You got here.  You were selected to live this particular life at this particular time with these kids, these friends, these partners and the pain and joy that goes with it.  Now Jessica, you are 365 days post your decision to change your life.  What have you learned?  

1. Sometimes I’m wrong.  There is an awkward moment when you realize that your position/statement/idea was wrong.  Learn to be humble, admit your mistake and move on. 

2. It’s a lottery.  How did I get here? This life? These kids? I’m lucky. Yet, let’s not stand on our luck. Let’s help others be as lucky as us as often as we can. 

3. Embrace the s***. Yes, this year was a challenge.  But I faced my biggest fears and then crushed them with my running shoes.  Now it’s time for me to be there for you as you crush (and embrace) your fears as well.

4. Bad decisions make good stories.  Which is why I have so many stories. 🙂

5. Life treats us as we treat others.  Obvious – but obviously forgotten.

6. What you resist persists and what you focus on expands.  When I resist change, problems, conflict and my dreams – there’s nothing.  When I focus on change, solving problems, dealing with conflict and my dreams I have all I need. Carl Jung says that which we resist not only will persist but will also grow in size.

7. The gut should be the biggest organ in our body.  Ah, young grasshopper — have you not yet learned that when you ignore your intuition you are ignoring your soul?  

 8. Our attitude toward life will determine life’s attitude toward us.
I’ve shed those who think that the world is about them and they’re the only ones suffering.  Take a trip to Sierra Leone with OVP and you’ll see the joy people have with almost nothing.  This is life not about you – it’s about everyone else.

9. There’s not enough inspiration. The world has plenty of information but not enough inspiration. We use information to focus outward rather than inward.  If the inside is a mess, the outside will not be able to connect to the internet of life. 

10. Loneliness is different from solitude.  Wayne Dyer says that we can’t be lonely if we like the person we’re alone with.  This year I found some alone time.  I felt truly peaceful for the first time in a decade.  Try it just for a minute.

11. Courage is not the absence of fear. Even though we know that fear does not exist and that fear is only in our mind, we choose to be paralyzed by it and allow it to control our lives, our dreams, our goals and the level of our happiness.  FEAR is nothing more than False Expectations Appearing Real.  Let’s eat fear for breakfast!

So, now my friends, it’s your turn.  Let me help you as you’ve helped me.  And, let’s start with a cup of …….!

With all my love and gratefulness for helping me get to today.

XOXO