Mental Matters
By Jennifer Goble

Let’s imagine you could only love, genuinely love, five things. (not including people or pets) What would be YOUR top five? Just five. Think about it. Make a list. Write them down.

It is essential to know what you truly love because each is significant in your daily, weekly, monthly choices and lifetime dreams.

For example, one of my five loves includes learning. Therefore I say, “Yes” to new experiences and great speakers. Another on my list is open-mindedness. I avoid people and events who do not attempt to see two sides of an issue. Being organized is high on my list, and I keep an orderly environment. I also love laughter, so I hang out with people who see their cups half full and know how to find humor in living. My last is civility. For my respect, one must put effort toward kindness.

It is impossible to create a life free of what we disrespect and dislike because we often need to compromise in life to get along with people we love. But, if we know ourselves, we can maintain a balance with our choices.

A well thought out love list is vital. It is not inactive; what we love changes as life happens. Knowing what we like, enjoy, and look forward to, is crucial because without understanding what drives us, we flounder and end up continually doing what we don’t want to do. If we don’t own what we love and avoid what we detest, we say, “Yes” without thought. Consistently saying, “Yes,” when we want to say, “No,” can lead to depression, anger, and misery in general.

If we don’t identify what we love, we can waste days, months, and years. Remember, we don’t get today again.

Think about yesterday. Did you make choices based on YOUR top five loves?

I did. I straightened my house, went to a store with clerks who are friendly and kind, watched news not bashing the opposite party, and I attended an art show where I learned something and enjoyed stimulating creativity and conversations.

Do yourself a favor; know what you love and be mindful while making choices. Learn to say, “Yes” to what YOU love, and “No, thank you” to activities you would never choose if you were by yourself.

Closing with a quote by Tom Hanks: You might not make it to the top, but if you are doing what you love, there is much more happiness there than being rich or famous.

Know YOUR five top loves?

Until the next time: Live while you live,

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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