I hear the most interesting statements from people who are describing their lives. Recently a 36-yr-old MBA in an executive position in an exciting industry shared this concern in her coaching profile: “I have a vague sense that my life is too small.”
Living large does not necessarily mean a bigger salary, house, cars or retirement fund. It has nothing to do with fancy vacations or the latest fashions. Rather, it means having a life that is full of meaning and purpose. And that can occur – or be absent – at any place on the continuum of the traditional parameters of “success.” I’ve seen millionaires who are living life “small” and those with scarce financial resources who are living “large.”
Let me ask you this: What is your life saying to the world? Are you living your life too small? Is it so full of meaningless tasks that there’s no room left for the things that make your heart sing? Are you pushing so hard in doing more that you’ve lost the sense of being more? Does more activity really equal greater accomplishment, or does it at some point tip the scale and begin to diminish the meaning of your life? Are you creating the legacy you want to leave for your loved ones?
Reflect back on last month – yes, just this last month. What did you do to keep your life from being too small?
Can you identify:
- 4-5 ideas you had for a better job or starting your own business?
- 3 things that you did just to help someone out with no expectation of payback?
- The books you read or listened to that enlightened your spirit, confidence, knowledge and wisdom?
- The number of hours you spent in quiet contemplation?
- The 2 or 3 things you did that you had never done before?
- The concerts, art shows, seminars, workshops or other enriching experiences you had?
- 2 or 3 specific things you did to strengthen the relationships that mean the most to you?
If you have no responses to these seven questions, chances are strong that you are living your life too small.
Make it a regular practice to embrace living large times in your life. Wisdom, peace, contentment, and insight about investing your life in fulfilling work will grow in those times. Take a walk, give thanks for simple things, take a bath with music playing and candles burning, turn off the telephones, TV, and computer. Carve out those times for restoration and spiritual breathing. Don’t let the busyness of life crowd out your opportunity for living large. Don’t let your life be too small.
Love this Dan! I especially like the line, “What is your life saying to the world?” Powerful stuff.
Matt – thanks for your comments.
A message that is more powerful today than it was years ago with all the busyness going on around us. We are so connected in every way, yet less connected in many things. Kind of crazy when you think about it.
Thanks of rat great reminders Dan!
Wow! This is painfully true to those, like me, are living small lives. I wish I could get out, but I feel so stuck.
Don’t just “wish.” Create a clear sense of what the ideal life would be, then develop a plan and start to walk it out.
Excellent Dan! Favorite line: “Are you pushing so hard in doing more that you’ve lost the sense of being more?” Boy, that was me right up until the moment I burned out.
Clark,
Yeah that delicate balance between “doing” and “being” is something we have to pay attention to.
I believe this is part of the reason God commanded that people take a day of rest, a Sabbath. A day where they rest from their pursuits (see Isaiah 58:13) and “live life big” by spending a whole day with Him and being with and helping other people.
Danny – absolutely. I cringe when I see people just keep working seven days without really taking that wonderful Sabbath rest.
I am not living the small life. Tried and failed so many times. I feel more like an empty shell. I can’t relate or even think of what the ideal life would be like. Can I find my ideal life again?
Oh absolutely. I’m confident you have many clues as to what that would be. Allow yourself to dream again about what the ideal would be. As a child you undoubtedly were able to imagine and dream. Try to go back to those times and just visualize a life of meaning and purpose – every day. If you can describe it, you can start to move toward it.
Great post Dan! I love the thought put into the questions.
The one the stands out to me right now is, “Are you creating the legacy that you want to leave for your loved ones?”
That makes you look at the big picture. And take responsibility for it!
Thanks again my friend!
Justin – I’m at the stage of life when I’m looking more at the legacy I’ve already created than I am looking at what I can still do. And it’s rewarding to know what that legacy will be. Thanks for your comments.
Great Wisdom—If you’ve ever had anyone tell you your enthusiasm and “zest for life” is infectious you know you’re living a larger life of quality and grace. Make sure to tell others when you see them making the choice to live a larger life, its catching!
Love this! I find myself getting so wrapped up in details that in my head tell me must be done to move ahead. When I am forgetting to reflect, breath, ask myself important questions about Why I am doing what I am doing my life suffers. Last night I put down everything, headed to the work shop where my husband was building his latest motorcycle project and sat with him. In silence. Looking at the beautiful creation he had envisioned and had now manifested. Observing the colors and the look of content on his face. It was great! It was in that moment I was living “large “.