Blossoming life - A framework for living

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            Source: unsplash.com (Kumiko Shimizu)

Facets of life

Human life has multiple facets to it. Listing out a few(in no particular order).
  • Career
  • Health
  • Family
  • Finances
  • Friends
  • Spirituality
  • Service
  • Learning
  • Self-expression
  • Hobbies
  • ...
Imagine each facet is a petal on the flower called life. 

Each petal contributes to the beauty of the flower. The beauty of a flower isn't because of any one particular petal. The beauty of a flower is in its fullness. 

Looking at life this way gives a powerful framework for living. How?

Zoom out and see the full flower

Many times we obsess on one particular area (petal) and judge our life based only on that. At that time it's a good idea to zoom out and see the big picture. Sharing some examples from my life.

  • The time when I felt stuck in my career was the time I was flourishing in my spiritual journey. I was disappointed when I looked at my career in isolation but not when I looked at my life in totality. The big picture gave me the clarity that I'm winning the war (life purpose) and losing some battles (titles, fame etc.) and I could be at peace with it.
  • With time and experience I have learned that serving others gives me way more fulfillment than what I experience when I focus only on I/me/myself. I can't be thankful enough for the day I made they decision to lookout for others and serve whenever I get an opportunity. 
  • I have made the mistake and learned the lesson that excelling in one area (ex. career) at the cost of health is the stupidest thing one can do. The price you pay is too high. 

Comparing is a pitfall

  • It's common to compare with others and invariably we compare the same facet. Wealth vs wealth, title vs title, fame vs fame, looks vs looks etc. That's a pitfall. We don't know what sacrifices someone makes to excel in one aspect of life. In other words how a petal compares to a petal is very different from how the flower compares to a flower. Focus on the flower. That too your own.

Easiest to ignore is the most valuable

  • It's easy to ignore some aspects like family, friends while we are laser focused on some others. Often the aspects we ignore are the ones which potentially give us the most joy and satisfaction. A good way to think about prioritization is the regret minimization framework of Jeff Bezos. On your death bed what will you regret not doing the most? Prioritize that now.  
  • It's not necessary that we give equal attention to every aspect of life.  What is important is to thoughtfully choose the aspects that matter more and give them more attention. Every flower has layers of petals. The layers on top are more visible and the bottom layers less visible. Still each layer and petal adds to the fulness and beauty of the flower. 

In conclusion

Don't focus so much on the petal that you miss out on the flower. Nurturing and appreciating the beauty of life (totality) gives more and lasting joy and satisfaction.

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