Someone alleged that the average person spends more time planning a party than his life. Since that allegation may very well have some truth to it, it is important to strategically design your own recipe to bake up a well lived life.
Each of us is unique. There is no one like you. You are not repeated nor repeatable. No one can do what you are on this planet to accomplish. While one of us might require lemons for their recipe of life, another might take a measure of nutmeg, while yet another needs a large quantity of honey. Each of us can create the life we desire by developing our best recipe that will result in an abundantly happy, flourishing existence.
Consider the ingredients you are including in the recipe of your life. If the recipe is not a ‘grand prize bakeoff’ winner, now would be the time to adjust the recipe. If you are living the life of your dreams, continue creaming in more of the same positive ingredients to insure continued success.
We create our own life by the ingredients we choose to add to our recipe by our thoughts and actions. We are the master of our own destiny, and as such have the ability to live a life that is richly rewarding, filled with optimism and purpose.
Every recipe will taste better if it includes:
- Many daily shakes of laughter. A sense of humor goes a long way.
- Cups full of meaningful work. Do what you love. Love what you do.
- Heaping spoonfuls of integrity. Being able to look yourself in the eye and having a clear conscience is invaluable.
- A dash of hope sprinkled in often.
- Slice in forgiveness for others and yourself.
- Stir in patience and compassion. Because others live by their own recipes, being patient in spite of differences will always make your life taste sweeter.
- Everyone likes to feel kneaded and appreciated.
- Spice up your own life by mixing in kindness with everyone.
- Blend in large measures of enthusiasm. Keeping life spontaneous and fun enriches any recipe.
- Simmer constantly with love and respect for others.
Each recipe is unique but there are some ingredients that will ruin any dish and must not be added. As important as which ingredients are included to create a successful outcome is which ingredients are not.
Cooking up our recipes of life requires flexibility. Sometimes unexpected ingredients become marbled into our batter and must be removed.
Sift out destructive stress. Stress is part of everyday life, but when it becomes stress-out-of-control like overflowing yeast, action needs to be taken before it becomes damaging physically or emotionally. Step back and take a hard look at the ingredients that are being poured into our life recipe by others. Sift out anything that is causing undue stress.
Sift out anger. Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
Sift out pessimism. Drop “the cup is half empty” attitude. You are the master of your life. If you believe things won’t work out well, they won’t.
Cut out negativity. Surround yourself with positive people who lift and encourage. Be that same kind of person.
Chop up and discard doubt, worry and fear. They never enhance life’s flavor.
Continually stir in forgiveness. Keep adding as needed.
Bake with patience. You do not have to wait until the end to enjoy the fruits of your baking. The trick is to enjoy every single day, realizing that each hour, day, week and month produce happy years.
A good chef knows what the finished product will be, planning with the end in mind.
Knowing what you want in the end is the key to living a joyful life. Keep mixing in the ingredients that sweeten life and be careful not to allow unwanted ingredients into life’s mixture.
Susan invites you to share your story at CelebrateWithJoy.com.