Reflecting on the week of MLK Day

Even though today is Friday, January 25th, I want to share a post with some relevant thoughts from this week six years ago.

​Today is January 21st, 2013. It’s Inauguration Day. It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It’s my daughter’s birthday. It is a beautiful, sunny day in North Carolina. But according to the radio this morning it is also “Blue Monday” known as the most depressing day of the year. The commentators shared that 21 days into the new year is when reality hits. Today is the day we realize we are already off track on our new year’s resolutions. The credit card bills are coming in and the indulgences of December are weighing on us. The weather is turning gloomy and there just doesn’t seem to be anything to look forward to.

This got me thinking. Is that where you find yourself today? I am actually leaning toward those more optimistic ideas that opened this post, I wasn’t feeling that way last week.

 I have found myself challenged by my vision this year. My list of goals and resolutions hasn’t wanted to settle into a clear vision and helping others do this is my passion. Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves?

I think the biggest problem with our new year’s resolutions is that we make them on January 1st and expect to dive right in. We come off the high of the holidays inspired by all the fun we have had connecting with family and friends.We find our selves a little hung over on January 1st, yet that is the day that we set our goals. I propose a new tactic. How about spending the whole month of January preparing our vision for the new year? Instead of rushing to make those resolutions, how about taking time to meditate and reflect? to pray and connect? I made some space in my life for that this weekend and it has made all the difference.
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Now that I feel confident that I have the right vision, I can make a plan. I am prepared to take the time to set the action steps in place, to break things down into realistic chunks that will build my confidence and sustain my progress.You can too. If you find yourself on the “Blue Monday” side of things today, take a deep breath, step back and assess. Each and everyday is a new opportunity. February 1st is as new a day as January 1st was. Have faith that you can take that first step on any day you choose.

Because YOU are WORTH it!

Heidi