Are you content with the status quo? Have you been afraid to live big? Speak up about what matters to you?

 

Think about the feelings or desires you are avoiding or covering up to fit in, keep the peace or not be hurt? Is it not doing what you really want to do?   Worried you won’t be appreciated or valued? Fear of not being loved?

 

How about if you made 2018 the year of YOU? Being the maverick, the go-getter or being bold and going after what you want with no restrictions. Yes, even this old.

 

One of the greatest blessings in life is to do the work you love – to be useful and to make a difference. Everyone has something to contribute – kindness, compassion and support.

 

What is it for you?

 

I read about Ben Rogers, graduating from OU Law School, May 2017 at 68. My friend and colleague received her PhD 8 years after she retired at 68. Dr Barbara Boyd, 70, has just completed her manuscript for her new book, The Wisdom Years, A Guide to Intentional Living.

 

I just listened to an interview with Maria Shriver and Dan Buettner. Dan does research on the Blue Zones, known as the areas where the healthiest and happiest people in the world live. What he found that pertains to you and I, is that these places focused on the quality of life.  

 

Which is what I want you to do for 2018. I want you to step up and live a happy and healthy life.

 

I don’t want you to survive, I want you to thrive.

I don’t want you to live by default, I want you to live by design.

 

And, that begins with knowing what that is for YOU.

 

Last year, the top New Year’s Resolutions “Googled” were:

   1      “Get Healthy” – over 62 million searches

    2      “Get Organized” – over 33 million searches

    3      “Live Life to the Fullest” – nearly 19 million searches

    4      “Learn New Hobbies” – over 17 million searches

 

You know why ideas like “Get Healthy” don’t work. It’s too broad. It’s not specific to you.

What does that really mean? For you to have success, it has to match what you need and want.

 

Just like this year, 2017, I said I wanted to eat healthier. Guess, what, I have had quite the opportunity. I found out I was gluten and dairy intolerant. So now, I found the detail needed. I had to really read labels. I had to understand what that meant and what foods were involved. Let me tell you, not much of what I ate fit the guidelines. A whole new world opened for me.  

 

So as you think about 2018 to be the year to live happy and healthy, how will you begin?

 

Begin by going within yourself and ask some of these questions:

Who am I today?

What do I stand for?

What am I here to give?

What am I here to enjoy?

What am I here to learn?

 

Your vision is for you. It’s the gift of life you have been given.

 

Let 2018 be the year of great purpose and meaning for you.

 

First, define what that will be for you. For example, the broad overview would look like:

happy for me is having loving relationships, being in alignment with my heart and soul’s desires, being outdoors, and making a difference. Healthy is being connected to God, being physically active, eating healthy and having a positive mind and thoughts.  

 

Next, decide where you need to focus to be more in alignment with what you want and where you are. Ask – Where are you out of sync?

 

Then, choose a specific area to make some goals. Like my eat healthy. I need lots more work on cleaning out my diet to live gluten and dairy free. As well, as I know I need to rid myself of sugar.

 

Finally, take the inspired actions you know will lead you to success. Take baby steps toward your big goals so you can feel progress. You want momentum.  

 

Create positive habits and routines for yourself.

 

Each morning, review your goals, set the intentions for the day to ensure you will make progress toward a happy and healthy life.

 

The more you do something, the easier it will be for you. And, before you know it, you will meet your goal.

 

Nobody grows old by living a number of years.

People grow old when they desert their ideals.

Years wrinkle the skin,

but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”

— Samuel Ullman

 

How do you plan on Championing A New Model of what’s possible for retirement? The world needs you. We need new models of what is possible.

 

As Abraham-Hicks says, “The best you can do for anyone is to thrive fully and be willing to explain to anyone who asks how it is that you are thriving, and what it is that you’ve discovered.”

 

Share with me specifically what you are going to bring forth in 2018 to live happily and healthy at my email dottie@dottiehager.com

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!