January 2025: Be More Loving

Hello, January 2025-

Welcome to the new year! Naturally, this season invites us into reflection and resetting for the year ahead. I have never been one for resolutions, however I feel strongly about intentions. To me, life becomes more expansive when we add intentions into our life, rather than try to remove shortcomings. It's a reframe into a more hopeful and optimistic way of being. 

In the name of accountability, I'd like to share an intention I am setting for myself in the new year: to be more loving. Let me elaborate...

Throughout the holiday season, I noticed myself getting annoyed and frustrated by perfect strangers. People on the road, people bulldozing in lines, or moving around with such unawareness of others' space at the grocery store. It bothered me that I was so bothered. One day, a man driving next to me cut me off and I said something aloud to the effect of, "you moron." And as soon as it came out of my mouth, without thinking, I blurted out, "LUCY, BE LOVING." I stopped myself in my tracks and realized that the antidote to all the chaos, is to simply be more loving to everyone around you. To offer grace and understanding, because we don't know what's happening in someone's life that day.

I started applying this intention every time I left my house. I found that being loving is actually a choice and it has an impact on myself, and others. Instead of quietly passing by someone walking their dog, I smile and greet them -- this is love in action. Instead of silently waiting for the clerk to ring me up, I ask them how they're doing -- this is love in action. Instead of getting upset by the person moving at lightning speed at the grocery store -- I smile and let them pass me, this is love in action. Many people go about their day without loving interactions - some people don't even get noticed and feel invisible. Apathy is sometimes worse than a negative interaction. We are all here, doing our best; and if we slow down and intentionally open our hearts....the world feels much more peaceful.

Wishing you an intentional and loving month ahead.

Warmly,  

 Lucy