Are you committed to living your best life?

Last week I spent a day in deep thought about the way I lived in the past year, and considering how I intend to live in the coming year.

Yom Kippur (the second of the Jewish high holy days) is a sober day, but it is also one that always inspires me to consider what I am committing to now.

It’s relatively easy to devote one day to such thoughts and the commitments they entail (even while a day of fasting is challenging and tiring).

But what will all of those thoughts become a week from now?

What about six months from now, and a year from now?

The reality we create reflects our commitments

How will I look back and assess the year when October 2023 rolls around?

This is a truly sobering question.

It requires that I focus on changes to make.

It means clearly choosing paths, as I commit to staying on some I’ve been on, moving away from others, and seeking new directions.

It means considering how I want to show up in my life.

What ways of acting and thinking will I aim to sustain, and what do I feel called to change?

What do I feel excited to create?

The life I reflect back on a year from now will demonstrate my commitment to the actions required to make my intentions a reality.

Commitment = action and sustained dedication

I do not make commitments lightly. I know that they require meaningful, sustained effort.

Making a commitment means not only deciding what I intend to do, but actually taking action — and continuing to take consistent action.

For example, if I commit to developing a new habit, I need to practice it. I can start with introducing small changes. And I know the key is to stick with them and expand on them until the desired state becomes my new normal.

Some habits can shift quickly. I am also aware that many habit changes require longer commitment, and a willingness to resume the focus when the inevitable setbacks interrupt progress.

Another example is choosing how to focus my time and attention. I am considering some activities to let go of — to make space for things I have neglected, or for things I’ve thought about but never started, or for new things that intrigue me now.

By clearly choosing and committing, and staying mindfully in action, I know I can make progress.

It may not be “perfect” every step of the way, and that’s ok.

I will get help when needed. I have tools to turn to when I am unsure of my next steps or veer off-course and need to recommit. I know I can always create new ways forward.

The vision I set will support me to stay on track.

What changes do you want to make?

What changes will make a difference in your wellbeing — physical, emotional, and spiritual?

What do you want to change to make a relationship stronger?

What do you want to start that is calling you? (And will you stop doing something to make space for it?)

In what ways do you yearn to expand — to show up in a bigger way, more authentically, less fearfully, and with more love?

What are you called to do or create that will make the world better? Are there actions you want to take in support of issues that deeply matter to you?

Do not underestimate your ability to impact the world.

When we all show up as our best selves, and commit to taking consistent, courageous action that is aligned with our values and our hearts, our efforts have ripple effect that are world-changing, even as they are life-changing for us.

A meaningful moment to focus on love

If you have read my book, you’ll recall that I devoted a chapter to Love, and propose that loving more is an important way to Live Big.

I believe that love is enormously powerful — love for others, as well as cultivating a practice of self-love.

And, it’s not always easy to lead with love, or to feel that much love in our day-to-day lives.

But this past weekend I was surrounded by profound love. It felt like swimming in love, and it was glorious.

What happens when we have a full immersion experience

I attended an intimate wedding. My cousin was remarrying after being widowed for five years. Not only has she found a fabulous life partner, the event brought multiple families together and we all shared in the magic.

Her family, his family, and the family of her deceased first husband — including four generations — all came together (along with dear friends) to celebrate.

The joy, delight and sweetness of the experience was magical. And the afterglow has been marvelous. Every experience since (including major snafus with our air travel home) has felt lighter and easier as the loving energy continues to be strong.

I am inspired to create more opportunities for abundant love to fill my heart and the hearts of others.

What happens when we choose a year of love

Sunday night at sundown was the start of the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah, when we mark the start of the Jewish New Year.

(If you are unfamiliar with the two high holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, my friend and colleague Victoria Nessen recently shared an excellent article you may want to read.)

Following the 24-hour observance of Rosh Hashanah we spend 10 days reflecting on the past year and thinking about where we may have missed the mark. On Yom Kippur (that begins at sundown on October 4 this year) we fast, repent, and vow to live a more righteous life in the year ahead.

The opportunity to live a life that is fueled by love is an ideal I am striving for.

I was inspired by the words of Rabbi Yael, in her A Way In Jewish Mindfulness email last week, and am glad to share her wisdom with you:

You stand here with all those you love,
And with all those with whom you deeply disagree.

You stand here today with earth and all beings,
To cross over into a renewed relationship
With the Unfolding Mystery of All Life. (Deut. 29:9-14)

How do we cross? How do we enter the New Year?

The Infinite Life Force, commands:
Go with Love.
Love with all your heart and with all your soul,
And walk in the ways of love. (Deut. 30:16)

The soul trembles,
It churns. It cries: Love in the face of all this?

This is not too great a task for you,
The Infinite responds,
It is in your mouth and heart to do. (Deut 30:14)

Choose love.
Love where you can. Love where you are able.
Love those you love with all your heart, soul and strength.
Love the trees, sky, rivers and rocks.
Let this loving make you strong.

There will be times and places where it will be impossible to love.
Let that be.
There is plenty of opportunity to exercise and expand our capacity to love.

As we lift our eyes to a New Year,
The Torah calls: Choose to act from and for love.
For the sake of your children’s, children’s, children,
For the sake of all beings,
For the sake of all life,
Choose to act from and for love. (Deut 30:19-20)

I am deeply moved by this teaching. I believe we can all choose to act from love, and for love. And the more we are able to do so, the better our lives will be.

Will you join me in loving more?

Whether or not you celebrate the Jewish New Year, we all step into new possibilities each day.

We can always endeavor to live our best lives with keen awareness. We can be mindful and choose love.

It is certainly a practice that requires commitment. The more we practice living with love as a driver, the sooner it will become our natural way of being.

Will it be easy? Will any of us be perfect, always loving? Of course not. But as we continue to choose and act from love, the impact is bound to be big, for us and for the world.

Just as the gathering at my cousin’s wedding filled each of us with immense joy, I wish you a sweet year ahead and a heart filled to the brim with love and happiness.