Sometimes a new year arrives, and I barely acknowledge it’s the start of another 365 days. I think that happens as you get older.
As a teenager, I spent a lot of New Years Eve’s or New Years Day’s geeking out mapping out my goals for the year. Big nerd. …. Like – I’m talking, it was like an art project, and sometimes I was in high school and I busted out colored pencils and glue sticks and God knows what else. I could draw the US National Team crest perfectly, and my autograph was on point. But I took on no shame. It was a creative expression, begging to be released and it set the tone for what I wanted to accomplish short term and long term.
I guess you could say I was doing vision boards.
But at some point, I stopped. Maybe when I stopped playing.
Maybe I stopped believing –
Maybe I didn’t want anything quite as badly –
Or I didn’t love anything just that much –
Maybe I grew cynical, and shorted myself on the power of personal manifestation.
I’m unsure.
But here’s what I do know – we are at the start of a new year, and I’m remembering that little girl, full of big dreams, belief, and willingness. I’m remembering that we do have the power to make our lives whatever we want them to be. And while I have a list of how I want to improve professionally, and which direction I want to take my life, I have another list. A list about how I’d like to interact with the world in 2019. Because in 2017 and 2018, I got a little sidetracked.
I think it’s a pretty solid list – and maybe you can join me in its practice.
(Sidenote – this is how I write to myself – in “you” sentences. Might seem a little weird. But, I’m under no illusion that I’m not a little weird. …It works for me.
Also, I swore I’d never make “a list” because it seems uptight and confined, and unruly and outside the lines is more my style, but here it is…)
1. Do what’s right for you –
“Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.” No one will do this for you – you’ll have to do it for yourself. Life is full of distractions, and opportunities to treat yourself poorly, or do things that aren’t in your best interest. Sometimes those things feel good, or right, or interesting – sometimes we do things we don’t want to do out of fear. In times of question, ask yourself, is this appealing to my ego or my spirit? If it’s about your ego, just know that it’s not what you’re seeking. It’s not fulfilling, it’s not meaningful, it doesn’t last, and it’s usually misguided.
2. Stop Comparing –
Comparison is the killer of joy – your timing is your timing. Your journey is your journey. Trust that, knowing that everything is perfect timing for you. The story of your life, is yours alone, and everyone has a story.
3. Keep it real –
Say yes, when you mean yes, no when you mean no. And no, is sometimes a complete sentence. When you sacrifice your authenticity it hurts your soul – you know this. Don’t do it.
4. Waste no time or energy on things that bring you turmoil or leave you feeling icky. Just move on –
Your instincts have proven to you time and time again that they are trustworthy in their discernment.
5. Follow your curiosity –
Not everything needs to have a purpose. If something makes you curious, explore it. And let yourself be bad at it! You have to be bad, before you can be good. And if you stay bad, but enjoy it, then be secure enough in yourself to choose joy over ego.
6. Surround yourself with good people –
By good, I mean real. Back to “Keeping it real, 2019.” People with good boundaries – people you can trust – loyal people, empathic people, kind people. People who understand that their story isn’t your story, and therefore it cannot be judged. We don’t know the answers for others – we barely know the right answers for ourselves.
In 2017 and 2018, you made the mistake of thinking unhealthy was interesting. No – it wasn’t interesting, it was just unpredictable – which you misunderstood as interesting. And it also seemed challenging, which seemed exciting. The key word being, seemed. Crazy isn’t interesting. Unpredictable isn’t interesting. You deserve better.
7. Treat yourself the way you would treat someone you love – And only allow that in your life.
People who cheer for you, people who care, people who encourage and uplift, and who show up. You give that to those that you love – there’s nothing wrong with asking for it in return.
8. Don’t let fear be the director –
If you stop, freeze, or run because you’re fearful of some terrible outcome – or fearful you’re not worthy or good enough – do it. That’s not a valid reason to not do it. It’s a lie that keeps you from living a full life.
9. Continue to put yourself out there –
Take risks. Meet new people. Try new things. It’s too easy to get complacent.
10. Keep working on yourself through awareness, honesty, and practice –
Change doesn’t happen through behavior modification, change happens within, and as a result your relationships and your life change.
Warrior Soccer Training 