Happy New Year…Pivoting Already!
For this first month of 2021, I had planned on offering a self-assessment that’s so easy, useful and illuminating that it changed my perspective on nearly every aspect of my life and still resonates years later.
I had also intended to write about how I’m a dancing fool and my desire for you to find your equivalent in all of its energizing and free –spirited feeling.
Lastly, I had hoped to share my thoughts about the movie Soul and how many of its primary themes are aligned with pillar concepts of my coaching work. It looks at the importance of being lit-up from the inside, because you’ve found your meaning and purpose and live it daily.
However, this month, I am setting those items aside for the time being, save for the self-assessment which will be my Valentine’s Day gift to you.
At this moment in our country, while there is so much transition and change on the horizon, and on the observance of MLK Day, I feel compelled to shift the original focus of this month’s post.
You may or may not know that I strive to rise above the gunky stuff as a daily practice. I have especially focused on doing this since March, when all of our lives changed so drastically due to quarantine and Covid-19. So, without getting way down deep, I feel it is necessary to acknowledge the foundation-shaking actions taken on the Capitol Building on January 6th. At the same time, today, January 18th offers us welcome contrast in the observance of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and this annual day of service, not a day off.
As a note, I am not attempting to preach nor direct anyone about politics or any “shoulds.” What I do know is that the greater good is what is key. And I strive for that, imperfectly, on a daily basis.
With that said, I am wondering…
What does this time mean for you? How are you going to be different? Or, are you going to be the same, and is that okay with you? Do you feel alright living baseline/ beige/mediocre; however you call it, in this moment or any other?
So I ask you:
What are you going to do to make tomorrow different…to have your unique and much-needed perspective and talents impact something or someone positively, for the greater good, small or large?
Know that when we make a positive shift within ourselves, it can be that personal, internal shift that is being of service and helping others. When we are better, those around us feel it and thus, they are better too.
We have experienced a lot in the past handful of days, months and years. We have been challenged in multiple ways and have been divided. Daily, in my meditations, I focus on unity and healing.
In honor of those guiding principles and Dr. King, here is one of his quotes:
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
In this moment of challenge and controversy, I ask you to consider beginning the positive ripple effect with yourself, today and every day.