Greetings, and Happy New Year!
If you’re like most people, you likely have a list (written or mental) of New Year’s Resolutions. And if you’re like most people, many of these resolutions will fall by the wayside by the end of January. Although I don’t particularly ascribe to the notion of resolutions, I do believe that it’s worthwhile to spend time in self-reflection, and to notice without judgment what is and what isn’t serving you in your life.
Goal setting can be worthwhile, in that it provides a map for achieving what we want in life. At the same time, I see people far too often try to embark on radical life changes that would perhaps be better undertaken in more gentle increments. When you think of making resolutions, focus on making changes that you can live with for the rest of your life, instead of something that isn’t realistic and can lead to discouragement. It helps to make your goals joyful and life affirming—I believe that every aspect of life should be infused with Spirit, even the physical.
Ask yourself how you can make a commitment to loving more; this includes not only others, but yourself. To love yourself means to take time to care for yourself by preparing healthful, delicious meals; engaging in physical activity that you enjoy; and supporting your long-term health with herbal adaptogens and other concentrated nutrients. Although I am by nature improvisational (which is reflected in my love of jazz music), I thrive by cultivating a disciplined life of caring for myself with healthy food, exercise, rest, adaptogens, and time with my family, friends, and music.
Although many Saints that are completely selfless inspire me, I have learned that if I take good care of myself, I could continue to care for others for a long time. Caring for myself also provides me with great energy to work tirelessly at my calling of healing, which is the mission of Mederi. I encourage you to find the balance this year that will help you to truly live a happy and fulfilling life.
Finally, I recommend that we all try and live a little like tortoises, which live a very long time by maintaining a placid, easy pace. Do everything possible to minimize stress; take time for daily meditation, relaxation, and play. Although it may seem like a radical suggestion, spend less time facebooking, texting, emailing, or anything else that keeps you glued to a screen and takes you away from the present moment. Cultivate face-to-face relationships, play together, eat together, create art, dance, play music, and celebrate this great gift of life.
In the spirit of focusing on what is most important, I’d like to share with you a poem that I recently composed:
God Calls Us
God calls us to a universe that is ancient and vast, and to a home that is intimate and sacred.
God calls us to enjoy who we are as individuals, to accept ourselves within our limitations, and to observe without judgment the light and the darkness within our own lives. Through this deep understanding and acceptance, may we seek and become lights for the world.
God calls us from alienation to belonging, from selfish indifference to new and treasured relationships, and to understanding our place in those relationships as well as our place in the universe.
God calls us to love the ordinary, as well as the extravagant beauty that surrounds us.
God calls us to creativity and appreciation, and to the splendor of life.
God calls us to all that is around us, to the air, earth, water, sun, moon and stars; to family, music, art and food; and to silence.
God calls us to involve ourselves with Him, through our involvement with one another.
God calls us to the mystery of union with Him. From this union miracles occur; we receive these miracles by responding to the calling of God in our daily lives.
God calls us to a humble life filled with compassion, forgiveness, understanding, faith, hope and love.
God calls us His Own. Let us respond to that call in a way that is pleasing to God, for He has called us His Own.
God calls us home.
~by Donald Yance
Thank you for what you share on this site. I love reading it. I have been taking some of your products through my Naturopath and am so happy to have found them. God bless your life for blessing others!
Thank you, Gwen. Best wishes to you.