HIGH ON LIFE

 

I was in the hair salon getting my hair cut, chatting away with the stylist when all of a sudden the salon was filled with a joyous voice soon followed by enthusiastic laughter.

All of this emanated from the person in the chair next to me – a 73-year-old woman who could have been a reincarnated Phyllis Diller.

 

Phyllis Diller was an American stand-up comedian, actress, and voice artist who was known for, among other things, her distinctive laugh. In her stand-up routines she spoke of everyday topics – children, family, pets, life in general, neighbors – relaying amusing anecdotes about each.  

 

Just as Diller used to do, this salon patron laughed at herself and at what life had thrown at her. She could make light of life’s unpleasant moments. At one point she was sharing concerns about her Facebook account. The stylist asked if her children had gotten her involved on Facebook. She said, “No. I did that to myself!” Her matter-of-fact statement was punctuated by her uplifting laugh.

This woman exemplifies living life to the fullest. As her stylist said, “She’s high on life.” She is indeed. She finds reasons to smile at the smallest things and she doesn’t let any random happening ruin her day. Her positive outlook seems to go beyond just being upbeat and positive. Her positive outlook is her essence. Beyond her enthusiastic laughter, she exudes happiness, joy, exuberance, cheerfulness, optimism, and hopefulness. She is the type of person that just by being around you can’t help but feel good.

We all have that capability of being upbeat and positive. We all have the capability to be joyful and cheerful; to be optimistic and hopeful. But, we are often the greatest obstacle to being joyful; to being positive and upbeat. We often let life interfere with that capability (and when life throws us a curve ball in the form of change that can be a major obstacle). But, as Jonathan Lockwood Huie (author and “philosopher of happiness”) said, “You don’t have the power to make life “fair,” but you do have the power to make life joyful.”

There are no guarantees in life. There are few ‘do overs.’ Second chances are rare. We just need to make each day a great day, living life to the fullest. Paul T.P. Wong offers the following eight themes to living life to the fullest (with my commentary in italics):

Be fully engaged in what really matters. Focus on the things over which you have control. Follow your vision; your goals; your dreams.

Be mindful of the present moment. Each day is a new beginning. Be present. Live in the moment.

Transform past mistakes and regrets into self-improvements. View mistakes as learning opportunities. If something isn’t going great; if there is a roadblock in the way, view it as a temporary setback. It doesn’t have to put a negative slant on everything. Rise to the challenge and put your creativity to work in overcoming the obstacle. If one thing “bad” happens to you in a day, that is one “bad” moment; not a bad day. Learn from constructive comments (criticism).

Do not miss any opportunity to develop your full potential.  Make sure you maximize and balance yourself spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Embrace new ideas. Try new things. Make learning a lifelong pursuit. Make sure there is meaning in all that you do.

Love others. Let others know you appreciate them. When you make others feel good about themselves, you cannot help but to feel good yourself. As the saying goes, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Have an attitude of gratitude for everyone around you.

Make a positive difference in the lives of other people. Practice random acts of kindness. Try to do one good deed each day.

Live freely, courageously and vitally. Have the mental or moral strength to face fear or danger and to persevere in the wake of adversity with confidence and resolution. Believe in yourself. Move past worry and regret.

Maintain an appreciative attitude towards life. Be grateful for what you have and count your blessings. When you live with an attitude of gratitude your entire attitude towards life changes and you are better able to live life to the fullest.

If we are high on life, our joyful spirit, positive attitude, and enthusiasm are contagious. It is difficult to be around someone who is positive, upbeat, and has a zest for life without some of that same feeling catching hold to us. This is always a good thing when we are dealing with something that is stressful or chaotic or unpleasant (some of the things that can enter our lives with a change). Being high on life can be the “fire” that lights us up and keeps us moving forward in the face of difficulties. It lifts us up when the situation looks dark, and it energizes us when we are tired. As someone said, “If you think positive then…

Any sound becomes music

Any move becomes dance

Any smile becomes laughter

And the entire life becomes a huge celebration so always think positive and live your life happy to its fullest.”

Jonathan Lockwood Huie’s advice sums things up nicely, “Today, I choose to create joy in my life. Whatever my external circumstances, I choose to see all of life through joyful eyes.” Whether dealing with change or just with life in general, choose to create joy; choose to see life through joyful eyes. Like the salon patron, choose to be high on life and release that light that does shine within all of us. You might just be amazed at what this powerful energy can do for you and those around you!