Introduction
When we're going through hard things, it is so tempting to continue living life by going through the motions in autopilot. Instead of living in the moment, we try to distance ourselves from everything. In doing so, we distance ourselves from every opportunity for positive change and hope. We do less living and more moving forward with our eyes wide shut. Slowly but surely, life becomes less enjoyable–not because of the challenge but because of our refusal to believe things will change and/or make that change. Trying to protect ourselves ends up removing all hope (and therefore all abundant life–for where is abundant life without hope?). In a way, we are doing the right thing. We're enduring and making it through to the end of the struggle. However, endurance is a two way street. You can endure and finish the race with joy and hope or you can endure and finish the race, only to pass out at the finish line. You're technically enduring and completing the task at hand with both types of endurance but only one allows you to continue on after. This is important because abundant life requires endurance. The only way you can keep your eyes wide open when your instincts are commanding your body to do the opposite, is with endurance.
Just in case you don't know what abundant life looks like, let me give you a few examples. Abundant life looks like dancing in the middle of a storm or genuinely laughing when everything's going wrong. It looks like talking about the light at the end of the tunnel, instead of the never ending tunnel. I know this because I have spent way too much time crying instead of dancing, staying silent instead of laughing, and talking about the tunnel until there's no one listening.
Abundant life doesn't mean that you don't care about what's going on. You just care about yourself more.
This abundant life isn't impossible to achieve, even though it may feel too far out of reach. This feeling doesn't change the fact that stressful events and/or experiences tend to make you lose yourself or at least, a part of yourself. With abundant life, you are able to keep more of yourself because you are actually living in the present while going through hard times.
Ideas for an Abundant Life
Having an abundant life is more of a mindset/internal frame of mind. However, this doesn't mean that there aren't things you can do to encourage that shift on especially hard days. So I thought I'd tell you about some things that have helped me.
Finding a Hobby. This looks like anything that you do for yourself and yourself only. For example, it could be playing an instrument. This hobby would be different if you were a professional musician or were performing in hopes of becoming famous. Do you see what I mean? Find something that you enjoy doing by yourself without the pressure of views or monetization. This is beneficial because it allows you to express your thoughts and feelings in a private and healthy way. It opens the door for you to be your freest self.
Meditation/Yoga. I know it sounds cheesy but there have been so many studies that show they are very effective at reducing stress and allow for one to be more focused and present during traumatic situations (Istvan Schreiner and James P. Malcom did a study on the benefits of Meditation for people with anxiety, depression, and stress; this is just one example). There are two meditation apps I recommend are Headspace (paid) and Insight Timer (free and paid). A meditation podcast I recommend is Meditative Story. A yoga app I've had recommended to me is Down Dog (paid). For the most part, I find yoga on Pinterest, though, and just listen to music.
Engaging in a supportive community. Recently, I graduated high school and lost a lot of this community. When I went to Austria, I was able to feel that again. I know it's particularly difficult right now to talk to people as you can't see them face to face. If you haven't already, schedule a time to call or facetime your friends. You won't regret it! I should also mention that you can be in community and it not be supportive. This could be for a variety of reasons but the two biggest reasons are that it is unsafe/unapproved for you to share your true opinions and/or self with them or that your community is encouraging you to make stupid decisions instead of smart ones. This is the perfect time to easily fade away from an unsupportive community if that's what you need to do. There are plenty of Facebook groups where you can meet new, supportive, and like minded people. If you do have a supportive community but need some professional help from a therapist, there are websites like Better Help or Talkspace that offer therapy. Because of the current pandemic, there are also more and more local therapists offering online services. Don't hesitate to search for a therapist if your insurance only covers in state options. There are now more online services for mental health (and general health) than ever before.
Having fun. This one seems really easy, but is actually the easiest to forget. I get so lost in my own world of study, work, sleep, repeat, that I forget I should be doing at least one thing that I enjoy somewhere in that cycle. This may even be as simple as taking the time to enjoy something rather than rushing through it.
Taking care of your basic needs. If you have a chronic or mental illness, this one may be especially hard some days. It is so worth it. I find on the days that I forget to eat are some of the hardest days pain-wise. When all of your days start to blend together, make sure you're eating, drinking water, showering, brushing your teeth, changing clothes, sleeping, and taking your meds. I don't care what the struggle is. You need to do most of these in order to function at a minimal level. If you're feeling so depressed that you can't cook, order delivery, eat potato chips, or ask for your roommate to cook for you. You will only spiral downward, away from being able to live abundantly if you aren't even able to stay alive.
Choosing Abundant Life
Of course, all of these things are so much easier said than done and I wish had an easier solution for you than the one I'm about to say. For some very lucky people, living abundantly is just a natural response to life. But for most of us, abundant life only comes after going through a lot of challenging experiences. You reach a point when you realize that you're never going to truly live if you don't choose abundant life because (spoiler alert) there will always be something bad happening. I wish me telling you about abundant life and why it's important would be enough to make all of us live our very best lives. Unfortunately, I don't know if it is, but I do know that it is enough for a step in the right direction, no matter how small. COVID 19 is frightening at the very least and a massive mountain at the most. I think most of us are probably somewhere in between these two places. Wherever you are, do not forget that you are called to live and live abundantly. In John 10:10b, Jesus says, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." He's talking about you. Don't let anything stand in your way! God's on your side and so am I.
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