1. Live a life that is true to you.
The top regret of the dying is not living a life that was true to them. You are here for a very important reason -- to be you. To live, work, love, create, travel, eat, drink, move, laugh and play in ways that feel right to your unique soul. Choose authenticity over conformity and you will live a much happier life.
2. Learn to be vulnerable.
Instead of hiding yourself behind walls and masks, show the world who you really are. Speak your truth. Tell people how you really feel about them. The deepest and most satisfying relationships with others grow out of total transparency and vulnerability.
3. Adopt gratitude as an attitude.
Gratitude is not just something you do once a day in a journal. Gratitude is a whole way of being and living. You can train yourself to constantly see and praise the millions of blessings around you in any given moment of the day.
Enjoy the clothing on your body, having food in your belly, the sunshine or the rain, the night stars, a beautiful flower, the sound of the birds, a smile from a stranger. When you focus on the good in your life, you open yourself up to receiving even more.
4. Spend time with people who lift you up.
We are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with. Distance yourself from people who are not conducive to your highest good, and invest time in people who inspire you and support you to be your best.
5. Go after your dreams.
If your heart is longing to go after a goal or dream, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. If you have fears of failure, remember that you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don't take. Most people go to their graves with their soul song still inside of them. Please don't be one of them.
6. Tame your inner critic.
Too many of us spend our lives judging and criticizing ourselves internally, based on programming we picked up in childhood. We say things to ourselves we would never dream of saying to another person.
The truth is that we, as much as anyone else in the world, deserve our own love and compassion. Self-love is the foundation of a truly happy and fulfilling life.
7. Give yourself permission to play.
When we are born, our soul is naturally playful, adventurous, curious, joyful, creative and imaginative. It is a myth that we lose these traits as adults -- we have just been conditioned to suppress these parts of ourselves and we begin to take life too seriously. Life is an adventure, not a test. Give yourself permission to have more fun.
8. Wake up to who you really are.
You are not your body; it is just a vehicle for your soul. You are not your thoughts or feelings; they come and go like clouds in the sky of your mind. You are a divine infinite spirit temporarily having a human experience. You are born inherently worthy and enough. You have nothing to prove to anyone.
9. Ask how you can be of service each day.
When we give to others, we fill our own cup as well as the cup of the recipient. Do what you can daily to bring kindness and love into the world. A beautiful life is a balance of creating your dreams and being of service to those around you.
10. Become more present.
We are literally missing out on our lives because we are lost in thoughts of the past or worries about the future. The truth is life can only really be lived right now in this very moment. Give your attention wholeheartedly to the people in front of you and soak up every beautiful wondrous moment of your life.
11. Take responsibility for your life.
You have a choice in life -- to let life happen to you, or proactively create an amazing life you love. It's time to forgive your past and let it go. It's time to look your excuses in the face and realize they are keeping you small. It's time to take full responsibility for your choices, mindset and actions.
12. Do what you love.
We have been conditioned to justify everything we do, so we often ignore the things that bring us joy and bliss because there is no obvious or rational reason to do them. Our joy guides us towards our purpose and passions in life. So do more of the things you love and follow your inspiration.
Elyse is a writer and life coach at NotesOnBliss.com and the creator of Beautiful Life Bootcamp online course. She teaches people to connect with their soul, create their dreams and expand their happiness. For FREE updates and inspiration, sign up now.