Being Me: Week 42

If you do not experience anything, it's impossible to gain knowledge. ~Chinese proverb 

Being Me: Week 42 - A mind that is stretched by new experience can never go back to its old dimensions

October theme: We can't become what we want by remaining what we are

We become who we are from our experiences. Whether good or bad, something we plan, or something that happens to us, experience shapes us into who we are. But when we always follow the same route, we miss out on opportunities to grow.

I often feel like I'm late to the game, trying to play catch up for years lost in grief and inactivity.... finally ready to understand my purpose and the meaning of life.

After years wasted on petty drama or useless thoughts, with grief pulling me under as a victim of loss so often I feared taking the next step. Eventually a dawning helped me recognize how staying still did nothing to save me. Experience could direct me, but I had to make a choice to wither or to grow.

While it is effortless to go with the flow, with no desire to disappoint, I knew I needed more. It was turning 50 that really opened my eyes, when I recognized the lack of growth, knowing our days are numbered. It was time to open up to the opportunities around me and discover what is important.

I love setting goals, I believe they are a constant measure of your aim in life. Ways to improve and change, learn and grow, goals build strength and confidence. And as 2019 comes to a close I realize like Glinda the good witch says, "You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself."

 Themes for each month to journal, create or contemplate on your journey

• January - The best time for new beginnings is now

1. Morning routine
2. Mission statement
3. Create your YES list
4. Goals, baby steps, tiny promises
5. Putting it in motion

• February - Before anything else, find yourself, be yourself and love yourself

1. Take care of your body
2. Meditation and solitude
3. Food choices and ideas for change
4. What makes you happy

• March - All you need is tea and warm socks

1. Enjoy the simple things
2. Letting go of thoughts and things
3. Both hands
4. Mindfulness (social media and smart phones)
5. Setting intentions

• April - Water your roots so your soul can blossom

1. Water and other things we need to grow
2. Time to blossom
3. The 3 R's
4. Forgiveness

• May -  The difference between a flower and a weed is judgment

1. Stop judging yourself and others (why we judge)
2. The grass isn't always greener
3. Love is the absence of judgement
4. Stop judging yourself if you don't want to be judged

• June - Believe you can and your halfway there

1. Believe in yourself
2. Believe in others
3. What thoughts have distorted our beliefs
4. Invest in yourself

• July - Bold stripes, bright stars, brave hearts

1. Integrity
2. Taking risks
3. Abundance
4. Let your light shine

• August - We are who we choose to be

1. Who do you think you are

• September - Sometimes we can learn and study & know, and sometimes we have to believe, trust and hope

1. What do you know to be true of you
2. Books that create thought
3. What holds you back
4. Trust yourself

• October - We can't become what we want by remaining what we are

1. Do the work if you want change
2. A mind that is stretched by new experience can never go back to its old dimensions

• November - Small seeds of gratitude will provide a harvest of hope
• December - Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of hope

 Mission Statement:  I will improve my overall health and wellness, use kindness and inspiration with a vision that creates  a community of giving and in doing so achieve my purpose in this life.   

Weekly post links