself as I face each day,  I have created some queries in the format of some simple questions and answers to remind me of how I can best live each day fully, happily and honestly. 

There is a Hebrew word, L’Chiam which means, “To Life!”  This simple word represents not only a toast to be exclaimed before taking a sip of sweet wine,  but to me, it is an affirmation of life;  of living every day to the fullest. In spite of the pain, suffering, problems and challenges we face, it’s an attitude to embrace being alive - right now in the here and now........And so, I offer this to you as well.......

                          L’Chiam!

1. You are going to make mistakes.  How do you learn the lessons and move on?

2.  What happens when you don’t trust your guts?  What have you noticed about this?

3.  Do you ask questions ? Do you ever refrain because of fear?  Remember, the only stupid question is the one not asked. 

4.  Are you being true to yourself? Be who you are - not who others want you to be.

5.  How many times do you not get what you want because you didn’t ask.  ASK for what you want. It’s impossible to get what you want if no one knows. 

6.  Not sure what you want?  Maybe you really ought to tune into yourself.  You’re 

 important.

7.  Have you gone into situations with a lot of assumptions?   See if you can make 

your mind a blank slate for a little while and assume nothing.

8.  What do you love to do? Do you do it?  Why or why not?

9.  How do you handle change?  Change is inevitable.  Change what you can. Accept 

 what you can’t. Let go of the rest. 

10. The saying goes, “Seeing is believing.”  Have you noticed that believing is seeing. 

 Check it out.

11. Where do you find the mystery in your life? Life is mysterious; stop being so serious.

12. What are your dreams and goals?  How are you manifesting  them?  Remember, 

 one step at a time will get you there.

13. Get a little judgmental sometimes?  When you find yourself judging others, inquire within. What is it about yourself that you’re really upset about?

14.  What do you do when you are totally stressed?  Try taking some deep breaths.      

Take a bubble bath. Do some yoga. Do something completely opposite to what you 

 are currently doing.

 15. If you think you can, you’re right; if you think you can’t, you’re right again.  Which    

 do you choose?

16.  How are you taking care of yourself?  Build some nurture time into your life.  Bubble bath? Massage?

17.What attitudes do you have that no longer serve you? Do an attitude adjustment to 

get rid of the ones that are not serving you.

18.  Do you believe everything you think?   DON’T!

19.  Everyone dies.  How do you live?

20.  Are you up to date on telling your loved ones that you love them?  Do it!  Now!

21. Are you drinking water? Drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day. 

22.  Feeling stuck? Stop doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

23. When was the last time you watched a baby learning to walk?  Every time she falls, she gets up and starts over.  What do you do when you fall? 

24.  Are you rushing around to get things done and then wind up so tired, you’re too exhausted to do anything else? How could you do this differently?

25.  Why are you always rushing around?  Old habits? I think you can teach this “old dog” some new tricks.

26.How do you encourage your creativity?  Start with something simple, like a very unusual outfit, or wear a scarf around your waist........

27.How can you better manage your fear of going to the  doctor/dentist?  Do some guided imagery and visualize yourself relaxed, calm and knowing that whatever it is, that you fear, you will handle it. 

28.  How do you learn to not overextend yourself?  Saying no to yourself and others is a             

good start. Stop, pause, think before you say yes....

29.   What do you need to remind yourself that you’re taking life too seriously?  Notice   

when you stop  laughing or even smiling. Is that a clue?

30.  Feeling sorry for yourself?  Go ahead, have your pity party......then move on.

31.  Life getting you down?  Stop watching the news.