Resources To Enrich Your Life
By: Lori Thayer
Enrich your life. What does this mean to you? Enrich isn't a common word these days but there is a wealth of meaning behind this term. Enrichment can mean more material wealth but we are looking at enrichment as adding knowledge and meaning to our life.
Dictionary.com gives us these definitions:
-
to supply with abundance of anything desirable: to enrich the mind with knowledge.
-
to add greater value or significance to: Art enriches life.
Besides money, what do you want an abundance of in your life? Good relationships, happiness, or maybe health. How do you plan to achieve these things? They may require knowledge and you might have to work at attaining them. Doing so enriches your life.
It is easy to get wrapped up in our day to day lives and not take time for ourselves. Ask yourself what you are passionate about. What invigorates you?
Spend some time feeding your passion. Do you work in an office but really love to draw? Use your lunch break to do some drawing or carve out some time in the evening.
You may want to learn more about your favorite hobby or explore new topics. If having good relationships is important to you spend some time reading and learning about that subject. (I highly recommend the 5 Love Languages books!) There are many free or inexpensive resources available for learning. Look into these resources:
Library
-
Printed material - Find a book or magazine that teaches you something new.
-
Video - documentaries, learning programs from Discovery, PBS, History Channel, etc
-
Audio - Audio Books are a great way to enrich your life. Especially for those with very little time. Listen in the car on your way to work or while you relax in the bath.
-
Online – Most libraries now have digital items available. Look for books, audio or video. Some libraries are now even supporting digital book checkouts for your Kindle.
Classes
Want to get out to and take some classes to enrich your life? Check into these sources.
-
Free University – Your local community may have a resource for free or discount classes. Denver, CO has a resource like this at http://www.freeu.com. Does your community have one too?
-
Classes at your local library – Most libraries offer free classes in many subjects.
-
Classes at the local museum – The local art, nature or science museum will usually offer classes. Check there.
-
KhanAcademy.org – YouTube videos that educate. Currently they cover Math subjects mostly but they are adding on all the time.
-
Local Community College - Take a class at your local community college in a subject you are interested in. Philosophy, history, sculpture, there are so many options.
Other resources:
-
Audible.com – If your local library doesn't have the audio book you want you can get them from Audible.com.
-
iTunes U – Many classes are available for FREE from the iTunes University. They have over 350,000 free lectures available right now. There are even classes from prestigious universities like Harvard and Stanford.
-
iTunes Podcasts – You can also find podcasts on iTunes covering just about any subject matter. It isn't just for music and apps. Explore!
-
YouTube – You can find videos on just about anything you are interested in on YouTube, it can be a great resource if you treat it like one (and not just for entertainment).
What skill do you want to perfect? Maybe there is a hobby you would like to spend more time at, or a new subject you want to study. Share your ideas in the comments below or onFacebook.
Lori Thayer is passionate about finding ways to simplify and enrich life. She also shares tips on connecting more meaningfully with others. Bring order and calm to your home with her system, The Clean Routine.