8 Life Lessons to Teach Your Parents

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“And you, of tender years/ Can’t know the fears that your elders grew by/ And so please help them with your youth/ They seek the truth before they can die.” ~Graham Nash, from the song Teach Your Children

A guest post byJon Giganti of 1440.

Editors Note: As I’ve created my blog and built my online business, I constantly realize how much there is to learn — and that most of the brilliant teachers are years younger than me. In fact, my entire lifestyle outlook has shifted as a result of connecting with theseyounger online experts.I asked Jon to write a post about what he believes his generation can teach those older than he is. Here’s what he has to say.

It’s 1940. My parents haven’t been born yet. They’re soon to be part of the baby boomer generation and grow up in an age of many changes. TV’s, moon landings, leisure suits, Rock n Roll, Vietnam.

Many in this generation came from immigrant parents (as did mine).

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How to Lighten Up

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“Man, unlike the animal, has never learned that the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it.” ~Samuel Butler

I love my work. I really love it deep down in my bones and could sit at my computer all day writing and creating and connecting with other people.

Yes, I realize how wonderful it is to feel passionate about my work, but I’m also learning how important it is to step away from it — frequently.

A healthy lifestyle requires balance, which means we have to lighten up sometimes.

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Don’t Underestimate Yourself

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“As long as you think that the cause of your problem is ‘out there’ —as long as you think that anyone or anything is responsible for your suffering—the situation is hopeless. It means that you are forever in the role of victim, that you’re suffering in paradise.” ~Byron Katie

You can dojust aboutanything you set your mind to. Andjust aboutis plenty good for accomplishing more in life than you have time to accomplish.

Yes, there are some things in life that we won’t ever be able to achieve. I will never be a professional ballet dancer no matter how diligently I train. You may not get the specific job you want because the employer won’t hire you.

You may go after something with every confidence that you can achieve it, and then something unexpected prevents you. Of course severe physical or emotional illness can hinder you. But these are the exceptions.

The rule is that there are millions of things you can accomplish.

When I coach clients, they often revert to the fallback position of over-examining their emotions. Emotions are important and have their place, but they are a smokescreen to taking action.

I try to refocus the client on action. Positive action always makes you feel better. Even one tiny forward movement can be enough to turn around your entire outlook.

Here are some common feeling-charged thoughts that try to divert you from action:

  • It’s hard. I can’t do it.
  • I’m too lazy. I just don’t have the motivation.
  • I don’t really need to be doing this thing. I’m fine the way I am.
  • I’m feeling down right now. I can’t do anything when I feel this way.
  • I can’t afford to do that.
  • Something bad might happen. People won’t like me anymore. I’ll make them mad.
  • I failed at this before, so clearly I’m not capable.
  • I don’t deserve this. I’m just not good enough.

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Harness the Power of a Healthy Attitude

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“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~Winston Churchill

Have you ever had someone say to you, “Change your attitude?” I find myself saying it frequently to my teenagers, and they look at me like I’ve asked them to morph into an alien.Bad attitudeand teenagers go together like white on rice.

In spite of their age-appropriate resistance to a healthy attitude, I remind them that attitude is a choice. Regardless of your life circumstances, you always have to power to change your attitude. And what a power that is.

Your attitude is your disposition, your way of thinking, and the feelings that go along with those. A healthy attitude is characterized by a general sense of well-being and equanimity about life.

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The Liberating Joy of Riding A Bike

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Spring is here and we are about to shed some clothes. The bulky sweaters and sweat clothes that hid a multitude of sins over the winter are now packed away. We are preparing to expose our arms and legs in all of their jiggly glory.

When Spring arrives in Atlanta, I have no excuse to stay bundled up at my desk sipping warm tea (sadly I have no allergies to fall back on). The sun is shining, and it’s time to get my butt moving.

Honestly, I really don’t like “exercise.” Although I’ve done plenty of it, I don’t enjoy running all that much. It hurts.

I really hate being strapped on to some contraption (elliptical, stair climber, etc.) and staring at a TV just to make the time pass quicker. Walking is quite nice, but it doesn’t get your heart rate going unless you speed walk, and then you might as well run.

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The Way To Begin A New Beginning

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“Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy.” ~Sarah Van Breathnach

This time of year is about beginnings.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve watched the tree outside my office window go from bare to leaf-laden. The same pair of birds has once again built a nest in the porch light by my front door, as they do every spring.

Flowers are bursting out on trees as though a conductor has lifted a baton to signal a symphony of color.

对于那些将这个星期天庆祝复活节,我t’s also a reminder of the opportunity we have to renew ourselves, to start over, to begin again.

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The Simple Secret To Pain Relief

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“If we really want to address the whole issue of suffering, as well as our desire and yearning for freedom, love, and connection, then we need to learn how to look clearly at our own minds.” ~Adyashanti

Last week I wrote an e-mail to the subscribers at Live Bold and Bloom with the invitation to share with me their top five worries, fears, or disappointments in life.

I requested this so that I could address some of these topics in my articles and future books and courses.I received hundreds of responses, many of which revealed very painful situations and concerns.

It became clear to me that all of us suffer with some degree of emotional pain and inner turmoil, whether or not we are generally satisfied with our lives.

This turmoil keeps us from reaching our fullest potential and engaging fully in life.

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A Proven 10-Step Guide To Having More Fun In Your Life

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有趣的是underrated.

As adults, our lives are complicated and often very serious.

We are involved in the serious business of grown-up stuff.

We work hard. We support our families. We worry about money and higher prices.

We fret about the condition of the world, politics, our children. We have endless chores and tasks without much time for fun.

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