Moving Forward

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- We could not wait for the economy to reopen and race our way back to a life we used to call normal. All this excitement has a way of making us forget those dreadful rush hours and the endless bouts of work. What we call "normal" back then didn't even grant us a minute of coffee yet here we are wanting the same thing over again.

Before we head back to work, let's take this moment and see what we can do differently. We can not run into that same old routine just to snowball out of control. We all learned from the past and this is the perfect time to do things better. Let's be more conscious about the kind of life we want from hereon.

Acknowledging what didn't work out in the past can help us redesign our lives better. Here are a few simple questions to prepare us for a new life ahead.

Will I get enough rest?

Just like our mobile phones, we need time to recharge. That is to regain our energy and keep us going the next day. We know that we can do quality work when we are well-rested. Our emotions are stable and our minds are focused. Rest is understated when it comes to working as it used to have a passive role in our lives. We did not know that a good night's sleep can translate into a good day's work. Sleep allows the body to restabilize so we can operate fresh the next day. Sadly, we put more weight on our waking hours as a measure of our productivity leaving the most important part and which is to rest. We have to be mindful and recognize our body's need to replenish. Our health is more important than anything else. However, it becomes the least of our concerns when we are occupied with work.

Will I have time for my family and friends?

The true measure of success is the amount of time you can give to people even when you are at the height of your work. Think about your elderly parents as they go into their retirement years. Think about your family, children, friends, and loved ones. They belong to your inner circle of concern. Most often, we are preoccupied with our plans and goals that we often lose sight of those close to us. They are the people who are constantly there, be in our highs and lows, good and bad days, and most importantly, the pivotal moments of our lives. They need an equal share of our attention. Give them a call. Pay them a visit. Spare a weekend. We look out for those who have been with us through the years. This is what defines true success. Life is short and people grow fast. Always catch up with the most important people in your life and let them feel your presence. It will go a long way.

Will I have time for myself?

We have books, gears, guitars, gadgets, and stuff that we all long to use but have collected dust over time. We never had the opportunity to enjoy them as we intended to. Our lives are loaded with work that we think of them as mere collections and not active elements of our growth. They are only there if we have spare time. The effort we spend to acquire these things is not easy. Worse, we fail to maximize their use for our well-being. Giving time to our hobbies is a great balancer. It brings back vigor, color, and excitement to our lives. It puts forth that child-like passion that is eager for new things. It gives us that opportunity to be ourselves. Give time to yourself by doing what you love the most. Hobbies don't have age limits as they will always be a part of you.

As they say, the one who succeeds is the one who enjoys the process the most. Our adult lives have taught us how to accomplish things but have come short in embracing the process. Process beats output. When we reintegrate ourselves back into the life we call normal, let's keep in mind the things that matter the most. Let that be our lighthouse, our compass. We can lead a better life if we know what is truly important.