7 simple and conscious lifestyle changes for a stellar 2015

As 2014 winds down, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on the events and feelings of the past year while looking ahead to an even better 2015. For us at Sunny Maui Condos, this mean an upcoming year that’s wholesome, sustainable and happy.

We’ve come up with 7 simple conscious lifestyle choices we truly believe will make your 2015 one to remember:

Be committed to creating a better environment

It can be as simple as picking up trash on the beach, or smiling at a stranger as you pass each other by. Small, simple actions like these add up to make a big difference.

Not sure how to start? First set an intention to make the world a better place. Before you know it, opportunities for positive and rewarding action inevitably present themselves.

Follow up with some ideas from Kanu Hawaii.

Take time for simple things

Maybe it’s a full minute each day of nothing but deep, conscious breathing. Or leaving your desk five minutes early at the end of the work day to watch the sunset.

There is great deal of joy contained within life’s most seemingly unremarkable moments. Take time to appreciate these moments — at some point you will begin to appreciate the miracle of being alive.

Stay in touch with people you love

“Staying busy” has become a lifestyle that’s often admired and rarely questioned. The core problem with being busy is that it tends to isolate you in world of self-absorbed things and activities rather than connections and relationships.

In 2015, we urge you to reach out to all the people you care about or people you want to get to know better. All it takes is a quick call, text or email just to say hi!

Remember: in the end, it’s the connections you make with others that have real lasting influence and power.

Be mindful of your words and actions

Start with yourself on this one. If you wake up each day with the intention to speak to yourself in a positive, uplifting manner, you will become a person who is positive and uplifting in thought and action.

Conversely, if you wake up each day and tell yourself all the things you can’t, won’t or don’t do, then you will become a person can’t won’t or doesn’t do anything.

Don’t believe us? Read Kamal’s inspiring story.

Take care of your health

This one is pretty obvious, but still important to mention. When your body feels healthy, you have a much higher chance of being happy and successful.

Being healthy all starts with eating locally-grown foods and exercising. If either of those things make you feel uncomfortable, you’re already on the right track — this means you know it’s good for you and you have fear of making a change.

Here’s a tip: start small. Set very modest goals, such as substituting one carrot for a piece of candy and taking a 5 minute walk when you’d normally be sitting.

Stick with that small commitment until it feels natural, then increase the challenge. Before you know, health consciousness will just be another part of your lifestyle — not something to fear and dread.

Let go of excess

Chances are you’ve got excess “stuff” in your life that takes up your time, attention or energy. It could be physical clutter in your house or activities you do — or even certain people you associate with.

Let go of the unnecessary and you create more space. This could start with a purge of your closets and garage and donating your clothes / toys / misc. to charity. Beside — your “trash” could end up as someone else’s treasure.

As you enter 2015, take an inventory of what’s important to you, and prioritize these things in terms of positive benefit. Then, let go of the excess. You’ll feel better, we promise!

Give as often as you can

Unlike what many people believe — you don’t have to have tons of money to give.

It could be an occasional afternoon of volunteering at the library or your child’s classroom. Or buying someone in line their coffee. Or sharing your expertise — whatever that may be — with someone who lacks the resources to learn on their own.

Giving helps people and it always comes back 🙂

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Just remember — these are only suggestions, not rules to live by. What’s important is that you are conscious of yourself and the world around you.

They say your outer world is a reflection of your inner world — and we say if you malama (that’s Hawaiian for “care for”) yourself, your environment and the people in it, you’ll enjoy 2015 with greater purpose, meaning and joy.

Happy New Year from Sunny Maui Condos!

We would be delighted to be part of your next Maui vacation. If we can assist you with planning your perfect Maui vacation, please contact our Sunny Maui Vacations’ team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or at 808-240-1311 Extension 21. Let us help you reserve your vacation rental condo in South Maui and assist you with island recommendations and activity planning through our in-house Concierge at 808-240-1311 Extension 71.

Photo credits: Denis Dore, Mark Faviell, Bill Devlin (1, 2), Trey Ratcliff, Leon, Jack Gamage, Kurt Smith, Alex Wright