2017 was a year of STEPPING UP and STEPPING OUT. Propelling forward. Stepping further and further into the unknown. I’ve been stretched and I’ve been challenged. I’ve been WAY out beyond my comfort zone. It’s meant BIG changes in my life. And fear. SH*T loads of it. I’ve been TERRIFIED.

But I’ve come to learn that fear is a natural reaction to moving closer and closer to what’s important to me. That it means that something pretty massive for my evolution is on it’s way. And to evolve we’ve got to learn to trust. Trust that as we step out, a path will be cleared for us to step into. Learn that we don’t need to have all the answers. And listen to that feeling deep down inside that says, “I don’t know how this is all going to work out, but it feels right.”

The Vedic view is that what we put our attention on grows. Most of us are really good at asking ourselves “what’s the worst that can happen?” Running through negative scenario after negative scenario in our minds. I ask myself, “what’s the BEST that can happen?!” The best case scenario is usually EPIC. So I launch myself from that starting point. Because far out, if the best case scenario works out, then hella yes, that is worth me stepping into. That’s worth the fear. And the perceived risk.

I like to think of life as one big dot-to-dot drawing. Do you remember doing those as a kid? You just followed along finding one number to the next, until, what the, I’ve drawn a lion?! Who knew I had those kind of talents! Or that this was how that was all going to turn out!

So this is my analogy for life. That we just need to take things one step at a time. That at 7 you just gotta find your way to 8, from 8 to 9, from 9 to 10. You get the point. There’d usually be a point in there too when you’d WIG OUT. They’ve left out 11, they’ve absolutely left out 11, oh wait, there it is. And on you’d go. From 12 to 13, 13 to 14, until something slowly starts to unfold. This is how I approach life. I take things one decision at a time and check in with myself. With a wig out in between. And on I go again.

The big picture is important, but actually it’s just about taking one step at a time. Doing what feels right at that point. And if I have no idea, I pause. I wait until I find the scenario that’s irresistibly charming, and then step into that. And if I don’t, I’m usually rendered choiceless.

If we’re not ready to electively step up, then life is going to push us, and force us to take that leap. Being pushed like that can feel pretty damn uncomfortable. It’s easy in those moments to fall into the “why meeeeeeeeeeee?!” trap. I hung out in that space for a loooooooooooooooooooong time! I’ve learnt to engage with those moments differently. Asking myself “why is this happening for me?” That’s a really different question to sit with. Engaging with a scenario from that starting point, that this thing has a purpose for me in my life, and asking how I can learn from this experience, engage with it and ultimately grow from it.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t have those days when I just want to throw my hands in the air and say “Enough! Enough with the life lessons already.” NO MORE “opportunities for growth” THANKS.

But ultimately my life experiences have made me the person I am today. They’ve provided me with the lessons I’ve needed to learn in order to be of meaningful service to others. And that’s made for a fulfilling life. Living my life from the what’s the best that can happen premise has meant that I’ve created a life where I don’t count down the days til it’s the weekend like I once did. Or until I can go on my next holiday. My life is one I generally don’t want to escape from. And that’s massive, because I spent way too much of my life wanting out of this world.

No one else is responsible for my happiness. That’s up to me. And to you.

So, what’s the best that can happen in 2018?