Stuff Learnt from 2013…

I, as I hope you have too, have learnt a whole lot of stuff in 2013. In my life and in my dreams it really was the year that stuff sang loud and clear, doubt was obliterated by faith, and I woke up to a happier, simpler way of being. Without further ado I present my top ten stuffs learnt because, well, that’s what I’m here to do!

10. Ask

And you really shall receive. So simple, yet so overlooked and understated that it bears repeating; all you have to do is ask. For what you want, for what you desire. For what you need, for what you love. For that job, for that house, for that date, or for that dress. Sure you can try waiting, hinting, speculating or wishing, but nothing beats simply asking. Just remember: “Your needs are the vocation of angels.” – Danielle LaPorte.

There is, however, a slight catch. You have to ask with all your heart, all your will, and all the belief of truly deserving you can generate.

 9. Believe in signs

 It’s how your angels, God, the universe, destiny, or whatever/whomever you believe in, communicates. Your signs are everywhere, and come in a multitude of forms; they maybe unmistakable siren songs or just the slightest hint of doubt. You just have to open your heart to see them.

 8. Make space

For light, for change, for fresh air to refresh, for new beliefs, for sparks of genius, for love, for rest, for clarity, for brand spanking new goodies and experiences. Things don’t just show up in your life, you have to be open and ready to receive them.

Though, to be ready, to make space, you usually have to…

7. Throw out the rubbish

 Haven’t used it in the last year? Get rid of it. This especially counts for long held beliefs, invaluable, repetitive thoughts and meaningless rituals. When in doubt throw it out.

 6. Certainty is an illusion

 So don’t bother chasing it. Learning to embrace uncertainty is where true freedom lies. Speaking of uncertainty…

 5. Learn how to trust

 In guidance, in love, in kindness, in signs (see #9), in other people, and, ultimately, in yourself. Because…

4. Truth always reveals itself

In time, in dreams, in heavy sighs and empty glances. In burning desires, bitter after-tastes and peaceful acceptance. In how things are, as opposed to how things should be. Mind you, I’m not talking about the truth, your truth or someone’s truth, but Truth.

By the way, Truth can only, only, be found in your heart, not your mind. It is never ‘thought’, it is always ‘felt’.

Speaking of which…

3. Know how you want to feel

So you can live the life you want to live. You have infinite possibilities and there is no right or wrong way to feel. You may think you don’t know what you want, but at any given moment you certainly know how you want to feel. Not how you should feel; there are no ‘shoulds’ when it comes to feelings, only feelings alone. Still not sure what feelings you truly desire? Pinpoint those you absolutely do not want to encounter and then run in the opposite direction.

One more thing about desired feelings; get specific. ‘I want to feel happy’ is great, but what does ‘happy’ feel like to you? Exciting? Jubilant? Peaceful? Secure? To find your happy only you can define what it feels like.

2. Compassion wins

Always. Period.

1. Allow yourself to be seen

And embrace the power of vulnerability. Find the courage to Dare Greatly*.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt, “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, also referred as “The Man in the Arena,” given at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, on April 23, 1910.

Bonus!

Just Breath. As in stop what you’re doing, be still and take a deep breath, filling your lungs with deliciously crisp oxygen, and releasing all that gunk clogging your airways. It can and does make all the difference.

(*By far my favorite book of the year is ‘Daring Greatly’ by Brene Brown. Find a copy. Read it. Live it.)