The resolution phase of the New Year is vastly uncomfortable for me – because, to be completely honest, I historically fail at keeping true to proclamations made in champagne-induced celebratory mode. So this year, I thought long and hard about what, if anything, I wished to resolve, and I came up with about 14 zillion ways that I can promise to improve myself.
I need more organization, more discipline, less laundry, less stuff, to lose ten pounds, to use less chemicals, to eat more kale, to eat less dairy, to take more vitamins, to drink more water, to vacuum under my couch cushions more frequently, to spend more time decorating, to spend less time on social media, to spend more time on me, to take time off more frequently, to use my time more wisely, to not be so hard on myself, to not be so easy on myself, to eliminate negative people, to be more positive, to show more gratitude, to read more books….that’s not even half of it, y’all.
I also listened carefully to find the intention behind the resolutions of other people in my life and on my news feed. What I found was that many of them were tinged with a hint of the same thread that underlined each of the potential resolutions I could have made.
And here’s the common thread I uncovered – we use the words “more” and “less” to define what we need to change about ourselves more than any others. I find that with each statement I make regarding what I need to increase or decrease, I am proclaiming something to my Self about what I actually believe is my truth – that who I already AM is not enough.
If that rings true for you, as well, then I hope you can join me in claiming 2016 with one promise to yourself, the same promise that I am making. The promise I know will be the most difficult one I will ever learn to keep – that I am enough. I have nothing to prove, I have no one to impress, the negative things I have allowed others to project within my psyche are not my truth. I am allowed to fail, I am allowed my idiosyncrasies, I am allowed to be imperfect, my divinity is my truth simply because I AM.
Worth is not earned. When I am hurt by the actions of another, it is NOT because I earned it. It is because another has failed. When I hurt another, it is NOT because they earned it. It is because I failed. And failing is perfectly OK. My job is to love and forgive and protect my Self and those I love to the best of my ability. I am allowed to extend forgiveness while also disallowing people in my life who are traveling through a different segment of life’s spiritual journey. And I have the ability to do that. Because I am ENOUGH. We all are.
I have no plan to offer you to make this happen. I have no magical list of life-changing tasks you can implement right now that will CHANGE YOUR LIFE or MAKE YOU HAPPY NOW or ELIMINATE NEGATIVITY IN 60 DAYS like many of the articles I read promise. The path I have chosen is simple in explanation and superbly complex in practice – I discontinue relationships with anyone or anything that enhances doubt in my feelings of worth, and I grow deeper in relationships with those who enhance my belief that I am spiritually valuable. Then, I allow those who nurture my soul to see my vulnerability and love me anyway. That’s it. And that’s everything.
Here’s hoping 2016 is the year we learn to perfectly love our imperfect Selves so much that we never question our value to each other or to God. Wishing us all the happiest and most peaceful of New Years.
Xoxo,
Lindsay