I am beginning an amazing 17th year writing my “From the Heart, Lifeskills for Today” column. My hope for all readers rests in believing the articles written over the years have been helpful and rewarding for each one.
To refresh our memories on the 12 practical lifeskills, let’s get a glance of each one. How will 2022 shape up for you?
What changes do you want to make in 2022 and beyond? I would love to hear from you and feel free to request topics to cover in the months ahead.
Included with my column are the 12 lifeskills again in a table format for your use, one chosen for each month, such as “Relationships/Core Values for January. Just write in the changes you want to make and the first step you are committed to take. If you would like me to email you a blank 2022 Changes & Beyond form for you and your family’s use, simply send an email to [email protected]. The form is also available on my website along with this article posted on my blog (https:// celebratingyourjourney.com/ cyj-blog). You should see the article at the top or put title in the search field.
Basically, these 12 lifeskills are summarized as follows:
1. Relationships/core values: Relationships are all around us – with family, community, systems and institutions, even when alone. From conception to our final days, we are all influenced by the many relationships we experience. We all have the same basic human needs. Our core values form and grow with each relationship and significantly impact our nation‘s social health.
2. Time management includes all one does during a daily 24-hour period. How do you spend your time? Facing your motives. Key benefits and barriers. Are you just muddling through? Key principles and practices, smart, strategic planning. The central calendar. Garnering “me time.” Every moment is a gift. Receive it, treasure it and use it purposefully.
3. Career/money management includes career choices/transitions, finances, money management skills and attitudes toward money. How’s your work? Do you love what you are doing? Attitude toward money, budgeting, benevolence and giving, saving, managing credit. When choosing a career, finances and core values are inseparable.
4. Recordkeeping: Bringing order out of chaos, encourage and sustain integrity with thorough records. Basic records, net worth, budget, home/possession inventory, benevolence/giving, keeping receipts, emergency records, life/family memories.
5. Possessions includes all your physical possessions/ assets and commitment to their care (including home, vehicle and your “stuff”). How much do you value your possessions? Need or want? To fix myself or not to fix myself. Whether our castle, car or couch, possessions need our care, but try not to have them control and clutter your life.
6. Housekeeping includes clean enough for healthy/dirty enough for happy; housecleaning chores, who does them and when, including clearing the clutter.
7. Wellness includes all aspects of 21st century health and wellness with focus on wellness goals with prevention/wellness/ longevity; three worlds of wellness (conventional/CAM/integrative); getting back to the basics – nutrition, exercise/ movement, stress management, health risk indicators/ obstacles to wellness.
8. Meals includes mealtime tips, meals on the run are no fun, meal planning/prepping, mealtimes, location, family and guests. What are your mealtimes like? Meals at home and on-the-go.
9. Childcare includes the essential aspects of caring for children from pregnancy throughout childhood. Children are your gift to humanity – the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of children. Quantity and quality time together. Making your home a welcomed place for children (whether single, married, with or without children). Learning to let go.
10. Recreation/entertainment includes activities specific to recreational/entertainment choices based on core values, social interaction and just plain fun. How do you play at home, in your community, state, nation?
11. Reflection includes moving forward by reflecting back; a review of lifeskill dimensions, impact of decisions and actions in each area; quiet reflection – a moment of silence; what’s ahead; saying thank you.
12. Celebration includes focus on embracing life as a celebration, celebrating good news, simple and hi-tech ways, getting out of the routine rejoicing rut, celebrating making memories, choosing activities and events for self and family – to encourage affirmation and enjoyment of relationships and rewards of commitment and action, celebrating beyond – contributing to the lives of others. Dream a little … or a lot! What, why, when, where, with whom and how do you want to celebrate your journey?
You may also be interested in utilizing my self-paced lifeskills journal book, “Celebrating Your Journey, Lifeskills in Synergy,” available at most online bookstores.
May any changes you make this new year and beyond be ones that bring hope, purpose, peace, fulfillment, even laughter together for you and your family.
Sharon L. Benedict is a writer/author, weaver, and web creator . . . and loving it! She welcomes your questions and comments and can be contacted at [email protected]. Visit her website at https://celebratingyourjourney.com/.
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