“Life, like a marble block is given to all, A blank, inchoate mass of years and days.”
– Edith Wharton
As children, growing up in Ohio, my younger brother and I always raced to bundle up in the seven layers of clothing required by my mother and be the first to mark the new, never-been-walked-on snow. That endless, untouched expanse of blank, white fluff just lying in wait was a child’s delight.
Where adults saw a driveway to shovel, canceled appointments and an additional 30-minute drive to work, as children we saw snow angels, figure-eights and our names in giant letters.
Whenever the calendar changes to a new year, I have that same feeling. Lying before me is an untouched expanse of months. It’s a fresh start – a chance to try things you haven’t tried, finish things you’ve left undone, improve things that are in need of reform.
What a perfect time to reinvent yourself, your business, your life.
Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” In the hurry and haste of daily duties, it’s far too easy to sacrifice daring for done. We often fall into the habit of living a list instead of a life. We move from one task to another, taking our joy from crossing one more item off our “to-do” list. Done!
Have you allowed yourself to stop daring? Have you become afraid to make changes, to take chances, to step beyond “that’s the way it’s always been?”
Life must be more than just the number of tasks you’ve managed to complete before you fall asleep each night. If that’s the rut you’ve fallen into, change it NOW.
Yes, change can be scary, but it can also be invigorating. And isn’t that what life should be – invigorating? Author and philosopher William James offers this advice, “To change one’s life: Start immediately, do it flamboyantly, no exceptions (no excuses).”
It doesn’t matter how big or small the changes are. The point is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Look at yourself and your world with fresh eyes. Ask yourself, if I could do anything (and you can) would I do this? If I could do it any way (and you can) would I do it this way? If I could be anyone (and you can) would I be like this?
As Ashleigh Brilliant asks, “At any moment I could start being a better person – but which moment should I choose?”
Why not choose now – the start of a new, never-been-lived-in year.
