The Art of Living Well

Think about it - there is art in everything, and living well is no exception. Of any art, this would be the one to master since it encompasses all the others.

Living well means making your life an expression of who you are, what you believe, and your hopes, dreams, and desires.

Of course, creating your life as a work of art is an ongoing, evolving, and creative endeavor—and so it should be.

The difference between living well and just living would be analogous to preparing a meal.

When you're hungry, you can throw something together from whatever is handy without considering the dish's nutritional value, taste, or visual appeal. You can shove something down that fills your tummy and satisfies your immediate appetite.

Or, you can prepare a pleasing, nutritious, tasty meal that not only satisfies your visual and practical needs but also makes it a joy to experience.

Of course, the second meal requires more thought, planning, imagination, and work, but the rewards are exceedingly greater on every level.

So it is with life. You could live it indiscriminately without paying attention to anything in particular, or you can make it a delicious, nutritious treat.

How to make your life a work of art:

1. Make each moment count and live it to the fullest. When you get up in the morning, resolve to welcome all the challenges and delights each day brings.

Be aware that everything you experience contributes to your knowledge, enjoyment, and understanding of life.

Every activity can have meaning and purpose; by acknowledging and recognizing it, you enrich your participation.

2. Express yourself and create the life you want. You are unique. Express your individuality and share your observations and insights with others.

Make your surroundings a comfortable reflection of that individuality and uniqueness.

For instance, if you're a collector, a sports fan, or have a particular hobby, decorate your home with artifacts and mementos that express that part of your personality. It makes for good conversation and reveals something about you to others.

3. Establish an open, accepting, and appreciative mindset. Prepare yourself for whatever comes your way. When you do, the possibility of attracting adverse circumstances lessens because you are willing to confront and face what is.

When you maintain an open, accepting attitude, life goes more smoothly and without incident. It's as if you're daring life to throw you a curve, but because you aren't afraid, it becomes unnecessary and loses its impact.

4. Be who you are and go after what you want. Be comfortable with yourself, and don't be afraid to go after what you want. So many opportunities are missed out of fear of failure (and success, too) and an unwillingness to take risks or put yourself on the line.

Life is too short not to give your best shot at something. Strive to reach your potential. The worst that can happen is you learn a valuable lesson.

5. Have a solid personal foundation balanced with relationships with family, friends, and the community. We are social beings who need each other for comfort, support, and interaction. It's important to cultivate and value all our relationships and engage in activities that promote goodwill and improve the community, the country, and, ultimately, the world.

You know you are living well when you:

• Wake up in the morning and can't wait for the adventure that lies ahead of you

• Are optimistic, cheerful, and confident

• Are interested in and want to contribute to others and the world around you

• Focus on the good things in your life and improve on what's not working

• Are aware, appreciative, and engaged in life

• Turn obstacles into opportunities

• Seize each moment

We can make an art of living well by expressing ourselves, being open and receptive to new experiences, and living each moment to the fullest. We need only decide to do so.

"The masters in the art of living make little distinction between their work and their play, their labor and their leisure, their minds and their bodies, their information, their recreation, their love, and their religion. They hardly know which is which; they simply pursue their vision of excellence at whatever they do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or playing." James Albert Michener