January 2-2103 Possibilities!!

Starting fresh, a blank slate, new beginnings~

    So it's been said, just do "something". Something is better than nothing.  Start where you are-look around and begin with the most immediate. Set realistic goals, but DO set goals. Speak kindly,compassionately to yourself along the way-its baby steps first, gotta walk before you can run. Celebrate even the smallest of victories. You can move a mountain one stone,one pebble at a time.It's about the progress, not perfection. And reflecting on the positive effort creates its own reward. Feels good to do good. Internalize the experience,making real the benefits-ie when you make right choices, right outcomes happen and that feels wonderful! Keep your eye on the why! Why are you making these changes, working toward a better you, better life, better family and more. Consider a mantra to focus a wandering mind.." I AM letting go of the past,making a good life today". "I am releasing all stress,breathing in healing energy" I am deserving of joy and open my heart to possibilities. I am strong,capable and confident in my choices today.  For those who are Christian, perhaps a piece of scripture....  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"..   Use these mantras when work seems monotonous, when you feel discourage, when you feel negative mind chatter creeping in seeking to undermine your forward movements. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, first for 15minutes, or half an hour, an hour, half the day or whatever seems doable. Take a break to renew body and Spirit, then start again. One day at a time, then the next and the next. Once heard it takes 90 days for habit to really 'take'. To develop behaviors that become 'habits'. See it through for the full 90days. If the ball drops for a day, get back up without consternation or self flogging. Beating yourself up, talking badly to and about yourself only serves to squash the initiative and batter your budding new 'muscles'. Trying new skills, new behaviors, involve using 'muscles' and pathways you've maybe not actively used intensely before. It might be uncomfortable at first,but push through it and allow those 'muscles' and skills to mature. Share the 'adventure' with someone you trust. This provides not only peer support, but accountability. When you bring something out in the open, especially w hen it's down on paper, it becomes more real and invites more sharing. Talk about it with friends, trusted allies, ask for help when needed-even if it's just a hug, or a nudge to keep going. Avoid temptation to stray, to  backslide or divert into 'dangerous territory'. If it's food,spending,gossiping,cleaning, sex,gambling or whatever leads you into 'temptation'-just avoid that street all together. Do go to the barber shop if you don't plan on getting a haircut. If you know certain things, places, or people take you down-mentally commit to creating a suit of armor-so even if you must be go to that place, or be around that person, you can protect yourself from toxicity, or from the magnetic lure to self destructive behaviors. That's where your mantra comes in handy again. Remembering the WHY you believe in the changes you are making AND you must believe whole heartedly. IF this is all for someone else, to appease someone else, it isn't likely to mean as much. It's YOUR life, YOU create your own reality with every choice you make-for better or worse. Each choice brings us closer or further away from the person we want to be, from the dreams we want to become tangible. And most importantly if there comes a time, you feel you are in need of additional help,regardless of all best efforts, just know that asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness. There is freedom in embracing our brokenness and giving up the illusion of 'having it all together'.Sometimes when we are brought to our knees and start looking up, reaching out, we find an unexpected hand from a 'friend' we never knew we had. My wish and prayer for you, for me, for all of us, is that we can join forces, and connect more, elevating the spirit of  compassion,kindness, generosity, gratitude and love of fellow humankind.It starts with the heart, it starts with me. It can start with a smile-an invitation to more. Grateful for new beginnings today~