[fusion_youtube id=”https://youtu.be/mLon8mbVwpk” alignment=”” width=”” height=”” autoplay=”false” api_params=”&rel=0″ hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” css_id=””][/fusion_youtube]A pattern I noticed over the last few years is that each year seems to be book-ended by a theme.

2017 was about Extreme Ownership. Taking full responsibility for everything in my life.

2018 was about Self Awareness.

So what did my self awareness teach me in 2018?

Selfishness is good. Selfishness for good reasons leads to selflessness for others. You can’t take care of others if you can’t take care of yourself.

My health is a battle not between my body and myself but between my mind and myself. Some days, victory is swift. Other days, it’s a full on war. Keep fighting the battle until the battle is won.

You can’t give people everything, all the time. Because some people will take everything, all the time. Because their lives are empty, they want to fill themselves up with you. Giving sometimes is ok. Giving all the time is not. Don’t be afraid to shut the tap off. If not, eventually you won’t like the person you become. Trust me.

Have the courage to be happy. Being unhappy is easy. We complain about people, taxes, money, love-lives … yet do nothing about it. When you find that happiness, it’s like finding an oasis in the desert of unhappiness. You won’t want to go anywhere else.

Defend your beliefs. It’s better to be vilified for what you believe than to be accepted for what you don’t. Staying true to yourself is easier than pretending to be something that you’re not. So stop pretending.

The people you surround yourself with really do matter. When you find that right mix of people, the ones who encourage you, support you, edify you … you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.

You are the sum of your experiences. Make your experiences good.

Writing with purpose has brought me so much joy. I would kick myself for not doing it sooner. But each day brings me an opportunity to positively impact someone else. That overshadows any regret I might feel. So that thing you always wanted to do? Do it. Trust me. You’ll love it.

If you don’t have one, start defining your purpose. A life with purpose is the difference between living and existing. It also illuminates your path when the darkness comes. And it will come. Purpose prevents you from getting lost in the darkness until the dawn comes. And it will come.

You are the author of your own story. The story you write will become your legacy. Write the story you want to tell.

Here is to a Happy, Prosperous and Exciting 2019!