10 Soul Lessons

1. Time is a valuable currency. It’s been so easy for me to wait on things – wait until it gets easier, until I’m less uncomfortable, until there’s more money, until…. Time doesn’t wait for until. The only time we all get is right now, this moment. And that means embracing the present, learning from the past (and letting go of what doesn’t need to barried through), and striving for the future. It’s this beautiful synergy of energy – radiating from the gift of now.
2. Don’t run from uncomfortable. So often on the other side of uncomfortable is breakthrough, healing, and opportunity. Just because something is uncomfortable doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done OR that we can’t do it. Courage is often found in the depths of uncomfortable, in the bravery of trying and in the audacity to speak up. The uncomfortable changes lives.
3. The only one that can invest in you is you. Yes, others can tell you to take care of yourself or show up, but until you decide that you are worth fighting for – nothing changes. So invest in you. Dare to laugh, to dream, to try. When you invest in yourself you are investing in those you love. There is no guilt in taking care of your spirit, your health, and your heart.
4. Set goals. For years I shied away from the idea of resolutions – until I realized that there is great power in the act of creating a resolution. It doesn’t mean that you need to create a “new” you – it simply means that you are investing into the existing you. You are believing in her (or his) dreams. You are trying new things. You are willing to make this life spectacular. Goals are guides – like north – on a compass. The path to get there might be messy, but the journey is priceless.
5. Learn the art of stillness. My mind is always racing, always thinking, and in order to get clarity I’ve had to develop ways to create stillness in my mind. It doesn’t mean I sit in a room meditating. It might be that or it might be a walk or a run. It might be working in my garden or journaling. So often we think of stillness as one of those things that we’ll get to when we’re not as busy. But, my friend, what if creating stillness will actually create less busy?
6. Create a pause. A pause before responding, before assuming, before judging. A pause is simply a breath, a moment, where instead of allowing the emotions of the moment to hijack your thinking you put yourself back in the driver’s seat. Seconds can change perspective.
7. Small, intentional steps can create giant results. Last year I had a goal of running 1000 miles. I completed that goal, but not on the last day. It would have been impossible to run 1000 miles then. Instead I made a commitment to myself. That commitment? To run each day I could. I didn’t have to be fast, perfect – I just had to run. Those days of small runs added up until I was able to cross the finish line. The goal plus the small steps created the biggest gift – the realization that I can do hard things. Don’t overlook your small gains.
8. Don’t close the door based on assumptions. It’s easy to assume, isn’t it? We are always making assessments, assumptions, and sometimes we can close doors without giving the other side a chance. In business, if I assume something I write won’t resonate, won’t sell without giving anyone a chance to purchase it – then my assumption is making the decision for someone else. So try to assume less, be brave, put yourself out there. When we assume the answer is no (or yes) we don’t even give the other person the opportunity to decide. And thus, we closed our own door. This year, work to keep the door open.
9. Money is energy. I lived for so many years with a fear of money – fear that there wasn’t enough, that I couldn’t solve my financial problems. Instead of seeing it as a fluid currency – I saw it as finite – something to fear. I worked hard to change that relationship, that perspective with money. Now, now I try to practice the Japanese art of Arigato – expressing gratitude for all exhanges – giving and receiving – of money and living in abundance. This powerful tool helped me erase fear and created a deep level of peace and thankfulness.
10. Make life meaningful. Invest in others, invest in your heart. Happiness arises when we become congruent with our own selves. With our stories. If you always wait (point one) time will keep slipping by. Don’t wait to forgive, to find peace, to do what your heart loves. When you work on changing the inside – breaking mindsets, creating new paths – then your outer world will change. You get now, this life. Make it matter.

Those are ten of my soul lessons for 2023.

This is a year of holistic living for me, of daring to do new things, and living with my soul alive.

~Rachel