Making each Day Eternal
Ordinary to Extraordinary
For a long time, I lived, but I didn’t exist. As soon as you are animated by a life force, you live. Humans, animals, nature… But to exist?
If we venture into the etymology of this word. To exist comes from the Latin existere or exsistere. There are many definitions.
To stand out
To emerge
To come into being
To manifest
To rise up
Philosophically, we have two terms with very different definitions. To exist is to influence the matter around us. To stand up, to choose one’s destiny and not be subjected to it. To live is to be within the laws of the world. To exist is to impose your being on the laws of the world.
For a long time, I lived, I didn’t exist. My life was on automatic pilot. Wake up, work, activities. Stuck in a cycle where each day resembled the previous one. In a pointless race of my own choosing.
I was young. I believed all the lies I was told.
“Life has to be like this. Do this. You’ll be happy. ”
So I lived life as I thought it should be. For years, I did.
Giving all my time to work and activities that annihilated my freedom. As if I’d accepted my fate, it was impossible to rebel. Accepted servitude to a world that imposed its rules on me.
Was I happy? I didn’t even ask myself the question. I “had” to work. It “had” to be this way. Everybody does it that way. Follow that path. Why should I be different?
I was a planet in orbit. I never deviated from my trajectory. In my mind, if I kept doing these things every day… One day, i’ll reach my goals. One day, I’ll be happy. I’d forgotten that planets only revolve in infinite cycles. They can’t choose their destination.
Looking back, what a strange thought to think that I could have been happy spending days I hated.
What exploded my orbital revolution was life. The kind of day that changes everything. When you know that after this one, nothing will ever be the same again. A shock strong enough to destroy a large part of my planet, deviate from my expected trajectory. But leaving me alive.
Wandering in space for several months. Inanimate animated object. I had to rebuild. But this time, it was obvious. The trajectory had to be corrected. I didn’t know where I wanted to go. But I knew I had to go in the opposite direction.
This wandering in the void opened my eyes. I realized how many years I had wasted. The number of days I’d lived mechanically, the amount of time I lost. I said to myself: never again.
From now on, every day must count. Every day must be unique. Everything can stop so quickly. It was vital to celebrate life. To find a routine in which I’m happy.
“Paradox. Yesterday, you were writing an article, making a plan for many years. Today, you’re telling us to sublimate each day.”
Paradox on the surface.
You can do both.
The two are even complementary.
Sublimating each day will help us stay on course in the conquest of our plans. Because it will create unique moments. Memories for a lifetime.
But at the same time, if we’re content to wander, we’ll find it hard to enjoy our everyday life.
At some point, we’ll need more. We won’t be able to find the pleasure of the present moment if we get lost in it.
To exist is also to manifest one’s will in the future.
My philosophy is to work hard towards your goals.
While making every day count.
What little habits can you put in place to make every day unique ?
Journaling — “What’s my best memory of the day.”
Every evening, before going to bed. Take your notebook. Write down your highlight of the day. It’ll take 10 minutes. This tiny habit has 4 positive effects.
It will capture a beautiful moment for eternity. It could be a hug, a word, a smile, the smell of your coffee, an interaction… Every day, little cool things happen. You can stop time and fix it on a page.
This will allow you to go to bed on a positive note. Thinking about the best part of the day.
It’ll let you go back to those memories months later. And relive those forgotten moments. It will always be associated with the positive.
It’ll make you want to get out of your comfort zone. You know you want a beautiful memory to capture in the evening. It’s going to push you to do different things. The “What if I?” will become “I do”. Because every night, you have a beautiful story to write.
Everyday, build YOUR moment
We spend our days surrounded.Many of us never have a moment for themselves. As soon as you wake up. It’s a grind. From the first second to the last. From now on, you can reserve one slot a day for yourself.
“But I can’t do it. I don’t have time.”
When you want to, you can. You have to get organized, reschedule. Put yourself first. Block off time for yourself. Since I’ve been doing it. It’s become a favorite part of my day.
Every morning. About 15 minutes. Sunshine. I close my eyes. I do nothing. Every morning, before this moment arrives. I’m happy. Because I know I’m going to live it.
Reconnecting with the present
As I was saying. We live, but we no longer exist. We move forward, without really taking the time to recognize what’s around us. And yet, it costs us nothing.
Do the test. If you have a daily commute, a walk. For once, pause your thoughts. And observe your surroundings. With detail. Look up. See. Look at the buildings. Observe the windows. Be curious. You could have been walking this route for years. You’ll notice things you’ve never seen before.
It’s through our senses that we reconnect to the present. Passively, we activate them. Whether it’s observing, listening, tasting, touching or smelling. We can reconnect with the 5.
Listen to what people have to say. Savour our food. Take the time to eat it. Linger on the sensations of touch. Taking time to appreciate the fragrance of a scent.
These little pleasures are little treasures. But that we forget to appreciate because we’re thinking too much about the big one we don’t yet have.
Surpassing yourself
If you want to progress, you have to train at the limit of your comfort zone. But, if you want to transcend yourself. From time to time, you have to go beyond this limit to expand your comfort zone.
In short periods of time, you have to try to exceed your objectives. This can be any kind of habit. At least once a month, try something really new. You could enter a contest, a competition. Take a new class. Enlarge your social circle. Dare to do something you’ve wanted to do for a long time.
The human being is strangely wired. Part of our happiness lies in the feeling of growth. And growth is only found beyond our comfort zone. Every day you push yourself beyond your limits becomes a day to remember.
These are just a few ideas. What are your habits for making every day count? I’m sure you have your own and I’d love to hear them.
If you read until here. Thank you.
I wish you a fantastic Sunday.