Happy New Year, and welcome to the rest of your life!

As previously discussed, I’m learning to Thrive this year. I’ll be honest, it’s really scary. Just the thought that I’m going to say “no” to people, not worry so much about making sure everyone else is happy and take more time for myself all feels so overwhelming and wrong. It makes me want to change my word for the year because Thrive feels too big, scary and impossible. Ultimately it means changing how I live my life and my mindset. I chose it because this area is my biggest struggle right now. As I said before, I’m surviving but honestly just hating that. I’m missing out on so much, or so it feels.

Then I heard this quote and something just clicked inside of me. I don’t give up, I don’t know how to give up. It’s great that the universe falls in love with a stubborn heart but what I’m hoping is that I will fall in love with my stubborn heart. It’s still amazing to me that just a few words can re-ignite my drive and re-focus me on the path I’m choosing for myself. My hope and prayer is the this year you find words, songs, people, experiences that re-ignite your passion for being alive. That even in the midst of pain and darkness you will keep going, that you stubborn heart will be filled with magic.

2023, here we come!

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer. Her goals are to make a connection with everyone that she can while building community, spreading hope, and sparking change. She believes that while life may not be easy, it is never lived alone.