Great change is in the air. It’s not hard to see that there is something big brewing. Soon we will be gifted with a new year and a new president. Hope abounds.
I personally feel a change coming on as well. As I start public speaking again*, I have a sense that how I show up and what I have to offer is going to look different than it did a year ago. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I am certain that it’s going to be a fun and fulfilling ride.
In past years, I often focused my first newsletter of the year on evaluating the accomplishments of the previous year and then I’d offer some questions to ponder to help you create goals for the year to come. Today, I feel inspired to take you in a different direction.
Instead of asking you what you want to do in the new year my question to you is “who do you want to Be in 2009?”
Our culture has become obsessed with material success (and look where it has gotten us). In doing so, we’ve completely missed the point of what really matters. With the melt down of so many of our institutions we’ve been granted an opportunity to take a quick course on what really counts.
Lately I have been talking a lot about an insight that I had months ago that knocked me off my chair. What if your “life purpose” is simply to be joyful? Imagine the freedom you’d feel in knowing that the pressure is off and your “job” is simply to be happy?! What an amazing idea! In other words, what if reaching your potential had little to do with what you “do” and everything to do with Who You Are?
By focusing your efforts on being joyous (which I believe is your natural state anyway) you’d indeed achieve great things, but without so much of the suffering you’ve become accustomed to. Actions would be inspired from your heart rather than motivated by guilt or fear. Ironically, the outcome in turn, would be more joy.
So thinking about the fresh slate before you – who would you like to BE in 2009? My personal theme for the New Year is “Joyful all the Time in 2009” (what can I say…I like things that rhyme. Last year’s theme was “Meditate in 2008”).
I dare you to throw out your endless lists and goals and to pick an attribute or two that you’d like to “embody” in the next 12 months. Now, imagine what you and your life will look and feel like as you embrace and become that attribute. Feel the power of consciously choosing who you are, how you show up in the world and in turn offering the gift that is YOU (and what an amazing gift you are!).
Please take a moment and tell me who you want to Be in 2009. I promise to hold the space for you to fulfill that intention. I have a hunch that 2009 could be your best year ever!
Have an empowering month!
Carole
* I invite you to join me at the Chicks Who Click Conference in Boulder, Colorado on January 10th where I will be the keynote speaker. www.chickswhoclick.com