Let me be one of the first to welcome you to the New Year 2014. I am excited because I fully believe this is going to be a good year – in spite of all the predictions, politics and pundits. I believe in the message that I shared last week about Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. So with this in mind, it is a good time to survey your life and, if needed, adjust your sails so every day is the best day in the year.
Let me share a few things about adjusting your sail for a good new year. Sometimes we have to make allowances for others, meaning sometimes we need to unload the extra weight (their actions or attitudes) that is harming us. When we do that, it can make it easier to do what we were born to do.
To make the sailing vessel lighter we need to throw some things overboard. Specifically, we need to get rid of things that are weighing us down, things that feel like an anchor around our neck and things that take up valuable space on our ship and in our lives.
Please allow me to suggest three things, which I believe, will help you this year.
1. Consider giving others a specified, timed freedom to speak their mind. For some people nothing haunts them like the things they didn’t say and for them to heal and set you free sometimes you need to let them speak their mind one final time. *NOTE: Be careful on this one, you need to protect yourself – mentally, emotionally, physically and perhaps spiritually. This may not work in every situation so use your common sense. Above all protect yourself.
2. Listen more – remember, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply.” I talk a lot about how your voice is the only voice that someone might actually listen to or hear. And I’ll add that sometimes the only person they want to “hear them out” is you.This year would you consider listening more? Just allow others to stand in the light and shine.
3. Help others forgive – I find that many people would like to clear a situation but will not out of respect or deference to you. They’re your friend and if you were hurt then they were hurt and will hold YOUR grudge. But, you have the power to allow them to remove themselves from the situation since it is not their issue. Asking others to hang on to your grudges, hurt and anger is not being a true friend. It shows your immature, selfish side and as my favorite internet sensation says, “aint’ no one got time for that…”
Thanks for reading. If you have a friend who needs to hear today’s message please forward this email. I am reading this week’s podcast in the link below. You can listen now or download for later. Download all my podcasts from iTunes, Stitcher, Podkicker or Soundcloud. I am now publishing on Medium – please follow me here