“Be so busy loving your life that you have no time for hate, regret or fear.” (Unknown)
Good morning friends, and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all! Don’t worry, this isn’t a super long blog post about how, now the clock has ticked on and we write 2020 instead of 2019, that we’ve left one year – one decade – behind and started a new one, we should all change our lives and become something new, different, more. Rather, this is a post in which I simply want to say…
A new year is a funny thing. It might be a cliche, but it is indeed an excellent time to get rid of the old and start with the new, to stop and think, to set yourself challenges and to do things a little differently. Of course I know that we don’t need a new year to make a new start, we can choose to do that on any day of any year (I find a birthday is a good opportunity for setting goals). But if you need a little push or some encouragement, then now is probably the number one time to get it done.
If no-one has told you these things yet this year…
No matter what is or isn’t happening around you, make an effort to find your own peace and happiness in 2020.
Do your best to not be defined by anything other than what you choose to be defined by. Be yourself and learn to love that.
Spend lots of time outdoors in the natural light and fresh air, learn about our Earth and what you can do to protect it, and show kindness to those you meet.
Find and develop your passion and do something every day towards realising your dream – whatever dream that might be.
Don’t worry about what year it is, your age, or any other number. Instead, do your best to enjoy something about day you are having today and every day.
Remember that it is not too late. You can start again, do something different, learn, practice, change, move – if you need and want to.
Take time to savour each day, each view, each moment, and make it count.
None of this is about being selfish or arrogant. It is about acknowledging that if we each start with ourselves, being positive people full of love, care and drive, then the world will become a much better place as a result. Our part can be small, as long as we mean it.
I genuinely hope you are looking forward to a truly great 2020, with lots of happy days and smiles, some awesome experiences, cool adventures, and maybe a few interesting twists. Whatever it is you have planned, or whatever the year throws at you, grab life with both hands, do plenty of what makes you happy, and pay attention to the little things that you can do to make the big things happen. Celebrate, love, laugh, smile. Change if you want to, dream your biggest dreams, be bold and have an adventure.
Life is all about the journey. Let’s make it a good one!
Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me over the last 12 months, in person or online, it means a great deal that people are actually reading this stuff I write.
(And don’t worry, I know it’s all been a bit philosophical over the last week… the proper outdoorsy content will return tomorrow!)