GRAND Magazine - January/February 2017 - 31

grand living
If you're having a hard time separating a want
from a yearning, try applying the "so that" test.
For example: "I want more time with my grandkids,
so that...we can have fun together."
"More time with the grandkids" is a want. Keep
applying the "so that" until you can't anymore.
Like so: "I want more time with my grandkids so
that we can have fun together."
"I want to have fun together so that we can build
memories and connect with each other."
"I want to build memories and connect with my
grandkids so that I feel valued and full of life."
"I want to feel valued and full of life ... I yearn to
feel valued and full of life."
We don't have to, nor should we, wait until we are
with our grandkids to feel valued and full of life. It's
up to us to live vibrant, valuable lives-all the time.
Aliveness is available every moment wherever we are,
if only we have the courage to yearn and engage.

That means being willing to act your yearnings in the
moment, to be spontaneous, and risk looking silly.
Haven't we earned the right at this age?
It's easier to stay where we are in life and to tread
water, but in truth, just because we aren't reaching for
and working toward fulfilling our yearnings, doesn't mean
they go away. Our yearnings are very much a part of who
we are. Our heart longs for the things that make it sing.
When we react to the absence of our yearnings, it
can come out as frustration; snapping at our partner,
our adult children, or our friends; feeling sad; or distancing ourselves from new experiences and discoveries. Many of these surface reactions result because
we're avoiding or ignoring our deep-down yearnings.
For example, we all know someone who drones on forever, who's constantly soaking up attention but never
satisfied. This indicates a yearning to be seen, heard,
and affirmed by someone who has given up.

Awaken Your Awe

Our brains are amazingly adaptable and growth-oriented. Deep within our neural circuitry, we humans have
neuroplasticity-the ability to build new circuits and
form new neural pathways, allowing us to learn, engage,
and grow. So we're not simply animals driven by biological imperatives and instinct; we are all adapting, evolving and ever-changing-and our brains love it!

"

To feel a sense of awe and
wonder, we need to put down
the remote, get out from
behind the computer, and get
back in touch with the world
around us.

31 GRAND

JANUARY FEBRUARY 2017

Our yearnings lead us to experiment, to learn and,
if followed, to personal growth. Learning new things
and growing, and forming these new neuropathways
can happen at any age-not just as children. When we
form these pathways, our brains continue to grow. We
become sharper, happier, and we feel more alive. We
lower our stress levels, and we feel more deeply connected with those around us.
To feel a sense of awe and wonder, we need
to put down the remote, get out from behind the
computer, and get back in touch with the world
around us. We need to learn new things, connect
with nature, feel joy, and marvel in the beauty of
the night sky or the sunrise. It all begins with risking
spontaneity.
When we look at our grandchildren, we can take
a cue from their sense of amazement at the world
around them. When was the last time you got on the
floor with them and played? Or giggled?
Embracing "awe" means getting out the door and
stepping into a GRAND life. It means staying social,
listening, connecting and trying new experiences.
Childhood is a series of new experiences and activities, each more stimulating, exciting and awe-inspiring
than the last. As we grow, we have to continue to nurture this sense of awe and wonder. Embrace your "awe"
today.

Relationships experts, world-class
coaches, and best-selling authors,
Dr. Judith and Dr. Bob Wright
are co-founders of the Wright
Foundation for the Realization of
Human Potential and The Wright
Graduate University and authors of
The Heart of the Fight


http://www.amzn.to/2bJyzbG http://www.grandmagazine.com/2016/06/grand-living/ http://www.wrightliving.com/how-to-get-what-you-want-engage http://www.wrightliving.com/how-to-get-what-you-want-engage http://www.thewrightfoundation.org/ http://www.thewrightfoundation.org/ http://www.thewrightfoundation.org/ http://www.heartofthefight.com/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - January/February 2017

https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2024winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2023fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2023summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2023winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2022fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2022summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2022spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2022winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2021fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2021summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2021spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2021winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2020fall_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2020summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2020spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/2020winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20181112_drm
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20161112_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20160910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20160708_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20160506_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20160304_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20160102_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20151112_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20150910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20150708_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20150506_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20150304_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20150102_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/201401112_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20140910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20140708_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20140506_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20140304_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20140102_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20131112_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20130910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20130708_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20130506_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20130304_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20130102_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20121112_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20120910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20120708_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20120506_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20120304_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20120102_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20111112_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20110910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20110708_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20110506_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20110304_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20110102_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20101112_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20100910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20100708_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20100506_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20100304_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/201001_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200912_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200911_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200909_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200908_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200907_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200906_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200905_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20080910_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200904_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200903_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/200902_v3
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/grand/20081112_v6
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com