New Intentions

New year means New beginnings, New journeys, New goals, New intentions, and probably a New gym membership. Shit, thats a lot of new. New years is such a powerful time to reflect on last year and look forward to the possibilities of the next. Hope, promise, ambiguity, fear, curiosity, and excitement all bundled up into two days.

Since I have been home, the second question people ask me after "how was your trip?"is "What are you going to do next?". At this very moment, I don't have the answer to that question. While part of me struggles with that and wishes that I did, I hold strong in knowing the answer to "what is NOW". What is "now" is that I am home safely after nothing short of an eventful last 5 days in Africa, happy to be clean, still waiting to hear from schools, and pursuing other challenges as I wait. I will head into 2013 with some intentions to live NOW, that will guide me to what is NEXT when the time is right. 

here are my 13 Intentions for 2013:

1. Live in a place of Love, but it's ok to have a meaningful conversation with your bullshit when necessary. 

2. Stay honest and authentic in your intentions, actions, beliefs, and goals. Come back to your true aim when you stray. 

3. Give thanks every day.

4. Pray often. And Listen. Continue this journey walking with God. 

5. Live in possibility and in the present. You can create anything if you believe in possibility. Create something Powerful. 

6. Be open to the outcomes.

7. Celebrate and love yourself unconditionally. Your going to screw up, and its going to be ok.  When judgement and negativity creep in, feel what you need to, re-evaluate, and then let it go.

8. Never stop exploring. Stay curious about yourself, the world, and what you can cultivate together.

9. Embrace challenges, and make them your masterpiece. 

10. Blow your own damn mind every once and while! Get uncomfortable, shake shit up, scare yourself, and see what happens.

11. Appreciate both the little and big things. Just because its small, doesn't mean its not important. 

12. Keep an open heart, an open mind, and open eyes.

13. Breathe, and be YOU. 

As you head into 2013, take what you need from last year- some lessons and humility, and let what you don't need stay. Be fearless and let the journey unfold. 

xoxoxoxoxo

chels

Joy. Peace. Hope. Flour. Eggs. Sugar.

And no, I haven't had too much egg nog, all six of these things are related. In a Chelsea kind of way.

I was hesitant to write this post, as truth be told, I am usually a Christmas hater. For many years I saw Christmas as church turned into a zoo, bat shit crazy holiday shoppers and drivers, bullshit wrapped in bows, a day of multiple family melt downs, and chocolate and cookies in excess (that part I was OK with). I would grit a smile, push through, and be so relieved when December 26th finally arrived. Pretty Grinch-eriffic right?

Thankfully, this Christmas, things shifted. A beyond amazing mother and sister, a killer Christmas Eve sermon, and with some other game changers thrown in there helped shed a light that was brighter than my usual Grinch-ish 'tude. This shift of perspective took me back to the true spirit and gifts of Christmas: Joy, Peace, and Hope.

Often at Christmas time, some are overcome with joy and merriment, others find themselves overwhelmed with sadness and an unpleasant feeling of unsettlement (guilty). Its a time of year that can serve as a reminder of all the incredible gifts and blessings you received throughout the year (joy, peace hope). Or the opposite; a reminder of all the shit that broke, cracked, and fell apart. This is where the flour, eggs, and sugar come in.

In the message at church last night, the preacher compared "life" to "Sugar Cookies". Stick with me. We have all of these "events", or "ingredients", that come together to eventually make us whole. On their own the ingredients that make up sugar cookies are pretty gross. I don't know about you, but I've never really had the urge to sit down and eat a bag of plain flour or a bowl of baking soda with a side of raw egg. And so it is with our lives, sometimes, events on their own suck. Shit happens, its not what you wanted, what you asked for, and you don't know why it happened to you. This time of year, its easy to get caught up in this part, and let the negativity of it all dominate your focus (also guilty). But then, there are sweet spots here and there (sugar and butter- which are good on their own but I don't suggest eating them solo all too often). While shiny, bright, and yummy, in our human minds can easily push these into the shadows. But then we stir things up, mix the good and the bad together, bake at 350 for 12 minutes (or maybe a year), let things cool, and the outcome is usually pretty delicious.

So, my purpose here is, to share my shift in focus experience this Christmas, and if you are feeling Grinch green, to help you shift too. You have probably already unwrapped at the presents under the tree, but your gifts aren't finished. I encourage you to take a minute today and throughout the rest of this holiday season leading up to new years, and go beyond the physical and material to reflect on the true Christmas gifts of joy, peace, and hope you encountered this year. No matter what ingredients you were handed, how much of a mess your cookie dough batter was, or how hot your oven got- they were present. Who and what brought you joy? How did you bring others joy? When did you feel peace? Where did you find hope and who found hope in you?

Bet you have a lot more presents now.

And if your still feeling blue, watch this video. If kids with New Zealand accents in adorable home made costumes and glow sticks cant make you snap out of it, somethings not right.

A Christmas Story- St. Paul's Style


Happy Happy Merry Merry Christmas to All!

Love,
Chelsea