Seek Out the Small Stuff

Richard Carlson's book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff became an overnight success when it gave readers advice on how to keep from letting the little things in life drive us crazy. He was right (and not alone in saying so) insofar as he stressed the importance of not allowing ourselves to get caught up in or dragged down by the everyday mire of life. But let's not forget that life is also full of "little things" that can, in a single moment, transform the way we live.

If you realy want to experience how even small change can lead to profound transformation in all areas of your life, try this: instead of just focusing on, and trying to manage, the negative effects of all the little crap in life, try "SEEKING OUT THE SMALL STUFF," specifically finding things that give you a sense of Meaning, Purpose, Value, Connection, Resilience, and Transcendence, the Six Fundamental Human Desires that make us happy and whole, and keep our spirit well everyday, come what may.

Here are six tips:

• DISCOVER MEANING. Meaning helps us to make sense of life and find significance in life. It helps us understand how we fit into the world. It gives us the feeling that we (and stuff in general) matter. And it helps us to craft a rich and rewarding existence. Meaning speaks to our desire to have a life filled with understanding and awareness, peace and satisfaction. Each night finish the statement, "Today I found meaning in..."

• REALIZE OUR PURPOSE. Purpose unifies our life by directing us toward some ultimate concern around which we shape our lives. It shows us what we're meant to be doing if we're really to be us and not someone else. Purpose speaks to our desire to have something that gives us a reason to live, and the will to live. Each morning finish the statement, "I can and will find purpose by doing..."

• EMPLOY OUR VALUES. Values help us to determine what we give priority and precedence. What's more, they focus our energy on what's right and real. Values speak to our desire to have something to work for, find deserving, invest in, and live by. Once a week take stock of the values operating in your life. Ask yourself, "What choices did I make or actions did I take that show what I value most? How can I increase this next week?"

• CREATE CONNECTIONS. Connections help us relate to and form relationships with others. Moreover, they make us plug in rather than opt out. Connection speaks to our desire to bond and belong, to have a type of familial warmth and security. Before you go to sleep, finish this statement, "Today I found connection with or by doing..."

• BUILD RESILIENCE. Resilience shows us how to flourish, not despite but because ofadversity, in a way that actually improves rather than hurts our lives, and fortifies rather than weakens our spirit. Resilience speaks to our desire to live fully, love deeply, and endure...every day, come what may. At the end of the week ask yourself, "What did I do this week to overcome challenges? How specifically was I resilient?"

• EXPERIENCE TRANSCENDENCE. Transcendence helps us to wake-up to the fullness of life--to touch or experience something greater than our day-to-day lives, something extraordinary. Transcendence speaks to our desire for wonder and awe. In the morning ask yourself, "What one thing can I do today that will give me a moment of transcendence? And at the end of the day ask, "What experience of transcendence surprised me today?"

For more information on "seeking out the Six Fundamental Human Desires, visit www.spiritfulliving.com.