In typical end of year fashion, I always reflect back on my accomplishments, my goals and my failures for the year. These reflections serve as the next step in my journey of life.
This year, although filled with many personal educational achievements, career and running successes, I still managed to elude my goal of peak health and wellness. It wasn't for lack of exercise, meditation, conversation and bit of complaining. I have to admit, I did manage to find a better balance between family, life and career expectations than I have had in a long time, but my overall physical health wasn't optimal.
This year, I've picked my one word focus to be "Lean". This word has many meanings and implications on the year to come. It refers not only to my goal to eat better to heal my body, to fight disease and to provide my body what it needs to perform better, to be stronger and to reach my fitness goals. It also refers to relationships, the need to "lean into" others more, to give to others, to strengthen relationships and to create stronger connections. It refers to "lean out" my life, the need to have fewer material things, make smarter financial decisions and focus on experiences, not things. "Lean" refers to my flexibility, risk taking and ability to enjoy the discomfort of exploring life with inquiry and an open mind.
As I embark on the 2017 journey of "Lean" I think I found the perfect guide, "How to Live a Good Life" by Jonathan Fields. It basically takes all of the self-help books I've read over the last few years and put it into reasonable daily actions to help readers live a good life.
I would encourage you, if you have ever wondered about self improvement to check it out. It's a simple read, broken down into easy to follow actions. In 30 days, you just may be on the path to knowing yourself a little bit better. Pick a theme, grab the book and join me with the goal to make 2017 the best one yet!
