41 will be...

I'm about to take my 41st turn around the sun. The first year of my 4th decade on this planet was most definitely not the best, but I'm determined to not allow that to be the theme of my 40's. I'm putting in a lot of effort to see the world with new eyes as I continue to dig through and release the layers that have shaped me into what I am not. Today's blog post is about sharing some advice that I plan to live over this next year and beyond. Perhaps some of it will resonate with you too? My theme, so to speak, is when you change how you perceive reality, your reality changes.

---

First off, I plan to have more fun. I plan to laugh more and take delight in the simplest of pleasures. I plan to hang out more with my inner child - the one who stares in awe at the butterfly fluttering by. The one who takes pleasure in jumping on a trampoline. The one who will swing as high as she can and pretend like she's flying. We knew how to just BE as kids. We weren't worried about all of the doing. We knew how to BE happy and content and curious. We may have forgotten this as adults as we shifted from BEing to doing, but we can find that inner child again.

---

Tell everyone you know: "My happiness depends on me, so you're off the hook" And then demonstrate it. Be happy, no matter what they're doing. Practice feeling good, no matter what. And before you know it, you will not give anyone else responsibility for the way you feel - and then, you'll love them all. Because the only reason you don't love them, is because you're using them as your excuse to not feel good. --Abraham

What an amazing statement! Take responsibility for our own happiness and stop using the people who should be adding to our happiness, but aren't, as our excuse to not feel good. This is empowering. It's a lot easier to blame people and situations for our unhappiness, but it just leaves us as victims and happiness will continue to elude us. I know it will take some practice as it is very contradictory to ego, but the results will be worth their weight in gold.

---

How often do we just try to get through the days? How mundane have our days become? People seem so intent on living longer, yet they're really not focusing on living fuller. Every single day is a gift - even the "bad" ones. We have a choice each day of how we're going to live it. Don't wait to live your dreams until (insert excuse here) - time goes by so quickly. Unwrap each day as the PRESENT that it is. What experiences, large or small, would lead you to a fuller life today?

So much love to you all, Adrienne :)