Happy New Year! The new year always feels like a blanket of fresh, untouched snow. It is perfect with endless possibilities. But the minute you step into it, it is no longer so perfect looking. Or to use the analogy from the first quote, the new year is like a blank journal waiting to be written in. It is exciting and full of possibility, but it is also intimidating. Whenever I start a new journal, I want to make the first entry really special. I don't want to ruin the beautiful, clean pages with anything less than perfection. But sometimes that stops me from writing anything at all. The point of having a new journal is to write in it, perfect or not. The joy of the new snow is to play in it, not to keep it looking pristine. So as we start this new year filled with hopes and dreams and resolutions for making this a better year than the one before, let's give ourselves permission to do whatever it is that our heart desires, knowing that it won't be perfect, and it might be messy. The joy of the new year is that it symbolically allows us to let go of the past and think of all the possibility in the future. It makes us think of how we would like to be living our lives. So don't just think about it. Do it! It might be risky, but the alternative is that you never create what you desire.
And have fun with whatever it is that you want to create. If you want to lose weight, (which I do), think about fun exercise activities that you like to do. Don't make it a misery. It can be an opportunity to create a great routine, get outdoors, dance, play sports or whatever it is that you like to do. Have fun planning delicious recipes that fit with your healthy diet plan. Look through magazines and cut out images of clothes you would like to wear and how you would like to look. And then start. Even if you make mistakes or fall off the wagon, you are moving in the right direction and get back on course.
Whatever you dream up for yourself in this new year, make it something that makes your heart happy and that will be a joy to work on. When it gets challenging, (and it will get challenging), you can remember why you chose it in the first place and that will give you energy to keep moving towards realizing your goals and dreams.
And as you embark on this new year, whatever you do with this year, do it with a spirit of fun! Make every interaction you have as happy as possible. Do your best to make your experiences joyful for yourself and others. "Leave a little sparkle wherever you go!"
Beautifully written Chantal. Thank you for such a lovely New Year's offering. Reminds me to GO FOR IT, with joy ,confidence and willingness to risk failing a little too. Xox. Happy new year, friend!
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