Isn’t it funny how many times we do something we know we shouldn’t be doing, but we do it anyway? Let me give you an example. We know intellectually that a soy chai latte from the Coffee Bean is not the best fuel to put into our bodies, however we drink it anyway. Sometimes we justify drinking it by saying, “Oh…. well…I haven’t had one in a really long time.” Or even worse we say we deserve it as a treat. How can we say putting something in our bodies with no nutritional value and that depletes us is ever a treat? Ultimately, we know we shouldn’t be consuming it, so why do we do it?

As I pondered this I realize it all comes down to realizing our self worth. We will only give ourselves exactly what we feel we deserve. If we hold ourselves in low regard then it is easy to say that it is OK to accept anything less than the best. On the other side, if we hold ourselves in high regard we would only want ourselves to have the best that life has to offer. We wouldn’t see something that is less than the best as a treat. We would see it just the opposite way.

Wouldn’t it be so nice that one day you wake up and you only crave and desire the things in your life that really fulfill you? Imagine that anything less than the best no longer has any appeal at all. Imagine if someone was right next to you drinking a soy chai latte that it wouldn’t even phase you. You wouldn’t feel deprived, actually you felt empowered and free that something no longer had an effect on you. You knew that if you wanted it, you could have it, but you just don’t. The problem is so simple. All our bad habits and cravings would fall away because they wouldn’t be in alignment with how we felt.

If the problem is so simple, then is the solution just as easy? YES! We start seeing ourselves as who we really are underneath all those layers of habits and thoughts. We see the essence and we begin to feel love for all that we are and all that is around us. We give gratitude and love our habits and thoughts for they have taught us and given us contrast for us to grow. We see ourselves as unique aspects of God, and doesn’t God deserve the best? God doesn’t settle or rationalize. God knows what is best and you do too. You know you are capable of so much. Stop dimming yourself, it is time to shine by doing the things that we know we are deserving and capable of.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are we not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

I couldn’t have said it any more beautifully!

In honor of the upcoming new year I have been contemplating my life intention, direction, and challenges/opportunities. This morning I realized I am at a crossroad in my life. It is time to love the person I have been and time to embrace a higher version of myself.

I used a simple method of looking at my complaints and compliments that I expressed about others. In this indirect way I was able to see myself being objective and thorough. I know that I am all that I see in others whether I am complaining or complimenting.

Here is what I found I was complaining about in others. Then I changed their names to “I am…”

• a very sexually attractive person who feels a false sense of reassurance and self worth through displaying self in a sexy/ flirtatious manner.
• experiencing periods of attachment & insecurity
• frozen in fear & not taking action
• not claiming the life I know I deserve (self worth)
• inefficient use of time & talents
• wavering focus & direction
• too stuck in the head that I get locked in intelligence/reason mode that is squeezing the magic out from happening or allowing
• unlimited potential and the world unfolding before me, realizing I could have a commanding presence & really impact lives if I owned it.
• wavering on taking responsibility on where I am at.
• experiencing minor glimpses of lower levels of consciousness, yet highly evolved getting glimpses of a higher truth/ reality.
• understanding freedom & enlightenment
• passionate about growing, sharing and teaching as I learn
• a person with a huge heart
• a person with a desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives on a large scale

I then thought about the people in my life that I admire. I took off the names of others and changed it again to “I am….”

• present, conscious, self assured
• understanding & remembering my life direction
• knowing my presence is my gift
• a leader
• serving by holding my level of awareness. In doing so people find clarity in their own lives and raise their own consciousness so that they see solutions & change their own lives.
• the very best thing I can do is maintain this state of knowing consciousness & live in that truth.

This is my direction to master! I am reminded of the last phrase in Mother Teresa’s poem “Anyway” where it states:

“In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

I see myself very clearly right now and I am so thankful that through observing and enjoying my interactions with everything around me and that I am able to see the truth in my reality.

The people I am complaining about are opportunities to see if I am really done with that level of life. Have I really let go from the old to walk into new realms? How assured am I?

The people I admire are opportunities to see if I am really standing present and owning it simply, quietly, consciously with a knowing and freedom.

Am I ready to take the torch from my lower self and stand tall with a higher level of living. Can I incorporate it and saturate myself with such a presence that it emanates from every pore & action of my being?

Are you ready to stand in your knowingness or do you need to dabble in the “old familiar”. Are you ready to let go to move forward?

What more of a resolution do you need than to walk in your own truth? Enjoy your new year!