DEAR READERS: Happy new year! We are here at the beginning of a new page in the history of our lives. This can be an exciting time — especially if you embrace it as a moment when possibilities stand before your eyes.
Look through the lens of potential this year. What do you want for yourself and for your loved ones?
Pause to reflect on all of the experiences you had that led you to this moment. I believe in writing all of those things down. What were last year’s highlights? The great things and the challenges? How did you weather the storms and handle the victories? Who are the people you want to engage with in 2025, and who can be connections of the past?
As you think about these things, give yourself grace. No matter what happened last year, the fact that you are blessed to be here now means you have the opportunity to write a new chapter of your story.
What do you want to title this chapter? What big goals do you have that you want to manifest? I have learned that when you name things specifically, you create space to make them happen.
It can be scary to claim your dreams, but I assure you that when you do and you proceed to work on them, amazing things happen. When you set your mind to something and commit to working on it a little bit each day, over time you get to witness your ideas bear fruit.
I will give you one example that will likely resonate for many of us.
At the beginning of last year, I had a serious injury that required surgery. I was incapacitated for about six weeks followed by six months of physical therapy. I wasn’t particularly fit, and this set me back further.
Along the way, I was working with a therapist and bemoaning my situation. She said to me that I had to change something. I chose to change my health. Making that simple mindset shift began a process that has been beneficial for me.
In the midst of healing from surgery, I adopted a new attitude toward what I put in my body. I am happy to report that I have lost more than 20 pounds this past year, thanks to perseverance and commitment. For 2025, I have reupped my intention to continue on the path toward wellness.
I tell you this as my example of something I said I would do, and I did it. For context, I had been trying to lose weight for years, and nothing was budging. The mindset shift was essential to my success.
This year, I have a few other goals on my list that are personal and business-related. I recommend that you do the same.
Assess your life, and decide how you want to live it. Then take action. One day at a time. It can work. You are worth it!
By the way, when you slip up or lose focus, just recommit when you realize you are off course. Life is a journey. Make the choice to savor each day.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.