Happy New Year
I am intentionally a day late writing to you this week. I wanted to make sure my little letter to you came on the first of the year. I wanted to celebrate the newness with you. I love January. The calm after the whirlwind of Christmas. The quiet and peace that the cold brings. The inability to do much but nest and focus inward. I love the mental power of fresh starts. The possibilities found in a clean slate. I am the girl who writes the goals, makes the vision boards, and creates the planners. So, of course, New Year’s, and all that it symbolizes, is especially fun for me.
Most of the time, resolutions capture the headlines and headspace at this time of year. We like to think of the things we want to change and garner up the commitment to make those changes come to fruition. But resolutions can be a bit onerous, a nagging, pesky way to bring your dreams to life. I much prefer the thought process that allows you to make the space for opportunities to find you. To prepare a path that leads to growth and new ways to say yes. To cultivate the skills, networks, or mindset needed to seize the moment.
The easiest way to open yourself up to seeing beyond what is is to simply be more curious. Ask better questions of yourself and others. Ask to expand your knowledge. Ask to gain understanding. Investigate when something doesn’t make sense to you. Look into the reasons behind something that frustrates you. Look for inspiration by going to new places. Break up the familiar by talking to people you don’t know. Slow down and truly listen to the stories all around you. Challenge your usual way of thinking by reading or listening to new ideas. Use your imagination. Combine information from different places to create something new. Pay attention to small details of your day to increase your sense of awe and wonder. Build your awareness of what is happening around you. Practice bringing yourself back to the moment to fully experience presence in your life.
Curiosity. Attention. Awareness. Presence. These are the things that transform randomness into serendipity. Possibility is the mindset that invites luck and serendipity into our lives. When we remain open to new experiences or outcomes, we naturally expand our chances of encountering the unexpected. It’s about seeing opportunity in everyday moments, no matter how small they might seem. It creates a kind of ripple effect that spreads out to all areas of our lives. My quote for this year is “it seemed impossible until it wasn’t.” What is possible for you this year? I believe you have the power to make amazing things happen.
Happy New Year, my friends.
