My New Year’s Resolution: To Be

On a morning run a few years ago when I lived in Seattle, I noticed a sign on the corner that read, “Imagine Life With A View,” advertising new condo units on Lake Union. It got me thinking about the things I hope for in my life and the dreams and visions for my future. Those things we spend our entire lives striving towards. The endless plans, intentions and to-do lists.

It’s New Year’s Day. Feelings of relief, excitement, motivation and hope fill my mind and heart today, along with a sense of urgency to make resolutions, change habits, start new projects, and to dream big. Dreaming of the person I could be and the life I could have if I change this, fix that, exercise more, drink less, make more money. Imagining my life with a view, as that sign prompted me to do.

This morning, after only being awake for 30 minutes, I’d already gone through my plans, goals and visions for the entire 12 months ahead. A grand to-do list for 2021, including all the things I want to do differently in terms of my daily habits, work, finances, relationships, community service, fitness, health, hobbies, etc.

And then there was the list just for today. Make breakfast, walk the dog, exercise, shower, take down the Christmas tree, put out the recycling, clean the bathroom, start a new book, schedule a haircut, make a meal plan for next week, write 1,000 words, practice piano, work on projects.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to-do lists. The clarity they help bring in starting off my days and the satisfaction of checking off each item when completed (preferably with fun, colorful pens and highlighters for maximum check-off-as-completed satisfaction).

But what if instead of all the planning and doing, or at least in addition to all the planning and doing, I could just be? To be fully present in this very moment. To accept, welcome and be grateful for this current reality of my life, my world, my self, my breath. Breathing in deeply, breathing out fully. The breath continuously replenishing and sustaining life, bringing energy and also bringing calm.

What if I am enough, just as I am in this moment, without all of those to-dos and resolutions? Right here and now. I am enough in this moment.

Today I thought about that sign again. I don’t need to imagine a life with a view, I already have one. It might not be a lake view from a luxury condominium, but it’s the sparkling sunlight coming through the living room window and the intricate shapes the light makes on the furniture and across the walls. It’s my little dog sitting next to me, full of life and contentment. The hot cup of freshly brewed coffee in my hand. All the sounds, music and sensations around me, and in my body. The gratitude I feel for simply being here in this moment.

This moment is all I’ve got…all we’ve got. In this moment I am enough. You are enough. This year, resolve to just be. Right here, right now, look around you and take in the view, whatever that view may be for you.

In this moment, be present, be filled with gratitude, be love, be yourself, be alive.