The Quality of Life

Written by Brandelyn N. Castine /// Find in For Self

This morning, Paulo Coehlo, one of my all time favorite authors in life, posted a blog asking people how they would improve the quality of their lives. That struck me as a very interesting question. What are five things that I would do to improve the quality of my life?

1. I would paint more. Most of the time, I paint to release the anxiety and stress that has been building up. Perhaps if I spent time drawing and painting more regularly, I wouldn’t need it as an escape like I do now. I feel so good when I do it, it would probably make me even more balanced and happy.

2. I would truly take more time out for my loved ones. I have noticed that I am caught up in my life. I don’t have time to return calls, or keep commitments, or honestly sit down with MY people and see how they are doing. One of my biggest fears in life is for something was to happen to someone I truly hold dear and I never took the time to tell them how I feel about them. Besides, the people in my inner circle are just fun to be around and it is always a good time.

3. I would laugh more. Recently, I realized that I have gone weeks and weeks without laughing and that is not good. I’m not talking about a nice chuckle, or a hearty smirk, but I’m talking about a deep down, from the soul kind of laugh. The kind of laugh that produces tears and almost insights an asthma attack. Yes. It’s been a while. Generally this kind of laughter occurs around my inner circle, so 2 and 3 technically tie in to each other.

4. I would eat less sugar. I am a sugar fanatic. It’s really pretty terrible. It is my vice and if I could gain the self control to just walk away, I know that the pretty healthy lifestyle I live would definitely have more of an impact.

5. I would take full advantage of the bay. Oakland and San Francisco are pretty amazing places to live. There is always something interesting going, some new restaurant, some film festival, or art exhibit and I need to take more advantage of that. I know that I always feel amazing and inspired after spending a day in a museum and I should try to embrace that feeling more often.

6. I want to add a bonus one and say that I would be more free. I would do everything in my power not to worry about people and their opinions and their thoughts about who I am and what I am doing. I would wear my hair big, throw on my favorite cowboy boots, and fill up any room I’m in with the scent of Carol’s Daughter without worrying about opinions. I hold back a lot with my art and my writing and my gifts because honestly I don’t want to deal with the opinions of others. I would live for each moment, listen to Rahsaan Patterson on repeat and LIVE!!!! Man…I really need to create this life for myself.

A writer I admire gave me the idea of starting a gratitude journal. Taking time every day to write down 5 things I am grateful for. It is so easy to get caught up in the negative things of life, in the problems and the issues, but sometimes, we have to remember to smile and thank God for this life we live. I started my journal today and as silly as it seems, I am simply glad to be alive. To be able to see colors, and twinkling lights and watch the ocean roll up onto the shore. It is important to remain grateful. To open our eyes to the beauty that’s around us. Once we learn to love ourselves and appreciate the things around us, then and only then can we begin to learn to love others.

Peace Y’all