What would others say about who you are?

 

Are you walking the talk about who you are intending to be?

 

As Stephen Covey said in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, what would you want people- your children, your grandchildren, your siblings, friends, or colleagues, say about you at your funeral or 85th birthday?

 

What are the stories or themes that are important to you and your life?

 

Begin designing your life with that end in mind.

 

You have probably experienced enough funerals to know what stories your friends’ or family’s lives represented. Just like my friend, Melanie, who transitioned this time last year. She was the Ultimate Sooner Fan. Her casket was crimson, everything about her represented Sooners. Even at the end of her service, a 3-person brass group played Boomer Sooner. It was amazing, you felt Melanie. She lived that story.

 

Think about celebrations that moved you. Let those clues help define what matters to you.

 

Pema Chödrön shares four of the most important virtues are loving-kindness, compassion, joyfulness and equanimity. Are these ones that matter to you?

 

Live and plan your life ensuring that your words and actions align. Start with questions like – how is your work, your parenting, your interactions with others all speaking out loud the story you want told? For instance, if you say family is first. Then, have you filled those big rocks in each day or weekly to make sure your family feels that, not just coming home from work. But spending undivided time with them, honouring what they need too? The words are easy to say. I know for many people of our generations, kids would say the parents were too busy working and didn’t have time for them. As parents, our “excuse or justification” was we were making a living so they could have what they wanted. Not the story you thought you were leaving.

 

It’s up to you the story you want told.

 

I love thinking I am living boldly and purposefully. Giving others permission to go after what they want.

 

I want my purpose and my story to be the light, the trailblazer that helped you see possibilities and achieve what you wanted.

 

Find your passion, your gifts and live that. Let that speak loudly about you.

 

You have a story that needs to be felt, seen or heard.

 

That’s why it’s so important to know what you want with your life. Not just be busy and go through the motions of life.

 

You were created for a purpose and a message. You are a mirror for others to see. What do you want radiating out strongly about who you are and your purpose in life?

 

As the new year begins, take time to ensure that the person you want to be is the person you are living today and tomorrow. How do you know?

 

If you feeling peaceful, loving and content then you know you are living in alignment with the desires of your heart.

If you are stressed, overwhelmed or sad, then you are not living the life you know you are meant to live.

 

Whatever matters to you, should be how you prioritize and live your life.

 

What shift (s) do you need to live loudly the story of your life the way you want it shared? Make that your 2018 resolution.