Hi, Reader

Hi Reader,

Tell me – How are you? How’s life fairing with you? How are your family and friends doing? Are work and school keeping you occupied? Did you, by any chance, learn a new hobby? One that puts a smile on your face whenever you think about spending time working on it?

Wherever you are and whatever life has you going through, I hope it’s at least treating you with kindness and bravery.

I hope the light still shines in your heart.

I hope that you are taking care of your soul by doing the things that set it on fire. And while you’re out there exploring life, please take time to breathe.

It is true that time stops for no one, and as much as many of us want to rush to the finish line when we look back, all we will probably see is a gray blur of dust. Is that something we want to remember? Or, would it be nice to see our tiny stepping stones along the way? And, besides, the stones are the vibrant colors of beautiful sunflowers, roses, or any other flower you love. They surround the strong, resilient trees that you helped bloom on your journey.

They paint a lovely picture.

Reader, do you spend some time out of your days to tell your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them? Lately, I’ve been understanding more about the importance of cherishing those within my heart and being sure that they know how blessed I am to have them in my life. It’s insane to think that some of our last hello’s would actually be our final goodbyes.

This letter is sounding much gloomier than I intended it to be. Let’s brighten it up a bit.

Reader, what do you do for fun? Painting? Playing soccer? Dancing? Cooking? Curling up in your blankets and watching the latest episode of your favorite TV show? Reading? What about your favorite activities that make you happy? What is it about them gets you smiling softly to yourself whenever you take a pause to reflect on them? Either way, I’m glad you have something to turn to whenever obstacles become too challenging. If not, I hope you find that activity that warms you up when life gets cold.

If something interests or excites you, give it a chance. It’s okay to start with baby steps. It’s okay to not know everything about it. It’s okay to not get it right once, twice, even five times. You’re learning, and most of all, you’re doing your best.

As someone once said, we can never get to 100% if we don’t have 1%.

Reader, did something or someone make you smile today? If so, how did you feel about it? Many people seem so serious nowadays. It’s as if one wrong button pushed could cause the walls of a dam to break and there would be a rush of water flooding those near it. One thing I’m trying to be stronger in is to keep a smile on my face and kindness in my voice when I’m faced with those who seemingly have thunderclouds above their heads. We never know what someone could be going through the moment we interact with them. And if the smallest compassion would help turn someone’s thunder into droplets of rain, there might be a bit of sunshine in between their clouds.

Reader, there are 365 days in a year, but there is a lifetime to recharge, start over, and create the life you desire. Let go of anything and anyone who is no longer serving a purpose to your soul. Release those unwanted feelings that are keeping you from feeling happy, serene, loved, excited, and curious. You are so much more than what anyone or your past self could give you credit for.

You are beautiful energy with passions growing strongly within you. May you reach your full potential and serene happiness in this life and the next.