There is something exhilarating about the start of a new year. It symbolizes a fresh start, a clean slate. It’s a time of reflection. What changes do I need to make this year to live my best life? I am someone who really embraces the start of a new year and is excited about the possibilities that the year will bring. What is funny to me is that nothing changes from Dec 31st to Jan 1st. Yes, the year has changed, but nothing physically has really changed. January 1st is just another day just like any other, but on this day, we feel that fresh start. We feel the possibilities that have been buried. We put the previous year behind us and allow ourselves to let go and move forward. January 1st has so much power!! What is sad to me is that in the days that follow, people start to lose that excitement. They make a commitment to eat healthy and when they drive thru Burger King a week later they feel as if they’ve broken that commitment and they stop trying. So often we fall back into old habits and when we do, we judge ourselves so harshly which only reinforces the habit.
It has been said that “old habits die hard”. Some people can break a habit over night, but most can’t. It takes time and recommitment. If you find yourself falling back into old habits that you hoped to change, the last thing to do is to stop trying. The last thing to do is judge yourself. That is where you will stay stuck. Instead, start again. Start over and over and over until you accomplish that goal. On a recent episode of Super Soul Sunday (my FAVORITE show!!) Jack Kornfield, a renowned spiritual teacher, said, “We as human beings have the amazing ability to be reborn at breakfast everyday and say this is a new day, who will I be?” I love that and it’s so very true! You don’t have to wait till next Jan 1st to start again. Let every single day be Jan 1st. Start fresh everyday. Recommit to your dreams everyday. Recommit to your goals. Know you are worthy and dream as big as you can. No little dreams in 2014. Shoot for the stars! What if you don’t get there? Well at least you can say you tried and you will have no regrets. What if you do? I’m shooting big this year – real BIG. Nothing is standing in my way. Join me…
