3547: Experiences, Not Things by Ali Cornish with Everthrive on Personal Growth and Lasting Happiness

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3550: More money can improve life if used wisely. Michael Laurence explores why higher incomes don’t always lead to greater happiness, often due to stressful jobs, debt, and societal pressures. True financial well-being comes from spending in ways that create freedom, security, and genuine joy, rather than simply keeping up with the Joneses. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getrichslowly.org/more-money-less-happiness/ Quotes to ponder: "Money, in short, is neutral. It’s a tool that can make you happier, or less happy, depending on how you choose to spend it." "Instead of using the extra income to buy freedom and peace of mind, which would make them happier, they incur more debt, which makes them more anxious than ever." "Living on somebody else’s terms, living somebody else’s life, is not a recipe for happiness, and if you do it, extra money won’t make you any happier." Episode references: Your Money or Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Life-Transforming-Relationship/dp/0143115766 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3549: Spending time in nature and reconnecting with cherished childhood places can offer a profound shift in perspective. Rachel Macy Stafford reflects on how revisiting her aunt and uncle’s home after decades helped her rediscover the power of "unselfing," turning attention outward to embrace the beauty of the world beyond personal worries. By zooming out, immersing in nature, and appreciating life's vastness, we can find strength and clarity in unexpected ways. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.handsfreemama.com/2023/08/25/i-hope-you-feel-small-the-surprising-upside-of-unselfing/ Quotes to ponder: "This card reminded me of your long driveway. Every time we pulled into the driveway leading up to your house, my heart raced with excitement and happiness." "At home, I tended to make myself the center of my own universe, so naturally, everything felt big and overwhelming. But at my aunt’s house, I was immersed in the beauty of nature using all of my senses." "Experiences that refresh our energies, calm our anxieties, and nurture our well-being are more accessible than we might think." Episode references: The Sovereignty of Good by Iris Murdoch: https://www.amazon.com/Sovereignty-Good-Iris-Murdoch/dp/0415253993 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3548: Emma McLaren highlights how starting new habits is much easier when life is calm, rather than during stressful, overwhelming times. Stress impairs executive function and memory, making it harder to establish lasting routines. By leveraging the path of least resistance, such as habit stacking or introducing positive changes during mellow periods, you set yourself up for long-term success. While it's always possible to make good choices, timing can play a crucial role in whether new habits stick. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.getmyrth.com/myrthblog/start-good-habits-when-youre-less-busy Quotes to ponder: "It’s easier to take up new habits when other stressors in your life aren’t so intense and when you aren't being pulled in several directions at once by a busy schedule." "That’s why we love habit stacking, which helps you leverage old habits to build new ones more easily." "It’s easier to make changes when life is calm, but it’s still possible (and healthy!) to make those changes when life is harder." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3547: Ali Cornish explores how investing in experiences rather than material things leads to deeper connections, personal growth, and lasting happiness. Shared adventures strengthen relationships, build character, and create memories that far outlive the fleeting joy of possessions. Research supports this idea: experiences leave a profound emotional imprint, shaping who we are in ways that objects never can. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://everthrive.org/blog/2017/3/1/experiences-not-things Quotes to ponder: "Experiences last longer in our memories than material items do." "We are the sum of our experiences, not our things." "Conquering tricky situations paves the way for potential opportunities to become better people, and becoming better people is the best gift of all." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3546: When spring arrives, nature bursts into life effortlessly, so why do our dreams stay locked inside? Ingrid Y. Helander explores how our fears and worries act as protective buds, preventing our true potential from blooming. By acknowledging and working with our anxieties instead of resisting them, we can finally step into the life we were meant to live. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ingridyhelanderlmft.com/its-spring-the-secret-to-make-your-life-dreams-bloom/ Quotes to ponder: "Instead, we usually keep our dreams locked up inside their bud well protected by a long list of worries and excuses." "If those summer buds on the trees worried about all the cold, wind, and bleakness ahead, we’d probably never have those fresh green leaves." "You cannot simply dismiss these worries. If you could, you would already be living your dreams." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3545: Rising from a frugal college diet of spaghetti and peanut butter sandwiches to a multimillion-dollar net worth, Mr. 1500 reflects on his journey to financial independence and the power of positive financial momentum. With multiple income streams, careful spending, and an entrepreneurial mindset, he highlights how early retirement isn’t about sitting idle but about creating more wealth, both financial and experiential. The greatest luxury, he argues, isn’t money, but the freedom to pursue meaningful work and a fulfilling life on your own terms. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.1500days.com/richer-in-retirement/ Quotes to ponder: "The greatest luxury in life is time. It’s hard to truly appreciate it until you have it. Or have lost it." "Just when I need money the least, we have more of it than ever." "Not working frees me up to do what I love. It just so happens that some of the things I love to do like building things and farting around with real estate have the side-effect of making more money." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3544: A “boring” routine might actually be one of life’s biggest blessings. Angelina Lee shares a powerful shift in perspective, how the little, everyday moments we often overlook are the very fabric of our lives. By learning to embrace the ordinary and transform our “I can’t” into “I can,” we open the door to a more intentional, fulfilling existence. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://exploringplanbe.com/oh-how-exciting-it-is/ and https://exploringplanbe.com/actually-i-can/ Quotes to ponder: "The little things that we prayed for once upon a time, but which, with time, we come to glaze over through the lens of familiarity." "It’s wonderful to have big things to look forward to, but we must always be careful that we don’t sacrifice the ‘now’ for the ‘when.’" "A great release came when I discovered that the only limits on the way that I live my life are the ones that I place on it." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3543: Eric Teplitz reflects on the pursuit of dreams through the lens of his own journey as a musician, drawing parallels between creative endeavors and the act of giving birth. Despite the heartbreak of his music career not unfolding as he had hoped, he embraces the experience with no regrets, emphasizing that the greatest risk is not trying at all. His story serves as a powerful reminder that while chasing dreams can lead to disappointment, it can also lead to growth, resilience, and a life well-lived. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://inspiredlivingblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/08/on-giving-birth-and-pursuing-dreams/ Quotes to ponder: "My personal opinion is that if there is a 'goal' to aspire to for this bizarre situation we find ourselves in called a human life, it might be to minimize regret." "Yes, pursuing your dreams is risky business, and could very well lead to heartache. But what about the heartache of being on your deathbed and realizing you never even tried?" "Giving birth to a literal child, a piece of art, or a new version of yourself is an act of courage." Episode references: The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: https://www.amazon.com/Top-Five-Regrets-Dying-Transformed/dp/140194065X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3542: Clearing space, physically, mentally, and emotionally, creates the foundation for real change. Kathy Robinson shares how decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things; it’s about making room for transformation. By setting boundaries, embracing mindful pauses, and practicing discernment, you can align your life with what truly matters and cultivate a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://athenawellness.com/blog/2023/3/1/how-to-create-space-in-your-life Quotes to ponder: "The whole purpose of creating space and reclaiming your time is so you can connect with your still point, a place of spacious calm where you can detach from your thoughts and emotions in a peaceful space of surrender and release." "The choices available to us are endless, which is why discernment is so important. It moves you to a place where you can begin to say no to what you don’t want so you can spend more time doing what’s fulfilling for you." "Make space in your life for the inevitable arrival of what you want." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3541: You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy. Heather Avery shares her journey from self-doubt and external validation to self-acceptance, highlighting how yoga, self-love, and a shift in perspective transformed her life. True beauty and happiness come from within, and by letting go of unrealistic ideals, we can embrace the fact that we are already enough. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/we-are-enough-and-we-dont-need-to-be-perfect/ Quotes to ponder: “You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” “I am not my weight, or my jean size, or even my yoga practice. I am enough. I am me.” “We have been brainwashed to strive for perfection. All this striving makes us miserable.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices