Precious Time

A new year fills us with anticipation, as it seems to be the perfect moment to try to change or improve our lifestyle. Some already have that famous list of goals and resolutions, destinations to visit, things to buy, or they want to complete the tasks from the previous year. This time can be the start of something new in our lives.

The years do not pass by in vain, but we acquire experiences that teach us lessons for the rest of our lives. During the past six months, I have thought and learned about a lot of things and thus I would like to share with you some ideas and exercises I learned from important people in my life. Some of these are easy to apply, whereas others require some time, but are worth trying.

Surround yourself with people who make you think about your decisions, who offer valuable advice and who listen to you in your best moments when everything shines, but also in dark and difficult times. People who don’t judge you for your faults, but always tell you the truth and help you grow. This kind of people to whom you can open your heart, and you know that if you stumble and fall, they will be there to help you get back on your feet.

Spend time alone doing something you really enjoy, like a stroll through the woods or in the mountains, in those places where you can breathe fresh air and feel free. Or sitting in a park and just appreciating what is around you, reading a good book in a cafe where you have never been before or in your own home, or being your own chef and cooking your favorite dish. These are moments in which we can deepen our understanding of who we really are, what we are doing and what we want to achieve. This is a time to be honest with ourselves.

In your personal time, you can write down your favorite phrases, whether they are from movies, books or people you have talked to, or also your own thoughts and what you have learned during the day or the week. All you need is a notebook and a pencil. Afterwards you will see that everything you write will be of value.

Spend time with friends, since there is nothing better than bursting into laughter, sharing stories and celebrating successes and of course birthdays. Feel the support of this group of people who have stayed with you and care about you. Let’s not always wait for them to look for us, but also just look for them and make those moments happen.

Take heart and do something different by finding an organization where your skills and abilities can be of help. If you don’t know what your skills are, this is the moment to find out! Join a group that carries out social or environmental projects, and don’t ask for anything in return but simply enjoy helping others. The reward will come later.

Listen to stories. Sometimes we are so focused on ourselves, on our next trip, on work, money or our next conquest in life, that we don’t pause for a moment and take the time to listen properly and find out how special and interesting a story and the person who tells it can be. Pay attention to its details, its form and what it reveals about the personality who experienced it. Sharing these moments brings us closer to people and helps us understand and appreciate them.

The days get shorter and shorter and time is slipping through our fingers, so let’s appreciate every day in our life.

I hope that this shall be a successful year and a great start of many opportunities and challenges. Let’s break the routine and leave our fear of the unknown behind.

Thank you very much for all the support I have received and for your precious time!