As 2017 is coming to a close, I am excited for the start of a new year, and also reflecting on all that has transpired over the year. Quite honestly, as it seems that these are shared feelings with many people I know, 2017 was…challenging at times, and perhaps we could call it a “building” year. But yet, I remember conscious efforts that I have made and continue to do to remind myself how much has really gone on this year. For one, we had a baby! To further mahalo all of the experiences had in 2017, these next upcoming posts will highlight some of the lessons that I seem to have been a strong theme for me throughout the year.
A lesson that I continue to struggle with is balance. Balancing self, family, and the various roles that I play, and the various things we are involved in as an ʻohana. Reflecting upon this lesson, that I know will be a life-long marathon-type journey, I should also acknowledge that I took the leap and made changes in my life, and effectively impacted my ʻohana, to prioritize what we (my husband and I) felt needed to be prioritized: our ʻohana. I left a job that I enjoyed to take care of my baby and ʻohana. It was a difficult decision as I enjoyed the job that I was at, but also knew that I wanted to be home with my baby and care for my ʻohana. At the same time, I made this decision in taking the leap to pursue my goal of developing a business that I knew I wanted to pursue but did not yet know how that would take shape.
In the end, as in the end of the year since this is an on-going lesson, I think the lesson is this: live your life the way you want to live it and share your magic with the world. There are only 24 hours in a day. It is too easy to go through life where the days pass you by, you put off doing “x” ’til “when you have time,” or even just struggling day-to-day. Why spend the majority of your day working a job that isn’t where you want to be, or isn’t your fullest self of what you want to share with the world? Or perhaps this looks like sticking with your job because of “x,” but hustling outside of work to transition to that THING that makes your heart sing. Maybe it’s your hobby of doing some kind of craft, maybe it’s exercising, maybe it’s starting a side hustle? What ever it is, do it. DO. IT.
As a friend told me, “Dream. Ok, now dream BIGGER.” What ever your “it” is, another way to look at it may be to think about what your perfect day would look like. Does it involve eating breakfast? Exercising? Reading a book? Talking with a friend? Design your day for your ultimate happiness (and I can almost guarantee your health will improve because of it too!). What have you got to lose?
What is your magic that you want to share with the world? What is that “it” piece that is part of your perfect day? The wise and widely-discussed question (not my words): What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?