Do you want to live a happier life? Ever wish you could benefit from the life lessons of those who came before us?
In this 5-part video series, I’m sharing the life lessons that my Grandma has taught me that have made the most impact in my life.
Through talking on the phone with my grandma every day, and learning from her experiences, I have started to make small changes in my life that have led to tremendous shifts in perspective.
As a result, I feel happier than I did before we started talking every day.
I have no doubt that if applied, these five lessons below can change your life too:
- Throw away the bad
- Try everything once
- Enjoy what you have while you have it
- Embrace change
- Take action on what matters most to you
The Lessons
Each of the lessons means something different, but they’re all related to our mindset and mentality.
The way we look at things (problems, opportunities, projects,) shapes our entire experience.
That’s why my biggest goal in this series to empower you to feel equipped with the knowledge of why it’s so important to apply these things into your life.
Part 1: Throw Away The Bad
“Hold/hang on to the good and throw away the bad” is one of Lil’s favorite sayings.
It has become one of my favorites too because I’ve seen just how much adopting it can change your life.
When you throw away the bad, you make an active decision to not let negativity weigh you down.
When you throw away the bad days, you let go of what doesn’t serve you.
By holding on to the good, you take an active approach to focus on the positive. Because trust me – nothing good comes from dwelling on the negative.
The challenge: write down one great thing that happened in your day before you go to bed.
Do this every single day for one month and see how you feel!
Part 2: Try Everything Once
It’s important to approach new projects, cultures, and activities with an open mind.
When you try new things, you expand your horizons.
My grandma inspires me to be open to trying new things because you never know what doors can open.
I mean, Lil even looked at food poisoning (!) as something “worth” trying once. (You’ll have to watch the video to see the full st0ry.)
The challenge: try just ONE new thing that you’ve been putting off TODAY.
Approach the activity with a fresh perspective and open mind, and let me know how it goes!
Part 3: Enjoy Your Current Season
It’s easy to take things for granted; be it our health or youth.
My grandma has taught me the importance of enjoying what you have while you have it.
Playing in the snow, something Lil loved to do as a child, is no longer something that she enjoys. As a kid, it was an activity that she looked forward to all year. But now, at 94, it’s something that would cause her immense pain if she tried to do it.
It’s important to recognize that the seasons in our lives change, and we have to enjoy the current season we’re in.
Are you in a youthful season of your life? A healthy one?
Enjoy it now, because we all know how much we miss it the second it’s gone.
The challenge: take the time to appreciate everything amazing in your life.
Use a gratitude journal or just the notes app in your phone to start recording the wonderful daily happenings, and see how your mood shifts!
Part 4: Embrace Change
Life moves quickly and as it does, our values, perspectives, and priorities change.
Rather than fight the change, or judge ourselves because of it, it’s important to embrace change as inevitable.
Lil encourages me regularly to embrace the fact that my priorities will continue to change as I age.
The things that mattered to me in college (parties and grades,) don’t matter today. And what matters today likely won’t matter as much in 5 years.
The challenge: start to look at yourself as a growth-seeking individual rather than a banker, lawyer, Buffalonian – insert any characteristic that could change.
When we start to define our identity as “growth-seeking,” we easier embrace the changes as they arise.
Part 5: Take Action On What Matters Most
It’s easy to let fear get in the way and prevent you from taking action on a project.
My grandma reminds me on a daily basis that time moves quickly and there’s no time like the present.
Don’t put off till tomorrow what you could do today; especially when that thing is important to you.
Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
Putting off meaningful work until tomorrow only creates disappointment today.
The challenge: take the first step on that project you’ve been putting off, TODAY.
For me, this video project was the thing that I put off. For months, I let my fear stand in the way of taking action.
Are the videos, and this particular blog, exactly how I envisioned it would be?
Absolutely not.
Did I do it anyway?
HELL YES – because I knew that I needed to.
The second that I started this project, I was overwhelmed with feelings of pride and excitement; *just* for getting started.
I’ve got a hunch the same thing will happen for you.
Summary:
I made this series because the life lessons that my Grandma Lil has taught me have changed my life for the better.
It’s thanks to the five lessons above that I feel happier every single day. So, I encourage you to take what resonates with you and leave the rest.
My goal in this series is to empower you to make small changes in your life that lead to tremendous shifts in perspective.
Through this series, I want to help you live a healthier and happier life.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read and/or watch any part of this project.
It’s probably been THE most meaningful creative project that I’ve embarked on to date, so thank you – truly – from the bottom of my heart.
