This is the twenty-sixth in a series of articles where I take a look at key words and phrases that play an important role in the work I do, helping people discover ways to live and love like they mean it.
You can view the entire series here.
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When we approach life with the intention to be present, we’re more inclined to make the most of our experiences. When we stop to smell the roses, to appreciate the views, to connect with others, it feeds and energizes us. And we’re brimming with joyful energy and enthusiasm, a zest for living, ready to make the most of every moment.
But of course, for many of us, life isn’t always like that. Yes, we may feel a sense of positivity from time to time, waking up in the mornings and jumping out of bed, full of excitement about what lies ahead for us that day. However, that’s rarely the norm. It’s often the case that the drudgery of days gets the better of us, and we struggle to lift our heads off the pillow, and put one foot in front of the other as we walk to the bathroom to half-heartedly get ready for another day.
If only we could more reliably tap into a way of being that cultivates more zeal.
The philosopher Bertrand Russell believed that living with zest was one thing that many of the happiest people he knew shared in common. And he defined these zesty people as those with an innate curiosity to discover more about the details of life. Simply put, they stop and attend to the present moment.
To Russell, people with a zeal and zest for life took a deep interest in many things, such as how people look and speak. They appreciate the beauty of their surroundings, and often take an alternative route to their destination in the hope of discovering something new. Even everyday tasks such as eating and drinking hold promise for those with zeal and zest, a chance to savor the taste and texture of every mouthful of food, and wallow in the wonder of the aroma given off by a hot drink such as a morning coffee.
It’s easier for us to experience this kind of energy when we are present in the many moments every day brings, and approach them with curiosity and wonder. We can try to appreciate what we have in the here and now without being distracted by events from the past or concerns about what might be around the next corner. When we do so, when we live more fully in the present moment, it is enlivening.
When we slow down and attend, we avail ourselves of the feelings that arise – whether they are positive or negative. Either way, they bring energy into the system, help guide us, and give us the potential to live with more zeal and zest. Doing so increases our aliveness and vitality, bringing more clarity and meaning to our lives while connecting us to a deeper and fuller experience of what it means to be us and to be alive.
We no longer feel stuck in a moment, and can instead enjoy the sense of flow, movement and positivity that brings us. We can feel an energy that enlivens us, making us feel stronger and more empowered. An energy that allows us to open up, break through old barriers and experience life from a fresh perspective. This energy helps us realize our true potential. Helps us feel fully alive, vital and deeply connected to not only our own feelings, but also to others.
By overcoming our fears and waking up to the emotional richness inside of ourselves, we become more intimately connected with the people in our lives and the world around us, and more able and willing to live with a sense of joyful zeal and energetic zest.
So, give it a try. See what happens when you slow down and attend to your experience. When you lean into the moment instead of rushing to the next place. Give yourself the opportunity to be more fully in the present moment and see what it brings.
