Are you ready for your best day?
No matter what we have achieved (or missed) in 2023, the possibilities of growing every day and the opportunities to begin anew always remain.
Remembering that made a difference for me time and time again.
As we begin to close the books on this landmark year and look forward to 2024, it’s natural that our thoughts will turn to the idea of beginnings and endings. But in truth, that is always where we stand.
Beginnings and endings. We need both as we step into each day’s new world.
What is key is always staying curious and inspired.
I keep creative work from many artists around me as a continuous source of inspiration. I know some of the artists - even consider them friends - while I simply admire others. But all are creative messengers of the beauty of life. While words, images, sounds, and even tastes can inspire me, my favorite pieces are where those elements partner and create multi-dimensional experiences.
When I sit at my desk, there is always such a piece within my line of sight. It isn’t a large piece. It only measures 12” by 12” – one square foot. It covers only a primary measure of space. And yet, it expresses the drive that fuels my energy every day.
It’s a stretched canvas with a transferred print from artist Bonnie Mohr. The scene is of a solitary tree within a field with open fencing, all set against a sky where the sun produces both shadows and light. The tree is mature with wide, full branches. Its shape is lovely but has gaps through which you see the sky beyond it. You somehow know that this tree is the keeper of many secrets and dreams.
Every tree tells the story of life. It begins as a seed, sprouts roots, and then grows to its fullness over time. We share the same story. When we are born, our roots also form, and we begin to grow through the seasons of life. How we adapt to a changing environment and assimilate all the elements thrown at us has a great deal to do with the strength of our roots and how well they hold us. The impact shows up in our shape, size, and even character. The tree in my art piece has a strong character.
The art piece also holds these words:
“Nobody can go back and start a new BEGINNING, but ANYONE can start today and make a new ENDING.”
We cannot begin again. We’ve already started. It’s not even something I would desire. To start again, I would lose too much of what is dear to me. A tree cannot go back to just being a seed. Nor can we.
What we can start today is a new chapter.
We are continuously re-writing the ending. We have the power to shape it with every choice we make today.
Like the tree, we keep living. We keep growing and reaching for new horizons.
One of my long-time mentors is Robin Sharma. From his teachings, I incorporated a mantra within my morning reflection, where I focus my day before it begins.
It is this: “Every day, in every way, I am growing wiser and stronger. Today will be my best day.”
The first part of the mantra makes the second part true.
Into each day, we bring with us all the strength and wisdom of every day that came before. We have this incredible bank of experience and knowledge unique to us at that moment in time.
All we must do is leverage the lessons to make every day our best. That does not diminish the value of any day that came before. On the contrary, it honors those days by building on them.
Are you ready for your best day? Are you ready for today?
It’s much easier than you think. Ask any tree.
