Tag: new year

The Middle Is Where It Happens

Here’s what I’ve learned after writing 12 books, navigating countless pivots and watching life unfold in unanticipated ways:

The middle is where the transformation actually happens.

Not the beginning—that’s just the spark. Not the ending—that’s just the reveal.

The middle? That’s where you:

  • Question everything you thought you knew
  • Discover strengths you didn’t know you had
  • Learn to trust yourself even when you can’t see the path
  • Become someone you weren’t when you started

The middle is uncomfortable, uncertain and sometimes scary.

And let’s consider something radical: What if your messy middle season is what’s required to grow you into a person who can navigate the best chapters ahead with wisdom, poise and resilience? What if you need to go through “this” to be prepared to honor and elevate “that?”

What if the timing of your life is exactly right—even when it doesn’t match your plan?

I’ve learned in my toughest seasons to breathe through it, pray through it, lean on the tenets of my faith and rest in the hope that my resilience and hope will see me through.

Doing this has given me permission to stay in the present, to be in the middle of my story and to intentionally nurture myself. I’ve found the courage to not have it all figured out – to change my mind, alter my path and rewrite the plan.

I’ve surrendered to being in progress, without perfection; to trust that where I am is exactly where I need to be as my life actively unfolds.

And that’s not something to apologize for – that’s something to honor.

As the year winds down and a new one approaches, let’s ask ourselves:

“What wants to unfold in me next?”

Not: What do I need to force or fix or figure out?

What’s already trying to emerge if I just give it space?

Not: Where should I be by now?

Where am I being invited to go next??

I believe in you – in us!

So write your vision, speak life into it and embrace the positives in your present on the way to your next chapter.

“Sunrise — Oregon Mountain Pass” by Beyond the Trail (Gary Robertson) is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

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Intentions vs Resolutions

As this year winds to a close and 2025 waves hello, be intentional about enjoying the life you’ve been gifted.

Make a few resolutions if this helps you get on track or stay on track with long-held goals. Perhaps choose a word for the year that will inspire you to focus and keep going.

Whatever you do, be intentional about what to devote time and energy to in the coming year and what to pause, release or sidestep.

Concentrate on embracing the intangibles that serve as the foundation for a meaningful life – unconditional love, hope and inner joy. Live. Laugh. Dance a little, too. 

Lean into all that makes your heart beat a little faster and your peace grow exponentially, and be sure to honor your dreams and your purpose.

Getting Through ’22

On this final day of 2022, join me in taking time to reflect on what has been and on what remains.

Be grateful for it all, 

for nothing is wasted 

when you view it 

or experience it as 

fuel for your journey, 

seed for your purpose,

water for your growth,

and building blocks for your inner joy.

Reminisce, prepare and give thanks.

Evolve or Repeat

Evolve or Repeat. Is this phrase the mantra of 2020 or what??

Let’s truly take this message to heart the last few weeks of this “year never to be forgotten” and do the basics – wear our masks, drink our water, mind our business.

And then, let’s take it up a notch and do what will manifest our destiny – 

purge what no longer serves you; 

pursue what undoubtedly fills you;

push through procrastination; 

persist in nurturing your dreams (or in discovering them),

and transform into someone more purpose-driven and soul-beautiful than ever.

Even if you stumbled or mis-fired this year, the fact that you’re still here means your music is still playing. 

So take a chance on you. Heal, grow and evolve where necessary, so you can get up and dance, without having to repeat all of the lessons this year gave us – only the ones that fueled your hope, propelled you toward goodness and manifested joy.