Is it really a new you? It’s interesting how we all get caught up with the end of year phrases such as ‘2018 will be my best year’, ’Out with old in with the new’ and so many others that we say to motivate ourselves to be better.

I believe in setting intentions and visualizing the life you desire. My concern at this time of year is the high expectations some people set without fully taking stock of where they are presently and what supports they will need to achieve their goals.

Many people will dismiss 2017 and move into 2018 saying it’s going to be a fresh start. However, there is value in building on the prior year. If you take a look at your goals for 2017, spending time reviewing them. The previous year is a foundation for what you will build in 2018.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

What goals did I reach and the ones that I didn’t, were they truly my goals?
What prevented me from achieving my goals and dreams?
What do I want to continue in 2018 that didn’t get completed in 2017?

By reviewing previous goals it’s easier to decide if the goal was something you truly desired or was it set due to external standards. Life has twists and turns, things happen that can shift your goals; life changes such as death, divorce, and illness.

When you examine the year before you can search for the lesson in the experience. What did you learn from the challenges you faced? What did you discover about yourself? The moments that were awesome, they teach us what brings us joy.

To become the ‘New YOU’, in the new year, means taking along the old you and tweaking some areas. The old you still works, it’s like a car, it needs a tune up and attention in certain areas. Spend some time giving yourself an overhaul before you focus on being a new you.

Appreciate the you that you are right now!!

Photo by fossiled

This year I am doing a switch on the usual ritual of letting go of people at this time of year.

Instead, I am thanking those individuals that left my life. The people who realized we were no longer a fit and they did what they needed to do by exiting.

See I am that person that will know deep down inside that it’s time to head on a new path, however I stay.

I stay because I worry what will they think?

I stay because everyone in our circle of friends seems to be okay with this person, so I try harder to make it work.

I stay because we live in a culture that promotes words like BFF and ride and die friendships.

Do I really need the Facebook or Instagram page that has 200+ friends that I don’t really know? Is my self-esteem tied to having an entourage? I know it’s not instead I worry about hurting someone’s feelings. Today a friend reminded me that the majority of people are lost in their own thoughts and world.

Thank you for leaving so I could be me and you could be you! It’s nothing personal, it’s a change of season and it’s healthy to move on.

May we all find the courage in 2018 to be like the people in our lives who moved on for their highest good, may we do the same for ourselves.

Cheers to 2018

That phrase is used often at this time of year and it’s usually accompanied with one of these phrases:

To be merry!
To be jolly!
To remember the less fortunate.

Every year during the Christmas holiday season, the question is posed, “why can’t this feeling last beyond the festivities?”

The season comes with the hustle and bustle of shopping, visiting loved ones and eating way more than planned. However, even in with all the rushed moments, there is a magical feeling of joy that is felt by many.

I believe the Christmas spirit demonstrates the importance of “being mindful of our thoughts” – it happens without thinking; we start to feel happy, and blissful during this time. Imagine what would happen if we consciously committed as a society to be mindful of our thoughts all year long, and connect to the feelings we experience at this time of year….the joyful ones.

It is important that we remember that feeling good starts internally and if we want to have the wonderful Christmas feeling all year round, it starts with us individually. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have sadness, or days that bring frustration and disappointment.

It’s a gentle reminder that we can choose how we want to interact with the world, smiling at someone, or saying hello creates a connection even if for a brief moment. That is what I feel is one of the magical aspects of Christmas, we talk to strangers, we wish each other a Happy Holiday and we smile more!

Let’s make 2018 a year of true connection, take the time to slow down and smile at someone during your day!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, let’s celebrate life all year long!