Living a BIG LIFE...or Not

I have an amazing acquaintance who said to me a few years ago: "I want to live a big life!" 

I remember being so moved by her. Impressed at her courageous statement.

I had never actually thought of living a big life. A good life. A worthy life. A life of no regret...but not a big life. Wow. What would it take to live a big life? And to be fair to me, I think I sort of dabbled with the idea at the time, and sort of forgot. Living a good life. Contributing. But lately feeling like I am simply surviving rather than thriving. Rather than having a big life.

And all this came back when I ran into this person again. She said she has been struggling a bit, having taken on a lot and now feeling as if she, too, was surviving and not thriving. 

As we talked I could see her eyes light up as she once again re-remembered her 'big life' statement. I have no doubt that she will get 'back on track' and once again pursue what is, for her, a big life.

But what does it take to thrive, to continue to aspire to more LIFE in your life?

I have listed some of the things that it takes for me to navigate toward THRIVING. You might ask yourself the question: are you just surviving, or are you living your version of thriving or a big life?

For me:
Knowing that although I will move forward, I will also move sideways or even backwards at times. And that when that happens it is important for me to have compassion for myself. Kindness for me.
I think it takes reminders around me: visual reminders, or people who I have talked to who can help hold a vision of what I want.
It takes time each day to remember, or re-remember what I want.
It takes creativity and joy, playfulness to imagine, to dream.
Maybe doing some research, some Googling of ideas or plans; talking to others or reading about people who inspire you.
It takes time each day to remember, or re-remember what I want.
It takes time each day to remember, or re-remember what I want.

These are some of the things I need to keep moving toward thriving. What about you? What does it take for you to live a BIG LIFE?