First, Happy New Year! You made it through the first decade of the 21st century and what was to be a rapidly changing but eventful last 5 years. The stories, the plans, the disappointments, the victories are all in the past and we are forging an even greater 10 years ahead. Or are we??

Rolling into 2010 was most likely not like partying 1999 style. There were significant concerns for some. There are people that are conflicted about things in their life whether it was job loss, relationship loss, tragedy but for me the conflict was different. Of course there is a portion of some of the previous things that are still going on, but I had big personal growth goals that were put on the back burner. I guess it would be self-management. But what does that truly mean?

There are people and places in life that would tell you that focusing on yourself is greedy or selfish, conceited etc. There are just so many forms of focusing on you that get lost in the cultures perspective. Believe it or not the 80 or most likely 95% of the cultures pull is pulling down. It is a large group conflicted constantly by the way the world is treating them. It is not a culture generally focused on mastery of themselves or anything else. So how do you work on mastering yourself?

What I am committed to this year and beyond is focusing on starts. My brain can quickly turn into a heated engine of instant problem solving and intensity. We have adapted to the philosophy that all must be well and that simply is not true. Have you ever heard the expression if everything is important nothing is? That is true now more than ever in my lifetime and it’s time for us to schedule our priorities. This part isn’t new information it’s fundamental. There is no “fun” in fundamental so we simply don’t do it. Here’s the trick to scheduling and managing you; Do it especially when every part of your being is completely bored and tired of doing it. Recognize and make a habit of recognizing when you are adapting to your old ways and push through the pain. When it sucks ask yourself is it working not do I enjoy this task because if it’s working you will have more joy. No matter what it is your doing, working out, running a business, reconnecting relationships, planning your time (big one), saving for your future etc.

The art of focusing on starts is that you have to get it in motion. I am naturally not a self-starter, they used to call it procrastinator but we were all getting offended so someone else did something about it. When you focus on the starts that matter and you take that start into momentum, you become free. Momentum, however, is like riding a wave with some rough seas. As soon as we get distracted by let’s say the culture or ourselves we jump off the wave.

Momentum is way easier to control then starting. I speak from experience. So, when I am outlining my goals, not resolutions, for the year I want to focus on starts. Starting the important thing should be first. What is it that keeps getting postponed that will not only make a difference in your life for the positive but stretch you and grow you beyond the imaginable? What one action step can you take to pursue the very dream that you’re avoiding? You see, the start has to occur. It’s the biggest step towards living I know. Sometimes a very hard decision has to be made in order to get the ball rolling. Maybe someone will be hurt by your decision or money will be lost? The hardest bullet to swallow is one that separates you from your immediate surroundings or makes you uncomfortable so why not be deliberate? Why not be intentional about the why it’s necessary to make that critical move forward?

We as humans live our life in the avoidance of pain not the pursuit of pleasure. Our culture paints greed as the reason we pursue our dreams. We may have someone that we love telling us we are greedy for trying to create passion and a better life. You may have someone like that right now. Today’s dreamer, given the right tools, could be dangerous in a good way! If you have an idea that you are passionate about do it! If you have a relationship that has been rocky start whatever needs to be done. Whatever it is that keeps you up, just begin. The only life I’m positive we all have is this one. How will you start something today that makes you happy to be alive?
Happy New Year… and all the best to your new decade and new chance to make it all you want it to be!
Thanks for reading.

Lately I’ve really come to understand how much of an emotional challenge I have been going through. The difficult part comes from the battle that goes on in me. I am always ready for a challenge but I look to the things that now define me. For instance I am not a naturally patient person. Big surprise to those that know me well but I had to learn patience. I never thought it was possible learning a character trait but I am way more patient today because I know the importance and I have self-control. I am also a procrastinator or to be more positive, not a natural self-starter. However I manage to get more productive activity done then most.

The challenge I am having is ongoing and deep seated emotional. It has to do with the most important person in my life. I understand that tests are put in place to stretch and grow just like the things I’ve learned above but sometimes it’s just difficult. Can you relate at all? I mean there are days when I wonder why I have to be the light and somehow I just am the light. By light I mean shining care and patience and persistence on people, loving, leading, forgiving and hopeful of all that is. I know that struggles get to me and everyone else. I am always looking to get above them, to get above the flood of human emotion and thrive.

I like to think of my challenges as chances to move up. There’s a ladder of life that keeps me moving above the flood. If you picture a ladder or a mountain or something where true accomplishment comes from the ascent you can sometimes see the problem below you and a possible solution. There are times when the problem is truly above you and you have to climb. Really dig in and pull or push upward just a little. I am finding that the more I climb up even though it feels like someone is pulling on my legs there are times when I can easily move up two or three more steps. It feels intense and right now being in it, it is hard to write this but it gives me strength. The greatest triumph is when a new situation comes along and I am already above or bigger than the challenge.

Your emotional altitude and aptitude is always a distance up. There are controlled moments, week moments and moments of absolute triumph that come from all the rungs you’ve climbed below you. Leaning in to those moments when you beat defeat, striving for the uncertain thing and leaning into whatever strength you could muster just to get through or to thrive are all huge parts of emotional altitude. The times where you were tired and frustrated but still pushed through it built bigger muscles in you today.

I wish that everyone could be strong in this economy but the truth is that will not happen overnight. I am dedicated to this build and to the gratitude and blessings this life as given me. I don’t always put them in the front of my challenges and obstacles but when I catch myself slipping down a rung or two I quickly recognize and adjust. I am so grateful for the emotional stability and altitude that comes from my family, close friends and support structure. I thank you for your unique contributions to my life and want to give more and more back every day. How do you thrive day to day? What do you do that helps you push upward and onward? Thank you for reading.