On occasion, I've had the privilege of living a "perfect day." It's not often, mind you, but imagine, if you will, a day like this...

You wake up feeling relaxed, and even a little excited about the day ahead. You try out a new method for brewing your morning coffee and it turns out pretty good; not perfect, but you note a couple tweaks to try the following day. You take a quick stroll in the cool morning air, and notice how quaint the neighborhood playground looks when the sun hits it just that way. Then you start on your to-do list, which begins with the simple item, “Be grateful.”

You navigate the challenges of the day with poise and decisiveness. Your lunch might seem ordinary to some, but you take a moment to enjoy the particular crunch of the cucumber in the salad that you garnished with delicious cherry tomatoes from your own container garden.

When evening comes, you're satisfied with your progress on a couple of important projects and goals. You reflect on what you learned, before having an enjoyable dinner with your family or a friend. You spend some time with your kids or maybe your favorite hobby, have a quick phone call with a loved one, then sit up in bed to read the first chapter or two of a new book you've been looking forward to starting. You lay down to sleep in confidence that you'll get plenty of rest to feel good again for the next day's adventures.

Your perfect day might be a lot different than mine, but I'll bet a lot of the feelings and motivations would be the same. And that brings us to the philosophy of living big. For me, it's not about having a mansion with a butler named Jeeves (although that would be cool!) It’s about squeezing every drop of joy, growth, and fulfillment out of life.

Here are some ways I've found to do just that.

Stop and Smell the Roses (Literally and Figuratively)

Living big starts with taking a moment to appreciate the little things. When was the last time you really looked at a rose? Not just glanced, but actually noticed how vibrant the colors are, how intricate the petals are, and how delightful the fragrance is? That’s the kind of attention to detail I'm talking about.

Imagine you're on a walk, and instead of rushing to burn those calories (or to beat your previous walking record on your fitness app), you stop to watch a squirrel perform its acrobatic feats on a tree. Living big means allowing yourself these pauses to drink in the beauty of the world around you.

Chase Excellence

Personally, I find I always live bigger when I'm actively pursuing excellence. Living big is about pushing yourself to be better, faster, stronger—not just professionally, financially, or physically, but in every facet of life.

My problem is remembering that excellence isn't just about reaching a goal successfully. It’s more about the journey. It’s about trying new things, failing spectacularly, and then laughing at yourself while you dust off and try again.

Crafting Epic Tales

Imagine telling your grandchildren stories that start with, “I once binge-watched an entire series on Netflix in a day.” I wouldn't say that's exactly legendary material. Living big means cultivating experiences that are worth telling.

The thing is, epic tales don't come easily. They usually take a lot of work. Some of them aren't even enjoyable while they're happening. (Although if you find yourself delivering newspapers in a cloudbuster lightning storm, laughing like a maniac will help your mood at the time and sure makes for a better story!)

Epic also can't be predicted. Things we plan to be epic often turn out kind of "blah," while the most ordinary experiences can sometimes turn into something special. That's why it's important to always be ready, and live life in a way that attracts "epicness."

Go on that impromptu road trip with friends, even if it means getting lost and eating gas station nachos. Volunteer for that community project, even if it means waking up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday. Help your son build his perpetual motion machine, even though you know it will never work.

These are the moments that make life rich and stories memorable.

The Balance Beam of Life

Now, don’t get me wrong. Living big doesn't mean burning out. I like to think of it like a seesaw. On one side, you have the roses—those moments of tranquility and appreciation. On the other, you have the relentless pursuit of excellence—those intense, exhilarating efforts. And in the middle, you have you, balancing with grace and occasionally flailing your arms because, let's face it, life’s a bit wobbly sometimes.

Embrace the Mess

Finally, I've had to come to grips with the fact that living big isn't about perfection. This was tough because I prefer an orderly life. But you can live bigger when you embrace the messiness of life with a grin and a shrug. After all, sometimes the roses have thorns, excellence can be exhausting, and not every experience will be fulfilling.

But through it all, living big is about choosing to live with intention, curiosity, and a dash of humor.

These are the things I try to remind myself of whenever I find myself racing through life. If I can just remember to stop and smell the roses, chase excellence with a passion, and fill my days with stories worth telling, then living big actually seems to just happen!

Remember, living big is about making the most out of every moment, and finding joy in the journey. I pray you find joy in your living-big journey, too!