Born on New Year’s day, 2017 represents not only the beginning of a new year, but the beginning of the next decade of my life.  These past weeks have been filled with introspection and I started to think about what I wished my 21 year-old self knew that I know now. Here is what I would tell her:

  1. Keep an open heart and an open mind

  2. Never pass up the chance to travel

  3. Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled

  4. Slow down and enjoy what’s right in front of you

  5. Be true to yourself

  6. It’s not about having all the answers, but seeking the knowledge

  7. Be curious and never stop learning

  8. Take care of your body, it’s the only one you’ve got

  9. Be generous with your time and resources

  10. Feel your feelings and share them with others

  11. Use money not to buy things, but to create experiences

  12. Face your fears, what’s on the other side is never as bad as you’ve imagined

  13. Failure is part of life; learn from it

  14. Hang around people that make you want to be a better person

  15. Listen intently when someone else is speaking

  16. Celebrate often, laugh, be silly and have fun

  17. Seek advice, support and help when you need it

  18. Create and honor special traditions

  19. Accept that everything is changing all the time

  20. Cherish your family, they will always be there for you.

  21. You can create, the life you imagine for yourself.

I face this next chapter of my life, not with fear, but with hope. I hope for love, joy and peace for myself and all beings. With any luck, I am only half way through this life and plan to live it fully. I am inspired by the quote from Hunter S. Thompson, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”

I am ready to go, are you?  How might you approach the coming year differently with this quote in mind?  What have you been putting off because you don’t have the time or the money or thought it was too late? What action can you take to make it happen? I would love it if you would leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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