Just be

During the first few days of every year it seems that I read a magazine article, watch a television commercial or view a news program that starts off with the phrase, "New Year—New You." These pieces always suggest that the new year is the perfect time to start again, to lose all the weight we ever gained, to find the love of our life, to get a new hairdo, to get rid of the old and embrace the new, and to change into something better than what we were before.

Give me a break.

I have to confess, there is something about those words, "New Year—New You," that just doesn't sit right with me. They annoy me. Okay, they annoy me a lot. I mean WHY would any woman really want to be a "new you" in the new year? Haven't most of us worked really hard to create who we are? Why is new better? Why is such complete change so good for us? Isn't it okay to be who we are? I just don't see the need for all that new stuff. The way I see it you are already wonderful, unique, a work of art, a one of a kind. You are on the journey of creating you, discovering who you are, defining what matters, making relationships and building your life. You have put a lot of time, consideration and heart into all the decisions you've made to create the one and only you. I am pretty sure that a new hairdo won't make you happy.

So, instead of looking at making yourself all over again this coming year, I'd like to encourage you to just Be. Be Yourself. Be everything that you are. Be happy. Be sad. Embrace the world in your own way. Believe in yourself. Believe in your instincts. Be Passionate. Go for it. Live a life that matters. Put your heart into everything you do. Be loud. Get excited. Give them hell. Be curious. Go out on a limb. Live in the moment. Take a moment to give thanks. Just be.