“Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: I’m with you kid, let’s go.”
-Mary Angelou
It’s a brand new year. 2014. I love the New Year. I love a fresh start. I love setting new goals. I love to dream big dreams. I have a vision board with my goals on it that I keep on the wall next to my bed. I look at it everyday. I have around 20 goals listed on that board. I accomplished about 1 and 1/2 of those goals this year. I had to laugh. I did try though. I admit that I wish I tried harder to achieve some of those goals. But, I realized that I am still trying to achieve most of them, so that is what matters. As long as I don’t give up on them, or myself, then I will succeed.
There were times when I dreaded a New Year. I was so scared of what a New Year might bring. I would “What If” think to myself all of the bad things that could possibly happen in the upcoming year. What if someone gets sick, what if our job goes under, what if I lose someone else? It’s a terrible way to live. The truth about life is, there will always be times of uncertainty. Times of trial. Times of sadness. Times of despair. Times of suffering. Times of grief. Times of illness. Times that will test you. But the other truth of life is, during those times, when the darkness consumes you, a silver lining will appear. It’s always darkest before the light. You will become a stronger and more capable person from the trials that you experience. You will see the blessings that can come from holding on and pressing on. You will come to see that there is more good in the world than bad. Your faith will grow. Your confidence will grow. Your love for others will grow. Your gratitude for the simple things in life will grow. You will see what is truly important in life, and then you will realize the importance of living each day, in the present moment.
Life is an adventure, meant to be lived to the fullest each day. This new year, look for your silver lining no matter how small it may look. Take life by the hand, and lead it to where you want it to be lead. Press onward. Serve more. Let others serve you more. Love more. Laugh more. Play more. Find your purpose. Make new friends. Do something you have always wanted to do. Live fearlessly. Learn simplicity. Be more humble. Eat healthier. Exercise more. Set goals for your job. Think abundance. Believe in yourself. Believe in others. Look for the good. Be a better friend. Be there for people when they need you. Go out on a limb. Dance when no one is watching. Live for now. Learn patience. Seek for peace. Remain focused. Be the best you, that you know how to be. Be honest. Learn to be assertive. Don’t put too much on your plate. Let go. Go out into the world, and find Adventure this year. Choose the happier path. Weed out the negative in your lives as much as you can. Find inner peace, and stay in it. Your life is a blessing. No matter where you are in life, seek ways to improve upon yourself this coming year. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t accomplish every goal you set. Just keep trying. A person can never fail, as long as they are trying. You are the only you that there ever will be. No one is quite like you. You are your own adventurous self. Find your adventure this year. Life is waiting for you. Take your magnificent self, and get going, a wondrous New Year awaits.
Hope On. Journey On.
Jenna