“I can tell whether you are living a Very Cool Life by your response to one question.
Do you love where you live?
Of course, if your answer is no, some changes are in order before your life feels very cool. If you are not inspired by your current environment, my next question would be, “Then why are you living there?”
Most people reply by telling a compelling story of why they have to live in the place that they do not love. Work. Family. Money. Over time, they get used to living in an environment that does not inspire them. Their vision of a Very Cool Life begins to shrink.
Do not allow this to happen.
Allow yourself to be very clear in your preferences. Do you like the ocean? The mountains? Both? Do you prefer the country or the city? Do you thrive in warm weather? Or do you like to experience the changing seasons?
Even if making a move right now would not feel good, allow yourself to envision yourself living and playing in a place that inspires you. The best way to manifest this reality is to put your focus on what you appreciate about where you live now.
And if you feel inspired to live somewhere else right now? Move. You can do it, I promise. (I once knew I had to move, so I packed up with $50 to my name and started driving. As a result of that decision to trust my knowing, I ended up getting accepting into a Ph.D. program and changing my entire life. You can do it!)
To live a Very Cool Life, you must live in an environment that reflects your preferences and feeds you energy.”
(exerpted from The Very Cool Life Code, p140-141).
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I took the above photo of the local “traffic jam” yesterday.
I am guessing some people spend more time in traffic in a day than I spend in a year.
Part of the reason I live in the country is that I have a strong preference for wide open vistas, space, and nature. That’s just what I like.
Other people prefer the hustle and bustle of a city, or perhaps something in between. Of course, there is no “right way” to live, other than YOUR way.
Just make sure you’re consciously choosing to live YOUR way.
Because where you live has a huge influence on the quality of your life.
And if you’re not choosing what you really like, you are choosing to live by default. You are meant for greater things.
So where should you live? (and yes, I used the “should” word intentionally…)
I love where I live … Victoria, British Columbia Canada.
Hmmmm….have been devoting a lot of thought this weekend, to this very topic.
I agree entirely that it’s a matter of choice. When we packed up and went travelling in 2009 I was constantly amazed by how many people said “it’s all right for you! I could possibly because [insert limitation of choice].”
Thanks for the reminder that it’s all within an easy grasp.
Been appreciating my house a lot lately AND envisioning a beautiful, super comfortable beach house, full of love and fun! Thanks for the important reminder!
@Andrea Anderson: A good mantra Andrea is “I love what I have and I want more…”
Like listening to a song you love. You love listening to it now, and you want to listen more in the future… that kinda vibe!
thanks,
d