The New Year has begun, which means change is imminent. For some it will mean a new gym membership and plans to reenergize their bodies. For others it will be an opportunity to gain a renewed sense of self and a chance to reboot their minds. Whatever the change may be and for whatever reason, let your passion take control. Free your mind and body of all the clutter that accumulated from the year before and begin the process of regrowth.
We are not defined by the things that have happened in the past. We are defined by what and who we are in the moment. That’s why every single thing you do, whether it’s brushing your teeth in the morning or putting gas in your car, needs to be done with passion. Even the seemingly insignificant moments can define you. They can determine your direction and prevent you from tasting the true splendors that life has to offer.
The year is young and true contentment is ripe for the picking. There is never a better excuse to ask for change in your life than right now. Too many times our ambitions are diluted by the perception that we are incapable of change. However, we are only incapable of change when we believe that we are incapable of change. Still, some people will never attempt it, but what they fail to realize is that even an attempt at change is change. Do not fear it – embrace it.
Your life won’t change the second you cross the finish line of your first marathon. It will change the second you decide to run for the first time. Your life won’t change when you finish your first painting. It will change when you pick up your first brush. It really is that easy. But you’re never going to grow if you don’t plant the seeds.
Let this New Year provide the perfect opportunity to progress in a way that promotes self growth. I don’t care if your past year was wonderful or horrible, because there is no reason this year can’t be better than the last. Remember to set goals for yourself, do everything with passion and proactively seek change.
A Long December by the Counting Crows is one of my favorite songs of all time. I always hearken back to this one specific line: “And the feeling that it’s all a lot of oysters but no pearls.” I always think, ‘I do get that feeling sometimes, but I just have to keep finding more oysters and hoping I get a pearl at some point.’ Luckily, I have always been able to find a lot of pearls. Honestly, every New Year I think about this song and remember, “It’s been a long December, but there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last.”
Running On Empty 