2017 the Year of Refinement

Come on a journey with me this year.  I declare my mission to live 2017 differently.  I sometimes have a false belief or expectation that causes me to live on this planet as if everything is going to be perfect, but this is a planet of refinement. Refinement means people, myself included, are going to make mistakes; people are going to not do the right thing; not live up to expectations. But, it also means that is okay.  Refinement is growth; it's sorting out what's working and what's not; it's letting go when a thought pattern is holding us back or keeping us stuck.

This morning I went for a walk in the woods and then directly to church.  Ordinarily, I'd change my clothes, but didn't have time.  I was very tempted to keep my coat on during Mass because everyone was dressed up, except for me.  My internal guide said no - take it off.  It's what I'm working on--accepting what is every moment and not judging myself.  Who cares if I have hiking boots and workout clothes on? If they do, why should I care?  Plus, it's all in my head, it's my desire to be perfect, to meet expectations.  I'm not perfect, I misjudged my time, but I am here where I want to be.

The advantages to living on the planet of refinement are threefold:
1. We get to set any goal we want and work for it.  We fall off the diet/workout wagon, we blow up at our partner, we screw up a project: learn from the experience and continue; no time for stewing.  2017 we say no to self doubt, self criticism, and negativity.

2. Mistakes are good. Ben Franklin said, "I haven't failed.  I've had 10,000 ideas that didn't work."  Thomas Edison said, "Of the 200 light bulbs that didn't work, every failure told me something I was able to incorporate into the next attempt."  Carry that perspective into 2017.

3. Focus on you. Our happiness has a ripple effect as well as our energy when we are depleted. When my kids were little, I called 5:00pm the bewitching hour. I'm exhausted, my patience is spent, I'm trying to make dinner; and somehow the kids sense it and chaos ensues.  Finally, I started taking a mommy time out around 4:30 and things smoothed out.  To meet the challenges on this planet of refinement we must take care of ourselves. 

The first leg of this journey of refinement is 100 days of self care.  Why self care?  Honestly, it's because there is so much I want to do this year and I will get easily burned out if I don't.  The less personal reason is how well you take care of yourself is a clear indicator of how positive you feel, your self confidence, and gives you so much energy.  When you feel good, you treat others better too.

Yay for 2017! I am full of excitement.  

Love,
Julia