The Gift of Being Alive

It is the beginning of another year. So many changes, so many opportunities, so many choices and when we are honest, so much time to deal with so many fears and anxieties. Just the thought of having to start something new – a new year – can drive some of us to frantic panic, hidden well by our daily routines. For some of us, a new year means a huge relief as we are able to leave behind the disappointments and anger of last year. And then there are those of us who have not yet decided or acted as if anything ‘new’ has happened at all. This is just another Thursday, just like all the rest.

These words from John F. Kennedy encourage us to leave whatever we have done in the past behind us. We are reminded to forge our own path, no matter who or what or how our lives have been before today.

CONFORMITY is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.
– John F. Kennedy – 1963

That seems like a very speech worthy concept, yet what if we did believe that by giving up our need to conform we could be set free? We could grow into the person we want to be, not the one our choices from the past few years have forced us to become? In other words, we DO have the power to control who we are moving forward if only we would change the way we think and the decisions we make each and every day. It is both liberating and exhausting at the same time.

Somehow, to choose each and every day to become the best version of ourselves, over and over and over again! In times of weakness, self doubt and utter exhaustion…choose to believe you are worth making the effort to change. In times of great success and personal growth…choose to be even more than your most wonderful achievement, pushing yourself to be better. In the low points, the personal loss and the financial woes…choose to give thanks and to continue to plant seeds for a future prosperity. And in those special moments when you actually are in awe of how truly blessed you are – in your life, your work, your place to live, and with the people you love – to know that the REAL blessing comes when you help other people find those same things.

You may already have given up on your New Year’s resolutions, after all, it is already one week into the new year, and your quitting can set the tone for avoiding that feeling of regret and less-than for the rest of the year. Most people quit their resolutions by January 7th…sad but true. You may not have even set any goals – why not do it today? It doesn’t have to be a new year, or the beginning of the week, the start of the month or a Monday. It doesn’t even have to be a goal you know exactly how to achieve…the point is to pick something and get started working towards it…no matter what. You will become a better you simply by starting and not giving in to the conformity that failure, setbacks and the daily grind can make you feel.

Let me encourage you to keep going, to keep growing, and to repair or rejuvenate those relationships that will help you be a better YOU. Help someone else to be better tomorrow than they were today. It is when we embrace conformity – doing the same things as every one else – THAT is when today becomes just another Thursday and we miss the gift of being alive.