A day of rest each week
15 years ago, my father was diagnosed with brain cancer and given nine months to live and I found out I was pregnant. That nine month period felt like life was grabbing me by the shoulders, looking me in the eye and saying “focus on what matters.” When he died and my daughter was born within days, my husband and two daughters started our practice of what we call “Tech Shabbat.” No screens from Friday night to Saturday night for Shabbat. It is literally the most profound practice I have ever done. It brings me presence, joy, humor, balance, connection, creativity, and a rhythm to my week that guides me.
Laugh as much as possible
Humor is everywhere if you look for it. And I’m definitely looking for it and love finding it. And then I like to write about it. At the end of each day, I write down if something made me laugh. At the end of the week on Shabbat, I usually compile all of those things that made me laugh onto one list. Here’s the best part: Years later when I open that journal back up, all those things make me laugh again. Anais Nin once said, “I journal to live life twice.” In this case, I get to laugh twice.
Think Big
This one comes from my father. He stretched the canvas of his mind as far as his imagination took him. He used to literally say “think big.” When I start a project, my instinct is no barriers, no gates, no nos, just blue skies. Yes, there will be tons of no’s, and tons of challenges to try to bring that idea into existence, but once I can see that bigger vision, I have a destination and know I can make something powerful happen.
Tiffany Shlain is an artist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and national best-selling author. tiffanyshlain.com
