What's your secret for leading a fulfilling life?

What’s the motto you live by? In the teachings of Confucius, he referred to three basic elements required to create a positive human interaction - kindness, humanity and respect. I think that sums it up for me. On any path you choose in life, if you can radiate compassion for all those you meet, then I believe you will feel fulfilled. You reap what you sow. Here’s the secret though, and perhaps the hardest part of the equation – you must also extend this generosity of spirit to yourself. Yeah, YOU. The effort required to figure this one out can be tedious at best. Truthfully, it can suck major balls. But if you don’t figure it out, then I’m afraid your cup will never feel full. It can't, because you're too busy poking holes in it. You'll never stop long enough to really feel anything. So let's stop poking holes, both at ourselves and at each other, and watch our cups start to overflow. Incidentally, that last part about sucking major balls and poking at each other's holes is what I think, not Confucius. I’m not revered and admired by millions, nor do I have a long beard, nor am I dead. (Although I suspect I’m right. And I suspect Freud would have really liked me.)

 

Here forthwith are your secrets to leading a fulfilling life.

At a minimum, leading a fulfilling life requires breathing and being in the moment.

I have three: It’s all good. Will this matter in five years? Every day above ground is a good day.

Live well, laugh often, love much.

Do the right thing – in everything we do this is always the best way to live.

My life is truly a gift not to ever be taken for granted. It is my responsibility to continually strive to live my best life, to honour that gift.

Enjoy every moment, even if it is not the first thing you want to be doing. Make the most of it, because you can’t ever get that moment back.

Try to make the world a better place than it was when you got here.

Not dwelling on hardships and getting over things as quickly as they come. And don’t compare – it makes you ugly.

Just be. I’m starting to sound like the Dalai Lama. I need to do a better job of this because I’m a worry wart.

Live joyfully.

Live and love today as if there’s no tomorrow.

Work hard, contribute to your community, savour the present and engage others.

You get the life you build, not the life you’ve been told you deserve.

Every day has only 24 hours – use them all.

Treat everyone with the kindness and respect they deserve.

Work hard, play hard.

Remember that everything works out.

One day at a time.

Your life is what you make it.

I think it’s the belief that I can do whatever I want and I am completely responsible for my own life.

Two things: help others, every day and in every way you can. That, and “do you”, and do it well.

Give yourself to love.

Be OPEN. Open to others, and open to life as a source of learning and love.

Try to be the best that you can be. Be thankful, be grateful, be kind, have integrity, practice honesty, laugh and try to appreciate life at its fullest. After all, we only have one of them so we should really make the best of it.

Be grateful, because tomorrow might not be as good.

My motto at the moment is Silence. It’s a source of great strength. Another motto I have is Dig Deep. It’s a constant journey and you need to stop and remind yourself to stay focused. That’s the hard part, isn’t it?!

Work hard for what you want and appreciate what you have.

I haven’t figured out yet how to put this into a motto, but basically I put myself in a bubble and don’t let negativity in. I have just really started learning this is the last few months, but I block out any negative thoughts, feelings, words from others, looks…I replace that with the positive opposite.

Do what you love! One life, one chance.

You have to be true to yourself, be authentic and don’t settle. Take ruthless care of yourself – your kids will thank you for it.

Make things better and leave this place better than when you came.

Treat others how you want to be treated.

There are four things you can’t recover: the stone after the throw, the word after it’s said, the occasion after it’s missed, the time after it’s gone.

Be the leader and not the victim in your own life. Happiness is a choice you make for yourself – no one else can provide that for you.

So long as you put your family first, your own satisfaction will follow.

Don’t let your past dictate who you are, but let it be part of whom you have become.

Bring people together and the energy will be AMAZING.

My motto: begin with a question – it’s the door to answers.

Surround yourself with good people, people that make you feel good about yourself and are fun to be around. People that you love. When you die, no one will take about how big your house was, or what kind of car you drove, or how much money you had. You eulogize yourself every day by your actions. They will talk about what kind of friend you were.

My motto: Just Give ‘er, eh? No, no, no – “Soak it in.”

Faith, Family, Friends

Respect. Above trust, love, friendship, mercy and all else…respect.

Be grateful for what you have, help others and make a difference in some way. Mother Theresa said: “We may not be able to do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Do that.

Keep it simple, that’s my motto. Love and laugh as much as possible and keep things in perspective.

Take time to enjoy the small things, because not everyone has that luxury.

Always remember that God is in charge.

I try not to dwell on what I didn’t do. I try to help people and to be honest…that guy in the mirror is always watching.

Live each day like it was your last because it is a gift, of they wouldn’t call it the present.

Make everything an adventure. Every day, every job, every trip, every assignment should feel like part of the adventure. This motto works. In that rare moment you find yourself stuck and not able to make that something into an enjoyable adventure, it’s time to scram!

Keep your nose out of other people’s business.

Always do your best! And your best may change from day to day, but just always do your best in whatever state you are in. Whatever will be, will be.

When there’s a decision to make, then choose what you know you won’t regret later. There is actually always an obvious choice – it’s just hard to make yourself choose it.

Be grateful always – you woke today, healthy and able. There are others who didn’t.

Try new things, learn from others and implement.

There are so many! My favourites: People who know better, do better. If you don’t have time to do it right, you must have time to do it over. Are you rowing the boat, or just rocking it? There is no reality, only perspective.

Don’t let anyone into your life who doesn’t like or agree with the person you are. Always stay true to yourself and be free to do what you wish.

Always be thankful and don’t be afraid of failing. That’s how you grow. If a person never fails, it means they aren’t moving ahead.

Being filled with the wonder and awe in His presence – this has really changed the way I live my life. I take time to appreciate and enjoy the everyday beauty, big or small, in the world He created. The smell of rain, the sound of the wind in the trees, the sunset, the sound of my mom’s voice, my baby’s smell…I find it very therapeutic.