It is February already and if you’re like us, last month seemed to end before it even began. But time marches on and if we’re lucky, we recognize the blessing of new beginnings as they occur.
As those close to me know, I am someone who loves new beginnings and new energy. I love new beginnings, that fresh feeling of the unexpected, surprise, and delight that comes with discovering where the path is going and carving it out as you see it in your mind. There’s something fresh and fantastic that happens when newness is in the air. Whether it’s a birth in the family, a new romance, a new job, or just a fresh perspective, something luscious occurs as you embrace that newness and begin to experience it unfold as your new reality.
When you have the opportunity to experience something for the first time, or even to create something from scratch for the first time, there is a magical quality that accompanies that experience. It reminds me of the delight you see that happens on children’s faces during new discoveries.
One of the areas in which we’ve really needed new beginnings, particularly in Michigan, is the area of new jobs. Our feature columnist this month, always ready to lend fresh perspectives and an air of inner wisdom, Megan Coatley, has provided a great article for all the job hunters who need a fresh approach. If you need a little inspiration, Megan has the words to provide it.
We also have two articles from individuals who have faced serious health conditions recently. These articles are more from a personal perspective than we typically include in the print publication and we’re excited to include them.
As you know, we always love to feature the great experts in our midst and these columnists have become experts in their own rights in dealing with how to manage a critical diagnosis. They have wisdom beyond words and these articles remind us that while not all “new” experiences can be deemed as fun or rewarding, the power and beauty of our human nature is that we can manage to discover fresh wisdom and knowledge in any situation.
The sense of discovery and adventure along that path as new events, experiences, and energy is something I find exhilarating. Periodically, you can also discover that what you think is your new reality is something very different upon closer examination. Those fresh perspective also bring a sense of newness and changes the trajectory of your life as well.
Recently I had the opportunity to view the documentary I Am. For anyone who hasn’t yet heard about it, it’s a thought provoking film from Tom Shadyac, the creative visionary and producer of movies such as Ace Ventura Pet Detective and many others.
An active outdoors man, Tom had an accident on his bike and suffered a concussion, which ultimately led to the development of post concussion syndrome. Post concussion syndrome is a debilitating phenomena which often results in massive depression and even suicide. He spent months isolated and alone trying to manage the symptoms.
He’d achieved what our society tells us we should strive for and what will ultimately bring us happiness. He’d become a millionaire and had status, things, prosperity. But strangely (or some would say, not surprisingly), he felt no happier than before any of those things came into his life experience, even before the accident that led to the deterioration of his health.
Months passed and throughout that time, he kept coming back to the same two questions: “What is wrong with our world?” and “What can we do about it?” Over time, surprisingly, his symptoms began to lessen but the questions remained.
Tom decided to grab a film crew and travel to meet with those who might help him answer those two questions. The results mirror what we’re coming to conclude - that although we’ve all invested a lot of time and energy into creating what we have today with our economic and social systems, it’s time to take a fresh look at creating something new. It’s a thought-provoking, inspiring, emotional, and rewarding film and one that I really recommend.
Part of what I love about life is that it’s never too late to start over. Our new beginnings are really only a decision away, all the rest of it is just details. Once we’re clear on what we want, the foundation is set for that path to unfold and with action, we can bring results to our reality.
The beauty of where we are today is that although these times have led us down some rather scary, dark roads, we’re all inevitably coming to the same conclusions - maybe this road isn’t actually the one that we want to be on after all. Again, the beauty of fresh beginnings - who’s to say that we can’t begin again or create something that’s more in line with what we really want?
Whether you’re determining what fresh starts you want in your life on a personal, professional, or even global level, take some time to gain clarity of what those things are. The more clarity you have within yourself on what you want in your life, the better equipped you will be at taking the actions that will lead you farther down the road of that new journey.
Whether you’ve begun this year discovering what you want to leave behind you as you move forward in your life or whether you’re already embracing more of what you do want, we hope that your life is full of new beginnings!
