The New Year is a time of reflection and resolutions. Ellen Goodman writes that often “we spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.”

It is true that each of us are flawed, it’s part of being human. But what is more important is that we realize and embrace the unique and limitless potential that is alive within each and every on of us.

Our willingness to examine what we hold tightly
Opens us to possibilities
Our willingness to lean into the unknown with curiosity
Opens us to our vast potential

Alison

Our brains are constantly active, sending us a constant stream of images and thoughts as we try to make sense of our lives, the world and ourselves. When we examine ourselves we are often our own worst critic, daily judging and finding fault with our abilities and who we are. Over time if our negative thoughts are left unchallenged we risk beginning to define ourselves by our own negative thoughts, and thus begin to consciously, or unconsciously, limit ourselves.

Piero Ferrucci poses the following thought. ‘How often—even before we began—have we declared a task “impossible”? And how often have we construed a picture of ourselves as being inadequate?…A great deal depends upon the thought patterns we choose and on the persistence with which we affirm them.’

It is when we step outside of our “thoughts” that we can begin to venture into who we truly are.

Limiting ourselves is like shutting a door and finding ourselves in darkness. Yearning for light, we instinctively look for openings and in doing so we have begun to believe that the “impossible” is possible. We have taken a step outside of our limiting beliefs, and challenged our illusions of inadequacies. It is when we step outside of our “thoughts” that we can begin to venture into who we truly are.

Alison

There are moments in life that take our breath away. These moments alert us to the mystery and wonder of life, leaving us with a deep sense of awe. We also have moments in life that are jolting or shocking. They too take our breath away, and remind us of the fragility of life. They whisper to us that life’s moments are limited, and our life and our time together is a gift to savor.

Such moments may be experienced as a “collision with the infinite.” Moments where our conscious mind recognizes we are intertwined with the infinite, each of us unique, each of us meant to be, and each belonging to something larger than our self. Together we create the whole, a humble yet powerful awareness.

Reflecting on these moments can awaken us; perhaps call us to make a shift in our lives. We may find ourselves drawn in directions we have in the past neglected or taken for granted. Suddenly wanting to connect to what nourishes us, we bring the focus of our lives into the present moment. Here we realize just how much of our time has been spent wandering in and out of a trance. Our thoughts wandering through our past and future, tirlessly trying to relive, change and conquer our past, as well as dreaming, designing or carefully orchestrating our future.

The Universe will knock upon your door and offer you the breath of no regret. Are you listening?

When we answer the knock we are gifted with the opportunity to experience “now,” the moment when our life is real and unfolding moment by moment. Here, now, we find ourselves deliciously present and alive.

If you listen closely, the universe will knock upon your door and offer you the breath of no regret, a chance to embody life, your life, and live it with intention. Look within, find and live your truth, live your life fully. And when the moment comes for you to breathe your last breath, may it be the breath of no regrets.

Alison

The measure of a life well lived is an intensely personal belief, shaped in part by one’s family and one’s cultural norms, as well as one’s age and experiences in life. But for all the differences that may be found, there is also a vast number of commonalities. Our commonalities I believe are what nourish us as human beings, and our differences are that which teach us how to be human.

My thought for the day-

Our collective lives converge into a kaleidoscope of shifting patterns and colors; together we create beauty in motion. And yet it is imperative we take pause and appreciate ourselves.

We are each an important force in the health and well-being of our own life, the life of our communities, and the broader world. And when we each bring the best of ourselves forward, we create a breathtaking world.

As you move through your day, take care and honor your unique self.

Alison