starting again

Definitions are a vital starting point for imagination.
What we cannot imagine cannot come into being.
~bell hooks

​​The beginning of a new year...a blank slate...an empty page...a time as good as any to reimagine our lives...set intention...and design a pathway forward. 

Some questions I find useful:

• What do I value most? 
• What would I love for the heart of my life to look like?
• What is my work? (Not my job.) What is my purpose here?
• What might my life look like if what I value most was most prioritized?
• What supports my values + purpose?
• What does not support my values + purpose?
• Am I willing to let the things that don't support my values right now fall away?
• How do I want to spend my time?
• How do I design my life to honor my values?

It makes sense to me to approach this designing in the same way that I approach simplifying my home, wardrobe or calendar. Start with a clean sheet of paper + decide what belongs. The temptation is to look at each item we have + consider whether we want to let it go or not. If we look at each tchotchke, sweater + commitment this way, it is difficult to decide to let go. We may simply consider our attachment rather than its value to our lives. Many of the things we love, both physical + otherwise, can actually hinder our intentions rather than enhance them.

If we instead look at our space + decide how we need it to function (yes, beauty is a function too) + what items support these functions...then we can better understand how to move forward + to shop our own belongings. We can decide to place an extra object (or five) in place(s) of honor...but we may realize that we have many superfluous objects too.

When we design our lives around our highest values, we may find that some things we thought we couldn't give up just aren't serving what we value most. We might decide to say, "no thank you" to an offered promotion...decide to sit out a traditional vacation this year...or remove the pursuit of prestige from a hobby.

I want to intentionally prioritize what I want in my life (love + my primary relationships, for example). I don't want to just squeeze them in around the edges. We know that we cannot eat every good thing at one meal. We do not need to own every good thing. Likewise, I cannot do every good thing at once...and that is just fine. Creating some space around the things I value most allows me to treasure them appropriately. The same thing happens in my home, my wardrobe + my calendar.

Define values often...let the imagination soar...be ready to respond accordingly...live!

Love,
​Jane