Who will you be in 2021?
Sometimes I wonder, whatever happened to my sense of wonder and excitement? Do you ever feel like you are going through the motions of your every day life? Have you lost that magical feeling that anything’s possible? Are you still filled with angst about whether you are enough?
Most of us in our twenties have a drive and a hunger that is accompanied by a belief that we can change the world coupled with the confidence that we can do anything we set our minds to. At some point, that sense of wonder, and our confidence, gets buried in everyday struggles, deadlines at work, financial woes and day to day stress.
I’ve had a couple of days off, to myself. Time enough to slow down the usual frenetic pace of the 5:00 am wake up call, followed by the housekeeping chores that preoccupy me before going to work. My 8 km walks have become opportunities for me to discover new trails, and have afforded me time to think.
In reviewing 2020, amid the stories of global heartache and loss, I have to ask myself what have I learned from my own life experience this year?
Firstly, I continue to deepen my connection to my family, and notably, a thankful heart for Mr. Bill along with a puffed out chest with pride for the accomplishments of the children and grandchildren. A reaffirmation that family is everything. I am deeply grateful.
Secondly I confirmed my work ethic and that you really can teach an old dog new tricks. There are all kinds of ways to move an organization from paper to electronic that became necessary due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the global pandemic. I’m proud of these accomplishments.
Thirdly, I’ve lit a few entrepreneurial fires for myself. I’m super stoked. This blog being just one of them. I’m letting my inner child lead me in the direction of it’s choosing and trying my best to quiet the fear of failure that lurks in the background.
Get motivated to design a powerful 2021!
If last year was mostly about weathering the storm and grinding through, what actions can we take now to motivate us and to create goals that will excite us to our core ~ get up each day with the belief that our thoughts can become our reality?
We do not want to go back to the innocence (naivety?) of our twenties. Nor do we want to be fearful of new challenges, just because we are getting older. We want to prosper from our experience and stimulate our enthusiasm for new challenges.
Looking for inspiration? Here are three tenets I’m sticking with:
Who you are is perfectly fine! You don’t need to become someone else.
Firstly, to be exactly who I am, filter-free and trust that I will continue to act with integrity and kindness. If you operate with an open heart 24/7 you are always empowered. With that in mind, I’m just going to be me. I am enough for my family and for personal and professional relationships. When you alter who you are being or choose a life’s direction, based on someone else’s priorities, you are living their life, not yours. Trust.
Let it go already!
Secondly ~ I’m not going to dwell on the past. Any mistakes I’ve made (and I’ve made some doozies) have been opportunities to learn and to become a better person. I’m not going to get too caught up in the details of the future. I’m going to set my goals and my mindset with the absolute belief that these will be achieved. With this open mindedness, I can appreciate all of the beautiful moments as they unfold.
Self-Care ~ make a plan and stick to it!
Thirdly, maintain my focus on my health and well-being. Last year at this time I made a commitment to a walking program and to eating more mindfully. I started with ten minutes a day of walking and I focused on a whole food plant based diet. Those goals were a huge success and I feel SOOO much better. Taking my walk outside in nature, clears the cob webs and resets my equilibrium.
You get to choose what you want.
Above all I’m getting clear about what I really want. What speaks to me, excites me and embodies all of the qualities that I admire.
It’s never too late to realize upon a dream. I’ll be looking for every opportunity to learn a new skill that will help me contribute to my blog. I purchased a real camera 6 months ago and am taking a vegan online cooking course.
In conclusion, I consider the words of the great Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius:
“You have the power over your mind~not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength”.
Let’s take the journey together!
What will you manifest this year? Let’s take the journey to uncover that wild child that lives inside each of us, together. I invite you to share what empowers you!
~ Be bold, be authentically you!
~ Donna