Posted: by Jo Thursday, 29 August 2019 @ 12:22
September always feels to me like a month for
new beginnings - harking back to the start of the new school year. Even so many
years later, it still has that resonance for me.
Heading off to university - my first big
adventure away from home; embarking on a month interrailing around Europe;
setting off on a 3 month adventure around the US, after uni; beginning my first
proper job - each of these seminal moments in my life all took place in
Septembers.
For me, and for many of us - September therefore
feels like the perfect month to embrace the mantra,
‘I trust in new beginnings’
What can we learn from this mantra?
‘Trust’ is one of the most important words in
this phrase. Believing and trusting that a new start is for the best, and that
it will bring us what we need, is a great attitude to have in life. Fear of
change, and fear of starting something new, can keep us trapped in our present
reality, and stop us from growing and developing.
I personally find this really hard. I am not
someone who embraces change. I love things which are familiar and part of my
routine. I often eat the same thing for lunch every day (tuna salad, if you’re
asking!); I love to go back to the same places on holiday, where I know I’ll
have a good time; I don’t really want to move house, because I love so many
things about where I live.
So, the instruction to have faith, to trust
that new beginnings are always a good thing, is a difficult concept for me.
But what do we mean by ‘new beginnings’? Does
it have to be a completely new start, which changes everything about our life?
I don’t think so. I believe we can experience
a new start, a new beginning, simply by changing our mindset.
It’s about an attitude shift, that celebrates
a growth mindset of being open to new ideas, approaches and opportunities,
instead of a fixed mindset of trying to keep things the same.
So, a new beginning could be as simple as a
change to our routine; or a commitment to think about things differently. To
embrace gratitude and count our blessings, instead of noticing negatives. To
resolve to be braver in our decisions. To say yes to more adventures. To be more
intentional about our day.
Having an open mind and being willing to try
new things is certainly good for us. It keeps us curious about life, gives us
energy and enthusiasm, builds our confidence, and makes us feel younger and
more alert.
So, I am resolving to embrace more change and
variety in my life throughout September; to open my mind to more new
opportunities; to remember that each new day is a chance to see things
differently; and to see new beginnings as the start of something wonderful, not
something to worry about.
Share your stories with us – do you embrace
change and long for a new start? Or are you happy with your life right now, but
keep an open mind about future possibilities?
To remind you to live this month’s mantra,
our Lotus Flower Necklace, symbolising a new beginning each day, is 15%
off this month.
