What if your life had an expiry date?
Recently, we went to the cemetery to remember family members who have passed away. This is something we do periodically during the year. And that got me thinking. What would it mean if our lives had an expiry date, like a bag of milk? More specifically, what if you knew you only had one year to live?
What choices would you make about how you spend your time?
Where would you put your attention?
What one thing would you accomplish?
Who would you choose to spend time with?
What risks would you take?
What challenges would you embrace?
What would you say no to, so as to find the time to do what you want to do?
What legacy would you want to leave behind?
Over the past five months, these questions have become more relevant to me and I am finding that I am shifting the way I am living my life. I feel a sense of urgency about not wanting to live in the status quo and go through the motions of life, predictably, day after day. And there is something incredibly empowering about taking control of my life. My first change was to stop watching “The Young and the Restless”. This was my guilty pleasure and I started to watch the show last year. I knew I had a problem when I started to PVR the show. My son razzed me about this everyday. So I gave up watching the show last month. This saves me 5 hours a week – what a sheer gift of time! I now use this time to explore the ravine behind our home, read on my deck and try new things of interest to me. I have streamlined my emails so they no longer take over my life. I have learnt to be brutal with time but gracious with people.
I have learnt that there are only a few things that are important to me in my life. Family and close friends, having the opportunity to serve meaningfully, being part of a strong community, having a very clear sense of purpose and work that brings meaning to life, making a difference in the world so that my life matters. Everything else is just noise. And I am realizing that perhaps in the past I spent more time on the noise, in the hustle and bustle of life, making a living, not really consciously thinking about what really matters. It’s so easy to get trapped in the day to day of life.
So I am using this time to re-evaluate my life to gain clarity on what constitutes a fulfilling life for me. One tool that helps me take stock of my life is the Wheel of Life, which I complete twice a year..
The Wheel of Life is an assessment tool that helps you assess, at any one point in time, your level of satisfaction with various parts of your life. Using this tool, you can evaluate the areas of your life that are working well and aspects you need to focus on in order to achieve a more balanced life.
Below is a link to a blank Assessment Wheel, as well as a sample Wheel which you can use to complete your own personal “Wheel of Life”.
Life is not just about living, or even making a living. It is about creating your destiny and living your best life. Life is a brilliant gift and we can choose consciously how we live it!
31 responses to “The Wheel of Life”
I continue to learn from you my dearest Munira. You will always be my beloved mentor, wisest and most colorful friend.
Love you loads.
Deva
I love the reference to the colorful friend!!! You are so funny and I miss you dearly. My garden continues to be a mess (although I like to think of it as hack g potential!). What’s happening in your life? How is your family? Call me! Munira
I guess we are too late now for the gardening project 101 this year… I promise to work on your dream garden next summer. Trying to make the most of what’s left of the school holidays with my boys. A day doesn’t go by without me thinking of you and wishing you well on your journey. I am there with you in mind, always.
Let’s talk soon,
Deva
think accomplishing small small things , and big things will take care of themselves ,just like think about saving pennies and pounds will take care of themselves?
does it add up?
Totally adds up. I think the beauty of the wheel is it allows you to think about what areas you want to focus on. It’s tough to work on everything at the same time. If you can identify one area, you can take small steps to succeed. Hugs, Munira
My Dearest Munira,
Even when you are not at work/working you are teaching us and helping us grow and develop!! You are truly and inspiration to all. Think of you constantly. Also, I think I need to take on this Personal Assessment wheel and see what I may be missing! By the way you totally ROCKED that blonde look!!
Lots of long, strong hugs sent your way!!
Paddy
Hi there Paddy now are you doing? I just bought a Groupon and thought about you! I also loved the blond look! Miss you so much. Munira
Ya ali madad Mukhianima,
I am so sorry I missed you in khane! Thank you for taking the time to update us & for guiding us. Always sometyhing new to learn from you! You are just amazing! God be with you every step of the way. I am so excited to perform The Personal Assesment Wheel and find out what’s in store for me!!.
take good care of yourself and enjoy Florida.
Love you Always!!
warm Hugs,
Rashida
Hi Rashida. I would love to hear about your experience with the personal assessment wheel once you’ve had a chance to complete it! Munira
Munira, YAM!
You know i have learnt so much from you, to live more happily and take each day as it comes! i have stopped worrying about things that I cannot fix and leave everything to Mowla! Munira you are an amazing person you really inspire me to live my life to the fullest! I respect you a lot, I have always believed that good things happen to good people and you are one of those people, inshallah everything will fall in place for you and your family! You are always in my prayers! Saira Nasirdin!
Hi Saira. We love getting your comments!! Just got back from Florida where we lived every minister to the fullest! Munira
By asking the right questions, we find the right answers… the important ones. I knew these questions before but I was not taking them as seriously as of today. Take good care of you and your love ones.
Hi there Pascale! If truly is all about asking the right questions. The brain responds to the questions it is asked, doesn’t it? Munira
I do believe so. There is something mysterious about the brain function…something spiritual I guess. May be not only in the brain but closely link to the heart. Body and soul….bigger than us.
I am so happy to see you enjoy yourself on vacation. You are absolutely, amazingly beautiful on the picture…must be because we see a little bit more of your soul.
Love Dear Munira 🙂
conscious or subconscious mind, one can always try ,its like ethics ,conscious,written or subconscious mind,one has to follow
This iidea and lesson is superb! However it has to be learned , adapted and embraced
hope you are having a good time , we love you
Totally agree with you. It is all about adapting, embracing and implemtimg an idea! Munira
Thank you
Thank you very much for taking time to guide us. The challenge is with us. God give you a smile every morning and through the day. Lots of Love and care.
Hi Lucy. We were in Florida this past week and smiled every moment of the day. So God heard you! Munira
Hey Mukhianima Munira,
Thank you once again for your wisdom and teaching us something new. In life we’re always learning and it is through profound insights from shared experiences that make our lives richer. I am really eager to perform the Personal Assessment Wheel and find out what it tells me!!
Hope you are having a wonderful time away.
Love you lots,
Dilshad
Dearest Dilshad Can’t wait to hear how you did with the Personal Wheel. If you like, we can discuss it and I can offer some coaching around it. Thought of you in Florida. Denny’s makes this mango smoothie that I had a few times and loved. Sabrina reminded me that it was just like your mango delite! In fact, yoiurs is better! Look forward to seeing you soon. Munira
Munira, you are an incredible inspiration to us all.Your message resounds loud and clear. Our challenge will be to learn from your life lessons, which you have so eloquently shared, and to remember to apply them in our own day to day living.
Dearest Renee. As always it is such a pleasure to hear from you! Thanks for your love and encouragement. Florida was fabulous. I have come back emotionally, physically and mentally ready to start chemo for the Myleoma tomorrow. Hugs, Munira
Thank you so much for sharing the above-post. It is very enlightening, there are many of us who are lost in the noise and forget what is it like to live conciously.
In addition, I am glad to hear that you have stopped watching Y & R also lol. I hope and pray that you are in fully recovering mode, Ameen.
I am glad I’ve stopped watching Y&R too! Thanks for your note. Munira
Since being diagnosed, especially since finishing treatment and being in recovery I have made a conscious decision to be happy. To make decisions and choices that are what I actually want and make me smile. Not to the detriment of anyone else, but especially with me in mind. It’s liberating@@
I relate totally to what you are saying Wannietta. So glad that you are in recovery. I think of you often. Munira
Yam Mukhiani Saheba,
Wow!! What an inspirational story. We do sweat the small stuff and get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life to look within and do something more meaningful. Thank you so much for sharing and reminding us how precious the gift of life is. We pray for your speedy recovery. Ameen.
Shellina – How are you? Would love to connect and find out how things are going with school and work. You are right. Life is so precious. Florida was fantastic! Munira
Munira, I am not family nor friend in your eyes however I have been following your posts since the early issues and I have be touched and conquered in spirit. I feel very very close to you guys and have a strong emotional bond with you all. I was hoping to connect with you one day however this post illustration your precious limited time so I will just continue listening. Your opening up is VERY commendable. Love U all.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and for giving us a reason to write. We are finding the blogging and sharing of our experiences to be carhartic. And while we may not know you personally, we really appreciate your being part of this journey with us! With gratitude, Munira