A life worth living for?

Oh, you ask me?

Well, there needs to be beauty.

Whether it’s in the form of art, soft movement, a treasured book, a handsome face, a handwritten note, or the subtle signs of seasons changing.

But wait, now when I think about it, maybe it’s more about the awareness of beauty.

The other day while rushing home from work I all of a sudden noticed how beautifully green nature still is. Is it usually this green in mid-September, I wondered, while searching for deep yellows and reds, but there were none to be found. This year, nature is taking her time. Maybe there’s no need for me to rush either, I thought, and readjusted my steps.

So, if you ask me about a life worth living for, I would begin with notice the beauty. I find there’s something gentle and comforting in beauty. There’s nothing shallow about the kind of beauty that makes you cry at a beautiful flower, or be in awe of the endless sky. I hear things, I touch things, but most of all I see. I see beyond the flower, I see beyond the sky.

However, I suppose there are other things worth living for. And here is my list of them.

Creative living – Moments of silence – Trying new things
Nowadays I allow myself to feel bored from time to time. I thought I needed to entertain myself 24/7 to be creative. And then I realised that the opposite is more accurate. When I allow boredom to creep in for a couple of hours, or even a day, my mind starts to come up with fresh new ideas. I book a course, I take a walk, and I realise I want to learn how to create flower arrangements. All these empty hours are in fact not empty; they are filled with my own unique ideas and perspectives.

Peace – Calm
A peaceful planet starts from within. A peaceful and calm heart does not walk around creating chaos. And if there is chaos within – be honest – take responsibility – We can’t keep on blaming and judging others for our shortcomings. Look yourself in the mirror – is there calm in your eyes – or is there chaos? There’s nothing wrong with chaos, as long as you are sincere about it. Don’t hide from the disorder; let it show you where there are improvements to be made. You can’t experience the light without the darkness. Allow the yang to meet your yin. The moon to embrace the sun. The sky to touch the ground. The chaos to turn into peace.

Face-to-face connections
I want to feel your face, not simply watch it. We crave connection. Closeness is what makes this life worth living. I don’t want to look at you through a screen, I want to smell you. Be near you. Touch your hair. The energy we exchange with each other is comparable to the food we eat, the water we drink – it’s a necessity. There’s no iPhone in the world that can provide that for us.

Intentional living
Are you mindlessly scrolling through life? I know I can be, at times. It never puts me in a good mood. Never satisfies any of my deeper needs. So, I put my phone down, grab a pen and start writing. Much more satisfying. Instantly puts me in a fine mood.

Living with intention is about finding what works for you. Think more – How do I wish to feel? -rather than, –What do I want to do? – Living with intention is caring for yourself and your one life.

Do you have your own list of a life worth living for?