Throughout our lives we're offered many opportunities to start anew. Whether it's going to college far from home, moving to the big city after graduation, starting a dream job, or entering into a new relationship, we can rest assured knowing that at some point we'll get the chance to start fresh again. While an amazing opportunity in so many ways, it also leaves us with the responsibility to make each new beginning better than the last.
It's a fact that I've had many new beginnings in my life. Whether looking at my job history, friends, or significant others, each new beginning has taught me something profound that I'll always carry with me. The new knowledge learned and life experiences gained have hopefully given us insight into what to do (or what not to do) next time around. This idea of new beginnings always reminds me of a quote from the 2001 movie, Vanilla Sky,
"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around."
"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around."
Many times the new beginnings in our lives occur outside of our control... our parents move us four states away when we're five years old, a boyfriend or girlfriend breaks up with us out of the blue, or a job is lost due to downsizing and budget cuts. Those situations, like so many others, happen beyond our control. But what about the new beginnings that we can control? What about those decisions that allow us to turn it all around?
I look around at my friends and loved ones and can't help but notice the number of chances we didn't take. Opportunities we've had to start fresh but instead let slip away due to fear of failure or the opinions of others or uncertainly in the unknown or lack of funds or going against the grain of society/family/friends, and so on, and so on... It's so much easier sometimes to just stick with the status quo, not change unless forced to, and shy away from new situations that require too much work.
I often consider the 22 year old version of myself. Fresh out of college, so much opportunity before her, full of ambition, energy, and optimism, yet deep down inside, terrified to start new. Leaving the safe bubble of college and friends, clinging to whatever semblance of "normalcy" that she could, making decisions based on others' expectations... if I could go back in time and give her a nice swift kick in the butt, I'd give it serious thought. But I know deep down inside I'd let her be. Let her handle the challenges that would follow, knowing that each new beginning beyond her control would ultimately prepare her to finally step out on her own and take a chance that was in her control. Take that chance to turn it all around for herself.
So I ask you this, what have you been wanting to do lately that would be your moment to turn it all around? Calling a long lost friend to make amends? Starting that new exercise plan? Taking a class to change your career? Saying hello to that stranger you saw at the coffee shop? Whatever it would be, I challenge you to take that chance. You'll never know your strength until you give yourself a shot to show it, and you'll never know your new beginnings until you take the chance to own them.
Yes, it can be scary. Yes, you might get turned down. And yes, it might mean something else has to end. But sometimes that's exactly what we need in order to grow into the person we were meant to become. What we learn from each new beginning is a reflection on our past. We acted this way, we said that thing, we rushed this stuff... we know better for next time, whether that next time is in two months, two years, or two decades. Don't be afraid of the new beginnings and don't be afraid of the endings that often accompany the new beginnings. As you face your fears and take control of your chances, remember the wise words of Semisonic, "...every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
Be happy for who you are. Be grateful for what you have.
I look around at my friends and loved ones and can't help but notice the number of chances we didn't take. Opportunities we've had to start fresh but instead let slip away due to fear of failure or the opinions of others or uncertainly in the unknown or lack of funds or going against the grain of society/family/friends, and so on, and so on... It's so much easier sometimes to just stick with the status quo, not change unless forced to, and shy away from new situations that require too much work.
I often consider the 22 year old version of myself. Fresh out of college, so much opportunity before her, full of ambition, energy, and optimism, yet deep down inside, terrified to start new. Leaving the safe bubble of college and friends, clinging to whatever semblance of "normalcy" that she could, making decisions based on others' expectations... if I could go back in time and give her a nice swift kick in the butt, I'd give it serious thought. But I know deep down inside I'd let her be. Let her handle the challenges that would follow, knowing that each new beginning beyond her control would ultimately prepare her to finally step out on her own and take a chance that was in her control. Take that chance to turn it all around for herself.
So I ask you this, what have you been wanting to do lately that would be your moment to turn it all around? Calling a long lost friend to make amends? Starting that new exercise plan? Taking a class to change your career? Saying hello to that stranger you saw at the coffee shop? Whatever it would be, I challenge you to take that chance. You'll never know your strength until you give yourself a shot to show it, and you'll never know your new beginnings until you take the chance to own them.
Yes, it can be scary. Yes, you might get turned down. And yes, it might mean something else has to end. But sometimes that's exactly what we need in order to grow into the person we were meant to become. What we learn from each new beginning is a reflection on our past. We acted this way, we said that thing, we rushed this stuff... we know better for next time, whether that next time is in two months, two years, or two decades. Don't be afraid of the new beginnings and don't be afraid of the endings that often accompany the new beginnings. As you face your fears and take control of your chances, remember the wise words of Semisonic, "...every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
Be happy for who you are. Be grateful for what you have.
No comments:
Post a Comment