Awaken: A Roadmap to Living a Conscious Life

I attempt to live by taking what is coming up from my unconsciousness to my consciousness. I try to break through the fog in which we often float, see where I'm headed, and make deliberate rather than automatic decisions. Do you ever have the impression that you're wandering through life and not getting anywhere? Or that you have no idea how you arrived at where you are now?

Living intentionally means taking charge of your life, thinking about your decisions rather than making them on the spur of the moment, and living the life you want instead of the one that happens to you. If you're lost in life, feeling out of control, or have no idea how you got here, making the decision to live consciously could be the most essential thing you ever do.

Are you now living a life that you aren't aware of?

Consider the following questions: If you find yourself agreeing with a lot of them, you might want to attempt mindful living:

1. Are you working in a career that you didn't choose, rather than one that you want?

2. Are you performing things that have been assigned to you rather than those that you enjoy?

3. Do you spend all your time doing menial tasks rather than accomplishing what you really want to do?

4. Do you wish you had more time to spend with your loved ones?

5. Do you find yourself chubby because you've been eating the same foods for years and haven't exercised in a long time?

6. Do you live hand to mouth, or are you in debt and don't know where your cash goes?

7. Do you notice yourself squandering time on unimportant tasks instead of focusing on finishing the tasks that are most important to you?

8. Do you go through your days without considering what you want from life and how to achieve it?

If you responded "no" to each of these queries, you're probably already living deliberately and don't need to read the piece. Continue reading if you want to live a more mindful life.

How to Lead a Conscious Life

It's not something that can be changed in a day. Conscious living is a way of life, a skill, and an art. It's not something you do once and then forgets about; it's a habit you may develop for the long term. But it's surprisingly simple: be aware of everything you do and think about it. Instead of doing things without thinking, make mindful decisions. That is all there is to it.

It may appear simple, but it's remarkable how few folks genuinely do this and how easy it is to go through life on automation, doing what we've always done because it's what we've always done. Even tho our lives are complex, it is easier this way.

It's not simple to make changes in life, gain freedom from our habits, and start living the existence we want to live. It takes conscious work, energy, and constant alertness to consider our options. Here are a few essential pointers that have proven to be effective for me:

1. Make it a habit to evaluate your life frequently. It's critical that you think about things, whether you maintain a journal, make thinking about your day a part of your nighttime routine, have a session where you examine your life or spend some time away from the office to do so. Frequently.

2. Set or reassess your life goals at least yearly. What do you want to be when you grow up? What are the things that are most important to you? What kind of life do you wish to live? And how are you going to get there? Make a list, post it somewhere you'll often see it, and act on it.

3. Examine your connections as well. The ones we love were some of the most significant, if not the most essential, aspects of our existence. You must consider your relationships. Do you devote enough of your time to them? Do you express your gratitude to them? Is there anything you can do to make your relationship better? Is there anything you need to pardon or apologize for? Are there any obstacles that can be overcome? Is there a way to increase communication? Examine your interactions with others, such as colleagues.

4. Think about how you can make a difference in the world. What impact does what you do, consume, and live to have on the environment? What effect does it have on the poor in third-world countries? What effect does it have on the impoverished, helpless, and voiceless? What effect does it have on your neighborhood? Whether you realize it or not, your life has an impact. It's critical to be aware of how your actions affect others.

5. Take into account the actual cost of each transaction. We frequently purchase items without giving any thought to what we're doing or how much they actually cost. Sure, it's only $30... it shouldn't be an issue, right? However, that $30 might be the equivalent of several hours of your life... hours you'll never get back. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life working to make money for insignificant purchases? Is this what you want to do with the rest of your life? I believe it is worthwhile to consider. For further information, see "Your Money or Your Life."

6. Take into account the actual cost of the items in your life. Our homes, offices, and lifestyles are crammed with things. This thing puts a strain on us, and it's not simply the price of purchasing it. Our belongings must be organized, cleaned, transferred, and brought with us when moving. It takes up room in our lives and causes visual stress. We'll have to dispose of everything later. Sort through it all, and set aside time to dispose of it, recycle it, or donate it. If possessing the items isn't worth it, then get rid of them.

7. Take a look at how you spend your time. We won't know how we waste our lives unless we conduct a time assessment and maintain a daily journal, even if it's only for one or two days. And, if we examine our time, the results can be pretty startling. We can make intentional decisions that will affect how we use our time down the road if we now know how to spend most of our time. Rescue Time is a computer-based time tracking program that can help you do that!

8. Get to know yourself. Not in a shady way, mind you. Carefully consider who you are as a person. What are your core values? Whether you live your life by those principles is up to you. What do you do with people? What do you do to yourself? Consider this: what do you want others to say about you when you die? Continue reading: The Secret to Dying Happy.