Creating with intention
“How strange that the nature of life is change, yet the nature of human beings is to resist change. And how ironic that the difficult times we fear might ruin us are the very ones that can break us open and help us blossom into who we were meant to be.”
Elizabeth Lesser
I was writing every day. Every morning. And I stopped.
Why?
I was afraid.
(Yep! Me. Afraid! Little known fact: I constantly battle a thin hum of anxiety. But that’s a different story, a different post. Back to writing.)
I was afraid I wasn’t good enough.
I was afraid my writing was missing the mark. I’d let a few rejections from publishers mute my enthusiasm. And I got tired. Other things because More Important. (Though what can be more important than telling your truth, I am not sure. Certainly not work. Or YouTube yoga videos.)
So in 2020: I’m coming back. I’m owning myself and my time like never before. I’m ready to take up more space. I’m ready to shove fear in its rightful place, even if it needs some coddling to move. This year, I’m not going to let anxiety drive the car. Not anymore.
Your turn: (Here’s where your pen comes in.) Tell me…
What are you returning to this year?
What are you letting go of?
What will you keep?
What mistakes have you made? I’m asking not to make you feel bad, in fact, I want you to celebrate them. Mistakes mean you’re going for it! Have regrets? Even better! Celebrate! You’re LIVING LIFE.
What will you move away from in 2020? What don’t you want?
Now. Get ready.
Celebrate what you’re going to create.
The projects you’re going to put into the world. The dreams that will manifest. The big move. The relationships you will nourish and cherish. A new business.
This time next year what will you be proud of?
And celebrate. Celebrate all of these things as if they have already happened. Imagine your enthusiasm and accomplishment. And rejoice.
Rejoice at this life you are living. Rejoice in who you are.
Rejoice in what you love and what excites you and what keeps you curious.
Rejoice in all of it, the ups and the downs.
Happy New Year.
Time.
You owe it to yourself.
Give yourself time.
Time to create, to explore, to dream, to vision, to get lost, to do nothing, to write, to play, to imagine, to be alone, to be with others, to meditate, to feel inspired, to remember, to reflect, to forgive, to move on, to set goals, to change, to grow, to rest.
Ten minutes a day at minimum.
An hour for yourself each weekend at best.
Schedule it.
Not only is time the best gift you can give yourself, but your families and communities will be better for it.
The places you set your attention grow.
Want more positive in your life? Focus on what’s going well.
When you notice your mind bending towards the negative, find something to be thankful for.
Look for the good and more good will come to you.
Would you do something ridiculous?
Ask for financial support?
Start your own business?
Tell someone you love them?
Write a book?
Throw an epic party?
Change careers?
Go back to school?
Move to a different country?
What if you didn’t fail; what if you fly?