What is your Approach to Life?
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26200)
Singapore
June 1, 2018 9:06am CST
I can say I have managed to keep stress at bay most of the times. When I watch others getting overwhelmed with their issues I come to the conclusion most are self-created. My approach to life after I attained “enlightenment” is as below:
1. Do not pursue those that bring stress.
2. Don’t overstretch, be they personal life choices or workplace issues.
3. Be open and frank with views so that we carry a lighter load in terms of misunderstandings.
4. Most are working for others and so try not to carry workload home
5. If on own business, our passion for work reduces stress; so enjoy what you do.
6. Lots happen in life over which we have no control; so tackle issues as they come with an attitude of doing the best and leaving the rest!
7. Don’t fret about the future; when we take care of the present the future will take care of itself.
I do admire those who can multitask, are driven, with the single-minded pursuit of their goals. I have done those off and on but was keen to slow down at the first opportunity.
I like to savor life at a slower pace. How about you?
Image: Balance of Life: from Wikimedia Commons
19 people like this
17 responses
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
1 Jun 18
Hi Siva. I have been overworking so I tell myself THat I deserve a break. 
4 people like this
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
4 Jun 18
@innertalks That is a nice perspective Steve, thanks.
We form part of the whole but we have freedom and space to maneuver on our own.
Whether we slow down or run faster, we will be swept away in the end by the passage of time.
However, I like to savor the moments and reflect on them.
There is always the danger of overindulgence in something we like at the cost of others.
Life comes as a package, so why exclude and overlook some? siva
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
1 Jun 18
I have pretty much the same approach to life. I keep to myself and avoid conflict. I've learned not to 'react' to those seeking an argument. I practice detachment, not being completely dependant on things or other people. Being grateful for what I have. 
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157545)
• United States
3 Jun 18
I used to stress and multi task and try to take on the world. I am slowing down. I hope that it will be sweet and satisfying.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45464)
• India
4 Jun 18
Well, sometimes I feel I am able to manage things well. At other times, I feel as if everything is slipping out of my control. My balance between work and life tilts too much towards one side.
Then, I sometimes get frustrated if I am unable to take out time for acquiring newer skills or following my passions.
I know that extra stress does not helps, yet sometimes I feel as if I tend to get into common traps.
As for the life's pace: I don't like things too fast, often putting my views in conflict with others around me.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
5 Jun 18
It is tough for a family person as not only our interest is at stake.
So we need to compromise, give and take.
I worked for forty years and it was always the work at the back of my mind though I resolved to prioritize; work gets precedence while in office and family while at home.
Then I made a conscious decision to live for myself and not to impress others with material possessions.
All these lent stability to my life to a great extent - siva
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
2 Jun 18
After getting flustered at the drop of a hat when things did not go my way wisdom has now dawned on me - thanks to my grey hair which ofcourse I have dyed (lol) - to such a pass that there is a spring in my step no matter what.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
2 Jun 18
@Shiva49 Trying to please others is the worst approach to life
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
2 Jun 18
That is the way to keep ourselves sane.
In my earlier working years, I was anxious for others approval but over time I just did my best without fear or favor. That way I reduced needless tension.
When we try to impress others we lose our individuality - siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
2 Jun 18
@allknowing Yes, when we try to please all, we end up displeasing many including ourselves too - siva
2 people like this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
2 Jun 18
Thank you for sharing your wisdom once more .. I so agree with all of things you enumerated there ..
2 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51511)
• Philippines
2 Jun 18
Thank you very much for your advises you have given over here.
2 people like this
@anamika161088 (11868)
• India
4 Jun 18
Live and let live my approach towards life.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21021)
• Australia
3 Jun 18
I have no approach to life.
Should I have one, or have I really got a hidden one, that is controlling me, perhaps only hidden in my hidden subconsciousness of it, hidden somewhere deep within me, or not (and which I am currently denying)?
Each person lives their life differently, and how they end up living it could be called their approach to life, and whether they are conscious of this way, or not, it is true that their life is currently being lived that way by them.
Many things affect this, but the biggest influence is love, that is if you allow it to be itself within you.
If not love, it is always fear, the opposite of love, which will set your agenda for you by planning you away from love, and its courageousness of life approach, at every opportunity for it to do so.
A way of life, based on fear, is no way of life at all.
This is so because this way of life keeps you hiding from everyone, yourself included, whereas a life or way of living, based on love, always ensures that all of you is coming out to live it fully.
It is only then that we are our real self, when we live in this way.
Photo Credit:
The photo used here was freely sourced from the free media site: pixabay.com.
Does our approach to life create new horizons for us, or not then?
@innertalks (21021)
• Australia
4 Jun 18
@Shiva49 Some people, myself included, do not like being treated by others, better than that person treats themselves.
We do not ever really know how people like to be treated.
I rather play it by ear, and treat them as I see fit in any particular situation. I usually end up then treating them as I see best that they like to be treated, and it usually too has nothing to do with how I like to be treated myself.
For example, I do not like to be called by my own name, especially so by nosy bank tellers, who have looked at my bankcard, and then "smartly" called me by my name.
The so-called self-help books, especially one I am thinking of by Dale Carnegie, on winning friends and influencing people, usually say that to a person their name is the sweetest thing to hear, from other people, but I do not see this to be the case, most of that writing is just cannon fodder for cows to chew over, and bears little relevance to the real world of individuals.
We should check the individual case, and not live from over-generalisations of the treatment of others.
That's just how I see things from myself though.
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
4 Jun 18
@innertalks I can understand your point of view, Steve
However, people respond positively when others treat them well as a human being than as someone to serve us for example.
When I visit government offices, I greet the people and some are surprised as they may not be used to it in certain places. I also smile often and that is a real door opener; it comes naturally but, sometimes, others are guarded in their response but I can live with that!
I treat others as equal and no way obsequious so that others are at ease.
I am at ease anyways - people being aloof and too friendly too.
Any aberration on their part is not my problem - siva
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
4 Jun 18
The greatest fulfillment in life is by living a life of love and compassion.
But we have to make some compromises too especially when we have family responsibilities to earn a living not only for us.
My general attitude is to treat others better than I am treated and that gives me a spring in my steps.
Fear and anxiety arise when we stray from love and inclusiveness.
I find people are observant and they do recognize our good intentions and change their own ways for the better too - siva
1 person likes this
