What does it mean to thrive? According to Singh Bhai, thriving means “living your best life and actualizing your full potential, even if you don’t recognize it. It’s about living in alignment with your purpose, values, and highest self.”
Do you sometimes feel that you are simply getting by, just merely going through the motions every day? When we are meeting our basic needs but struggle to feel fulfilled, then we are just surviving. Thriving, on the other hand, is experiencing satisfaction and fulfilment as one goes through life.
To know if we are thriving or just merely surviving, Mereka of Mereka Space says that we should ask ourselves the following questions:
- Am I just getting through the day, or am I actively engaged in pursuing my goals and passions?
- Do I feel content and satisfied with my life, or do I feel like something is missing?
Reflect on your answers and gain a better understanding of whether you are truly thriving or just merely surviving.
Research studies have been done to know how human beings thrive. They discovered seven enablers of thriving:
- Positive perspective: Thriving is linked to the following attitudes: hopeful future expectations, optimistic attitude, and positive views of your future. When you have this attitude in life, you are able to cope with stress and whatever adversities that come your way. You are looking positively at your life and where it is going and you feel confident that you can reach your personal goals.
- Religiosity and spirituality: Thriving entails having a relationship with a higher power or having a spiritual community. When one is practicing one’s religion or spirituality, there is a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
- Proactive personality: You are more likely to thrive when you areproactively pursuing a goal and seeking out opportunities to be challenged.
- Motivation: When you are thriving you are motivated to grow.Your strengths, talents, and interests serve as your sparks for growth and learning.
- Knowledge and learning: the desire to learn and to commit to continuous improvement of one’s skills and knowledge it is important to thriving.
- Psychological resilience: Every time adversities arise, those that are thriving are able to adjust and adapt. They overcome their struggles and even benefit from them.
- Social competence: Being able to connect with others and benefit from their support are important enablers of thriving. For a person to thrive it matters that he or she connect with others.
(Ryan Niemic, Institute on Character)
Practical Strategies for Thriving
- Establish clear and achievable short and long-term goals that align with your values and passions.
- Prioritize self-care: make time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.
- Seek out social connections and engage in joy and fulfilling activities.
- Develop a mindfulness practice to help manage stress and anxiety and promote emotional well-being.
- Focus on continuous improvement and embrace a growth mindset.
(Mereka of Mereka Space)
You can transform your life from just surviving the day-to-day challenges to having a fruitful, meaningful existence. But you have to consciously choose to thrive in life. It is a personal decision and a personal commitment to make in choosing a life that is genuinely thriving.