2012 was a blur for me, a magnificent collage of
opportunity, risk-taking, discovery, self-evaluation and change. I simply want
to share some thoughts that come to mind as I reflect on a huge year of loss,
gain, happiness and despair. Throughout it all love and caring is at the core. My
wish for all of you is that you can look back on this past year, see the good,
and be inspired for the beginning of the new. Some New Year’s thoughts that may help guide you upward,
onward and make 2013 pivotal in your life…
Know in your heart that personal change is possible. It
requires work, determination and a strong confidence in your own abilities. No
one but you can do it and ultimately you will need to take responsibility for
all consequences in the process.
Look at the individual tree you want to climb rather than
the forest surrounding it. One of
the largest obstacles to reaching a goal is taking on too much and then talking
yourself out of doing anything.
A setback is only a speed bump, not a failure. A significant
life-change will not be easy nor should it ever be taken lightly. If it were
easy you would have achieved it long ago. Evaluate, learn, re-set and get back
on track.
Hear your inner voices. There is one on each shoulder. One says yes you can, the
other says no you can’t. There is a beautiful, complicated brain in the middle
that will process it all if you let it...sometimes all night long. Always
listen, weigh all arguments and be true to yourself.
Regrets are a waste of your energy unless they trigger a
call to action that improves your life, your connections with people, all the
things you care about. Look forward, guided by the past, but not ruled by
“should haves”.
Judge yourself with kindness with a focus on reality. Never
let others define what you should be, what you should do. Fear of judgment and
criticism can paralyze us. It can destroy creativity, kill dreams and
essentially prevent us from tackling anything that makes us vulnerable.
Surround yourself with good, positive, affirming people that
care about you. There are people who inspire growth, and people who destroy
dreams. Be one of the former and choose whom you spend valuable time with
wisely.
In closing out December 31st 2012…
This year let’s all be kind to others. Find the good within
the bad. Filter your thoughts before you pass them on. Realize a simple word,
gesture or deed can either lift or crush someone’s day. Intentionally, or
not. Be the one who inspires
greatness when moments are low.
My wish for you: Get closer to your dreams in 2013 and take
the world along with you!
~ Kari
