Holding the Empty Space

In the weeks leading up to 2021, every time I thought about the new year, the image that came to mind was of my opened hands, palms up, forming a cup. Curious. I had no idea what it meant, but it felt like a clue.

For decades I’ve been a bit of New Year’s resolutions devotee. I’ve made basic resolutions in my twenties and created elaborate goals and related milestones in my thirties. The last ten years have been more about heart-based intentions – deeper changes on how I wanted to live my life. Always actionable and measurable. But 2021 was proving to be more elusive.

Clearing the Way for the New Year

It had been on my list of “to dos” for way too long. You know those tasks that get transferred from one week to the next, then to the next month, the next season? For me, it was sorting through boxes from my last move. Sounds innocuous enough, but I moved into my home more than five years ago. Sigh…

What moved me forward? Watching the wildfires burn from Los Angeles to Seattle during this record-setting year. I felt a strange combination of fear for those evacuating and my friends who live in those states, awe at the destructive power of nature and reverence for those called to the front lines to combat and report on it.

And then I asked myself this question: “If you needed to quickly evacuate your home, what would you take?”

An Unusual Holiday Season

It was Thanksgiving in the U.S. a few days ago. For me, and I’m guessing for many of you, it was an unusual day. As someone who has celebrated with throngs of relatives my entire life, the quiet was a new experience. But a good day emerged out of the strangeness, one filled with reflection and gratitude.

During a long walk after a minimal but delicious midday holiday meal, I stumbled upon a realization that stopped me in my tracks. This year, with its volatile ups and downs, is no accident. This year is a bridge from where we were to where we’re going. This year is leading us toward new territory. This year is asking us to ready ourselves for the journey ahead. Pow! With that as the backdrop, I thought about the upcoming month. Here are the questions I posed and some musings on each.

The Pros and Cons of Fitness Tracking

For years, I have been a relentless fitness tracker. In the 1990s, I kept paper logs of my workouts and meals. In the 2000s, I graduated to looking up macros online for more precision. When wearables were introduced, I tracked my steps, my heart rate and the distance of my runs. Then apps became commonplace and I was in heaven – one place to keep all of my fitness metrics along with my goals and trending capabilities. Ultimately, fatigue hit.

Business metrics are a way of life in the corporate world and I lived by them for decades. They are still important to me as a business owner, but my daily activities are no longer ruled by incremental measurement. Perhaps this is why I put my fitness tracker and related tools away. Here’s what I learned…

“The Athena Principles” Key Takeaways (Tenth/Final in a Series)

Wellness transformation is like a slow-motion chain reaction. When you find ways to reconnect with yourself, you make better wellness choices to support the aim to live more wholeheartedly. That, in turn, leads to optimized well-being. Again and again, in the thousands of decisions you make each day, you will become more aligned with your deepest desires.

“The Athena Principles” Ongoing Learning Curriculums (Ninth in a Series)

Researchers have shown that learning can change our brain chemistry for the better by improving cognitive connections and adaptability to change. In addition, learning deepens our understanding of different subject matters, helping us to stay relevant and engaged.

Learning new things about interesting topics also fuels enthusiasm, especially if you build this learning into your everyday life. Daily learning keeps you curious and can lead you outside of your comfort zone (where the magic happens) to an overall richer, more creative life experience.

“The Athena Principles” Morning & Evening Routines (Eighth in a Series)

Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” A great way to keep yourself aligned, on-track and engaged is to establish and follow a workable morning and evening routine. I haven’t met or read about someone I respect who doesn’t have some sort of daily routine, especially in wellness, sports or business. Once I understood that their lives were built deliberately, I began emulating their practices until I found a combination that worked well for me.

“The Athena Principles” Accountability – Principle 5 (Seventh in a Series)

The last of five Principles outlined in The Athena Principles, Simple Wellness Practices for Overworked Professionals is Accountability. Okay, I admit it, this isn’t the sexiest of the Principles. But I define accountability as a systematic way to check in with what you commit to accomplish, celebrate the wins, and compassionately adjust where needed. It’s also a powerful determinant of whether or not your wellness intentions will be realized.

“The Athena Principles” Growth Mindset – Principle 4 (Sixth in a Series)

The fourth of five Principles outlined in The Athena Principles, Simple Wellness Practices for Overworked Professionals is Growth Mindset. How the wellness journey is viewed determines one’s level of progress and enjoyment. When you adopt a growth mindset, you begin to focus on what is right in your life. The more you practice this mindset, the more you’ll being to experience challenges as opportunities that will, in turn, position you to move forward with more confidence and ease.

“The Athena Principles” Consistency – Principle 3 (Fifth in a Series)

The third of five Principles outlined in The Athena Principles, Simple Wellness Practices for Overworked Professionals is Consistency, defined as the art of staying committed and engaged, especially during challenging times. When working toward improving well-being, consistent action is the critical factor in determining success because it leads to reliable outcomes and results. The reverse is true as well – inconsistent action usually equates to less-than-optimal results.

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