Today is a New Day!
Author: Mary Beth Lang

"Today is a new day." Have you ever stopped to think about what that means to you? Each new day provides each of us with so many opportunities to live a fuller and healthier life. In what ways are you holding yourself back?

Defined by the Past

Do you ever feel like you are put in a box by the people who know you? They expect you to act, dress, and respond a certain way based on their past experience of you. Have you allowed yourself to become defined by your past?

There is nothing wrong with being fairly predictable, but if the expectations of others make you hesitant to experiment with yourself and your lifestyle, it can really hold you back. Have you ever seen an outfit that you just loved, but then held back from buying it or wearing it just because it wasn't your usual style? Did you fear judgment, ridicule, or questioning stares? Have you ever wanted to try a new activity or take up a hobby from your younger years, and then held back or put it off indefinitely? Did you wonder if you were too old? Would your friends laugh because you "definitely aren't the athletic type" or "the artistic type" or whatever?

I say embrace each new day as a gift and an opportunity to be whoever the heck you want to be, even if it's just for one day. Take a risk. Wear a new style. Respond differently, unexpectedly and honestly. Be known for your fearlessness and confidence. Dare to be interesting. After the initial shock, people are more likely to admire you than ridicule you. In fact, you may be surprised how little others take notice at all, because people (other than your immediate family) really aren't all that interested in your doings. No offense, but everyone is already preoccupied with their own universe in which they play a starring role. At most, you are just a supporting actor.

Fearful

Are you scared to try something new for fear of failure? What do you gain from not trying at all? The answer is nothing. If you try and fail, you might at least gain some insight into yourself and your strengths and weaknesses. You may meet new people. You may encounter new opportunities. Stretching yourself may even improve your confidence in your ability to meet new challenges. You may learn to persevere. You may become stronger and more self-reliant. At the very least, you may learn to handle failure gracefully. So, even if you completely and utterly fail at whatever you attempt, you should be able to glean something positive from the experience. Let me qualify this statement by saying that I'm obviously not talking about some lunatic's attempt to fly by jumping off a 20-story building. You get my point.

If your fear of engaging in a full life is debilitating then please find a wonderful therapist to help you out. Otherwise, use this day as an opportunity to try something new, big or small. Really stretch yourself. May you be pleasantly surprised with the joys of success you are bound to encounter. Remember, no one succeeds or fails all the time. Take what good you can from each experience and move on- farther than you would have ever gone had you not tried at all.

Guilt Ridden

Are you so full of guilt that you constantly obsess and "beat yourself up?" A bad deed does not make you forever a bad person. You have free will. You can change. You can be a better person than you were yesterday. Use this new day to forgive yourself and to right wrongs to the best of your ability. Actions do speak louder than words, so make your apologies and then show yourself and the world that you hold yourself to a higher standard of behavior than you did in the past.

Victim of Self-Neglect

Have you spent years trying to lose that last ___ pounds? Is your diet shameful? Do you rarely, if ever, find time to exercise? Are you living in a chronic state of stress? Do you wake up every morning saying, "Today I'll be in control," only to slip into the same neglectful routine? Being a registered nurse, I have seen first-hand what happens after years of unchecked stress and self-neglect. It's never pretty and always sad. Stop expecting perfection from yourself, so you'll no longer be able to use the excuse, "Oh well, I'll start again tomorrow." Simply commit each new day to make as many good choices as you can, and commit to improving that number over time. Take a short walk instead of watching TV. Choose water or juice over soda. Eat one extra fruit or vegetable today. Eat just half of that candy bar instead of the whole thing. Do not dwell on the poor choices, but pat yourself on the back for each positive one. Be mindful of the choices that you make every waking hour. It's not too late to improve your state of health and fitness.

Today is a new day! Dare to have some fun. Dare to try something new. Find it in yourself to forgive yourself and others. Treat yourself in a loving manner. Lighten up your load and live well. Life is too short to do anything less.






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Mary Beth Lang is a professional life coach who works with people in the areas of life transformation and personal excellence. For more information on personal coaching call her at 636-536-1837 or visit her website at www.langcoaching.com. Be sure to sign up for her free, monthly "Food for Thought" newsletter.

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