“2022 is the time to let go of the things that no longer serve you.”
It’s a New Year, and what better time to accept the things that we can’t change, put down the guilt and shame, and let go of the things that no longer serve us.
Recently, Dr. Powers and Julie DeNofa chat with Timothy Stewart, Speaker, Author, Coach at TalkManTalk.com, and the Founder of Free Yourself From Yourself. As Timothy shares his Recovery Journey, he recalls the Spiritual Awakening that led him to unlearn things of his past, let go of the things that no longer serve him, and how to truly live life.
The beautiful thing about a New Year is that it gives us a fresh, clean slate. The blank canvas is a world of opportunity, possibility, and even recovery.
1. Forgive Your Past
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and realize it was you.” — Lewis B. Smedes
Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things we can do. Whether forgiving our past mistakes or those who hurt us, forgiveness takes acceptance, vulnerability, and humility.
Maybe someone close to you wronged you, and it’s been hard to live past that.
Maybe you hurt those closest to you, and you feel like you deserve to feel pain.
When we learn to accept our past, we take ownership of what happened to us or others. When we lean into forgiveness, something deep inside of us heals. We feel free from any guilt, shame, pain, and hurt. Not only do we come out of our past experiences stronger, so do our relationships.
2. Find Your Community
“The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food.” – Dean Ornish
We aren’t meant to do life alone. Whether it’s finding a trusted friend, a life coach, or a recovery counselor, having a solid community propels us into becoming the best version of ourselves possible.
Not only are we strengthened, but we also have the opportunity to help others. We become stronger together.
Whether it’s someone we can call on the hard days or someone we can share our good news with, it’s essential that we find our people.
When we find those people we can connect with, enjoy each other’s company, and trust with our life, we enhance our overall well-being.
3. Take Care of Your Present Self
“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” – Katie Reed
To live your life to the fullest, it’s essential that you practice self-care. This can be in the form of eating nutritional meals, staying hydrated, or moving your body. Some days, this may look like getting plenty of rest, while others may look like working an extra hour today to have the entire weekend off with your loved ones.
Regardless of how you take care of your present self, it’s important to remember that we can show up as our best selves when we feel our best. Consider starting a Self-Care checklist each week or, at the very least, pick one thing you can do for yourself each day. Your future self will thank you for it.
4. Live With Integrity
“Supporting the truth, even when it is unpopular, shows the capacity for honesty and integrity.” – Steve Brunkhorst
To live life to the fullest, we must live with integrity. Living with integrity is about being genuine with ourselves and others. We are honest about our goals, dreams, and aspirations. And we’re honest about our mistakes, shortcomings, and oversight.
Much like accepting our past, living with integrity takes ownership of our words and actions. We must tune into our self-awareness and recognize both our strengths and weaknesses. And we must remain faithful to our values and principles, regardless of what happens in our lives.
It’s not always easy being honest and transparent with where we are, but combining this with a strong community, we stay true to ourselves.
5. Practice Gratitude
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” – Eckhart Tolle
At PRC, we believe in practicing a positive mindset. With gratitude, this powerful practice helps enrich a positive outlook on life. And, it reminds us of our current blessings by focusing on the present moment.
Whether it’s thankfulness for friends and family, a stable job, and clean home, or the gift of Recovery, gratitude helps us focus on what we have rather than what we might lack. And the more we practice gratitude, the more things we are thankful for.
Here’s to Living Life to the Fullest in 2022!
While the New Year is a great time to implement these tools, we can implement each of these practices daily. By accepting and forgiving our past, finding community, practicing self-care, living with integrity, and practicing gratitude, we not only strengthen our relationships, but we can enhance our overall health and well-being.