The New Year is upon us and with that everyone usually feels pressure to put resolutions out into the universe or set some dynamic goals that you must meet by a certain date or you won’t feel accomplished. After having an eye opening year in 2018, I have chosen to take a new path this path this year in 2019. My motto for the new year is “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey!” In this blog I will explain the meaning behind this motto.
Our lives are broken up into a few different primary categories that we try and juggle on a daily basis: Professional, Family, Financial, Personal, Home and Charity. In looking at all of these categories together it does seem stressful and often times to be honest, it is down right overwhelming. Let’s try something new this year and take a look at them on an individual basis and examine them from a personal perspective, instead of from the perspective of what you think the world expects from you or what you think you must achieve to make someone else happy.
PROFESSIONAL – Is your job a career or is it just a paycheck? Does it truly make you happy? Are you utilizing your skills where you are currently? Are you being held back by fear of change? No one can answer these questions, except you. There is meaning behind each and everyone. You see, your professional life should not be a punishment or a mundane task that you just “get through” each day. You owe it to yourself to do something that you love because that is when you will truly be successful! You know what your strengths are, what you excel at and what drives you. Put it to purpose.
FAMILY – Do you spend as much time with your family as you wish you could? Your family is the heartbeat of your world. They are your support system. Your vitality. The reason you do everything you do, right? But, my question to you is, do you recognize they are there? Or like most people, you get into a daily routine of just go, go, go everyday. Deadlines to meet, games to make, practices to get to, the list goes on. Are you keeping up appearances for the sake of appearances? I am here to tell you that you can not get a moment of time back, no, not one. Stop and smell those roses. Listen when your child is telling you that story for the one millionth time and I mean really listen, because that just might be the first time you really hear it! Take more family vacations and live in those moments. Eat breakfast together, take walks after dinner. Value your loved ones while they are here!
FINANCIAL – Are you over extending yourself for the sake of others? Do you have a savings account? Are you comfortable with your financial situation? Do you have financial planning? These are all important questions, well because we all know that it takes money to sustain our daily lives. Your finances should not control your life. They should not be the sole reason you live and breathe. Is it nice to have money and to be financially stable, well of course, but bottom line is that you can not take it with you when you go. Do not let it control your life to the point that it controls your life. Learn to be responsible in small ways, such as a change jar. It may seem insignificant, but by year end – that could be a bill you could eliminate or a mini get away! Or, if saving is just not for you, look into a 401k that can be automatically taken out of your paycheck and you don’t even have to worry about it!
HOME – This is your safe haven, your place of rest, ultimately your happy place. You should treat your home with the same respect it gives you. When you have a clean , nicely decorated space to live in, you will find it it actually good for your soul. Live in a space that makes you happy. Why would you not? You are literally there everyday! If you do not like that couch, change it. Don’t like the color of the walls, paint them! Don’t be afraid of change. You will be surprised at how much fun it is to change up your surroundings on a regular basis, but also how much better it actually makes you feel.
PERSONAL- THIS is probably the most important category of ALL because it is solely about you. How do you feel about yourself, your health? Are you happy? How much time do you spend on yourself each day? Each week? Let’s stop here for a moment. I want you to think about something for the next second.
“You only get this one life, this one moment, live in it.”
Now, I want you to take a deep breathe in, let it out and continue doing that from this day forward. CARPE DIEM!. Seize the day. Each day. That doesn’t mean following a schedule or if that is what makes you happy, then schedule on! Is there a challenge you have been putting off because you were to afraid to try? TRY! A Bucket List destination you have been wanting to visit, but didn’t think you deserved to go. GO! A race you have been wanting to run, but didn’t think you had it in you. RUN!
Make it a priority this year to make you a priority. You were not put on this earth to be unhappy. The world is a big, beautiful place, live in it. The happier you are on a personal level, the more successful you will be in every other category in your life. That is a fact.
CHARITY- This is one of my favorite categories and I hope it becomes one of yours ,if it is not already. Giving back does not always have to be monetary. Giving back can be as simple as kindness. A kind word, a smile, an encouraging note, or just a hug on a bad day. We should all be putting back goodness into the world on a daily basis. There are other levels of charity that are beautiful ways of sharing too, such as volunteering at a hospital or a nursing home or even a homeless shelter. Giving of our time is one of the best gifts we can give to one another. It literally does a heart good. If you are struggling with where to find somewhere to give back, go to a local hospital, church or shelter and they can definitely steer you in the right direction.
If volunteering is not for you, that is ok. The next time you clean out your closet, think about those less fortunate and bag up those items and drop them by a clothing drop off location. Or, next time you are at the grocery store, pick up a few extra items and drop them in the donation barrels at the front of the store. These are just a few other simple ways of putting some goodness back into the world.
The bottom line is you never know just how much your kindness may mean to the person on the receiving end at that exact moment. Be kind.
This is New Year, full of new opportunities in each new day. That in and of itself is an exciting thought! My wish for all of you is that you don’t get weighted down with things that are not truly important to you this year. My wish is that you live the life that you are destined to live this year and that you live it to the fullest! I would love to hear about your new year, so please feel free to leave me comments below! Much love to you all – XOXO – SheShe
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