Many people tend to view someone who can solve math problems easily, get straight A's, or know a lot of facts, as a smart person. However, those who do well in school, or have a lot of knowledge in a particular area, may not make smart choices. Perhaps they are on the high honor roll, but choose to get themselves into situations that make them uncomfortable, react instead of respond, or spend their time worrying about the future, regretting the past etc. Making smart choices has nothing to do with how intelligent you are, but rather how connected and intuitive you allow yourself to be.
How can one get to that place of receptivity and connection? By following the acronym SMART(serve, meditate, awareness, redirect, trust), we can practice making smarter choices in our daily lives. In choosing to do SMART things, in time, we can tune into that place of clarity, where the choices that will be in our best interest come easily to us.
Serving is a SMART choice if our actions are bringing us a sense of joy and fulfillment. If we serve someone, lets say by donating money or time to a charitable event, and in doing so we feel a sense of lack of funds or time, resulting in discomfort, we are doing ourselves a disservice. There are limitless ways in which we can be of service including voluteering, helping someone carry groceries, doing chores, listening to someone, comforting a friend, buying someone a coffee or flower, giving a message etc. We have to find a way to serve that works best for us.
Meditating is a SMART and wonderful way to gain clarity, insight, and be able to think in more constructive and productive ways. Quieting the mind and allowing ourselves to not have resistant thoughts, is an invitation for solutions and peace.
Awareness is SMART for personal growth. With personal growth comes smart choices because we become more conscious about who we are, what we're doing, and what changes may need to be made in order to see the results we're wanting.
Redirecting thoughts Is a SMART action to take when what we're thinking about or focusing on is not pleasing us. It takes practice, awareness and focus, but is one of the SMARTest actions to take in order to change momentum in a more positive and SMART direction.
Trusting that things are working out for us is a SMART way to think about any situation. We win or we learn, and learning is winning too. With lessons comes smarter choices in the future, and trusting in the divine order and timing of life is an important part of living a SMART life.
Living a "smarter" life may mean making adjustments and changes that are not comfortable to us. That being said, it's a process that's well worth it. What changes can you start making to live a life full of SMART choices?
Mindartists tip: Make a SMART choice every day this week through either being of service, meditating, being more aware, redirecting thoughts, trusting, or all of the above!
