Life style is a topic that I enjoy assessing.  Through the journey of life most people have the opportunity to choose a particular way to live. These choices are affected by a person’s philosophy of life, identity, perception, relationships, career, and circumstances. Some people are freer than others to choose the way in which they want to live their life at particular moments in time.

Everyone seeks to find happiness.  Each person has a vision of what that may mean.  This article is about inviting you to look at your current life style and what you desire to create in the future. How do you want to live and how do you desire to be perceived by others?

Many of you are familiar with local country singer, Zac Brown. His song “Chicken Fried” was number one in the country.  A few lines from the song have caught my eye and given me pause to reflect as a theme for this article.

Well I’ve seen the sunrise,

See the love in my woman’s eyes,

Feel the touch of a precious child,

And know a mother’s love.

And it’s funny how it’s the little things that mean the most.

Not where you live, what you drive, or the price tag on your clothes.

There’s no dollar sign on a piece of mind, this I’ve come to know

So if you agree have a drink with me

Raise your glasses for a toast

To a little bit of chicken fried.

I spend many an hour in my practice helping individuals and couples decide on the life style that they want. The pertinent decisions will vary based on age, relationships, children, careers, responsibilities, etc… What career will bring desired satisfaction?   How much money is needed and what is the cost in time, stress, and on relationships for those dollars?  Where does an individual or couple want to live?  Close to Family? Move kids? Public or private school for the kids?  Automobiles driven? Clothes and jewelry worn? Entertainment, travel, and recreation desired? Health concerns? And more.

What are your personal desires, needs, wants and goals?  What values do these factors reflect? How do they mesh with your partner, or potential partner? These are some of the questions that individuals, couples and families need to understand, communicate, and ultimately bring forth into a life style.

Thanks, Zac, for presenting an opportunity to reflect on life style and what elements go into such a choice.  Each person needs to clarify life style so that when the final chapter is being written the writer can raise a glass, look back and say, “Well done, you have lived life well” and have a sense of satisfaction for the way chosen – and maybe grab a bite of “chicken fried”!

Dr. Stathas is a Counseling Psychologist, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, in the Lake Oconee area. He is the Founder of the Stathas Life Development Center.  He can be reached at 706-473-780. Email: Stathas@plantationcable.net.  Web site: drstathas.googlepages.com. His blog: drstathas.com