Zak: A fulfilling third third starts with finding personal love and connection
Valley Voices

After conducting research with dozens of people, I uncovered that they had not prepared for the third third of life in a way that was joyous, fulfilling and freeing. They had prepared financially, but felt “cheated” out of true happiness because of their myopic approach, wishing they had spent more time focused on their personal life, psychological and physical wellbeing, purpose and place, or the five Ps. I will start with exploring the “personal” zone in this column.
Science and data have demonstrated that humans strive for personal love and connection to make us feel whole and complete. And to have successful love and connection we should generate love-based emotions through positive energy with immediate loved ones and intimate friends, be part of a community that has similar interests and passions and explore spirituality that is based on your beliefs and values.
So, how happy are you with your romantic partnership? Do you have one? Do you want one? Is it time to work on an intimate relationship? These are a few questions to assess your current situation to design the journey of love, connection and be understood.
It’s a fact that people live longer if they are in a vibrant relationship, so it’s important to rectify any misunderstandings with family and loved ones now. It is freeing and helps individuals live a more connected and less burdened life. And data also demonstrates that people who share a circle of trust, a small group that would do anything for you, are imperative to longevity as well. Do you know who has your back at any time and would travel across the world to help you if needed?
Being a part of a community of similar interests is crucial for intellectual/physical inspiration, provides support and should not be overlooked. Communities provide an opportunity to interact with people and receive “positive” energy that humans need. However, groups and/or individuals that exude negative energy and unwanted drama should be removed from your life.

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Life is too short, and we need optimism to generate love and hope, not pessimism. And routinely trying something new, will keep us feeling relevant and feeling alive.
Beliefs and values are also key to success in this zone of “personal” being, ensuring that you are following your own principles and not those of others, such as your parents or society. Beliefs are not facts — but they do have a significant influence on how we engage in life.
If we pursue someone else’s beliefs, we are not living an authentic life. So, take a moment to ask yourself, are the beliefs that drive your conscious, subconscious and unconscious truly yours, because if they are not, they must change for you to be authentic. And, spirituality, driven by your beliefs, plays a critical part in creating joy, fulfillment and freedom, and needs to be “awake” to create the life outcomes we work so hard for during our first two thirds. In the next column, I will discuss the psychological Zone of Influence.