Your Best

with Mona Bernhardt, LCSW

Top 5 Ways to Live Your Best

Why live in Olney? Seems like folks either can’t believe I moved back or are surprised to hear how much I love it here.

And yet, it’s very common to hear “successful” people who live in cities idealize exactly the kinds of lives we get to live here. Some of the characteristics of a wholesome life lived anywhere are easy to come by in Olney. As a psychotherapist, my suggestions will mostly be about thoughts, attitudes, perspectives, and emotions. Here are my top 5 recommendations:

Put God first. Isn’t it amazing, miraculous, and mind-blowing that the Creator and Source of everything, somehow, wants a relationship with each and every one of us?! Yes, you! I’m not here to preach but it really, truly works. Cultivate awe, as in... wonder; that feeling people express when they see all the stars in the night sky–which you can actually see here–rather than in a city where the light pollution makes it difficult, if not impossible. Cultivating awe brings what inspires us closer, to the forefront of our mind rather than leaving it in the background, which increases our resiliency, feels good, and makes us better people.

Serve. Connect with friends, family and help others. One of my favorite things about living in a small town is how so many folks are willing to help, however they can, because they have the wisdom that this voluntary exchange makes everything better for the whole community. And it just plain makes you feel better. Volunteer work is a great antidote for depression, though sometimes that’s counterintuitive, especially when you’re tired. And of course, there are times when you need to rest. Naturally. But it’s also good to be of service when you know you’ve got what you need and your neighbor could use a hand.

Simplify. No, I’m not talking about Marie Kondo, who publicly announced that she stopped tidying at the beginning of this year. While tidying is a way of simplifying, there are ways to live simply that go beyond being tidy. Certain life events, like tragedy and death, while devastating, can also make clear what truly matters. We’re all touched by grief, with no exceptions, and while painful, it helps us prioritize our values and focus on what’s important. People over things, relationships over entertainment, health and peace over busy-ness and noise.

Garden. There are so many benefits from growing our own food: quality of produce, and working the soil, which has been shown to have better outcomes than taking antidepressants and movement. Gardening is a great, meaningful exercise. Fresh air, sunshine, everything about gardening is good for the soul. Well, maybe not the pests.

Have fun! And unplug. Once a friend told me, after returning from Thailand, that fun is like a currency in their culture–how everything is measured by how much fun it is. There are many simple ways to have fun: sharing stories with friends, being willing to laugh at yourself, playing cards or board games, hiking, sports–so many ways to have fun that don’t require batteries or outlets.

Living your best isn’t necessarily about accumulating wealth, although it can be for some. Sometimes living your best is about increasing peace and harmony, nurturing relationships and wholeness.

Agree? Disagree? Questions? All feedback welcome! Email YourBestHereOl-ney@ gmail.com. Feel free to make suggestions if there’s a topic you’d like to hear more about. All feedback will remain confidential (unless limited by law).

Mona Bernhardt, LCSW grew up in Olney and happily returned after living elsewhere for 40 years.