How to Give Yourself a Fresh Start

by Peter Jacobson

I’m relaunching this blog.

And to do that I'm giving myself a fresh start.

I’ve published dozens of blog articles on a previous version of this blog. I may end up repurposing some of them later but for now I love the idea of starting with a clean slate.

I have to admit: I have a love/hate relationship with writing. I guess it’s like any act of creation – it’s a constant struggle to give birth to something that feels worthy of being shared with the world. But writing can also be wonderful, one of the most rewarding human endeavors. There is no other activity I do that brings such clarity, order and organization to my thinking.

So yes, it’s time for me to start writing blog articles again.

In this initial post, I'd like to share 5 ideas that I’m using to guide me in this fresh start. (These could apply to any creative endeavor.)

1. Forgive

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful forces we have to begin anew. Without forgiveness we would be constantly weighed down by the grudges and bad feelings we have towards one another and ourselves. Forgiveness wipes the slate clean, bringing us back to a blank canvas of infinite possibilities. What do I need to forgive? Well, I’ve been inspired to write a regular blog for years now. Literally years. But something always seemed to stop me – other priorities, fear, perfectionism, resistance, imposter syndrome, inertia. I could give myself a hard time about this. Or I could say: 

I forgive myself for not acting on my inspiration sooner.

2. Be Courageous

My friend Megan Macedo says our job is to make ourselves visible to the world. If you’re anything like me, this takes courage. Over the past 10 years, I’ve written hundreds of emails to our subscribers. But that has always felt relatively safe because my writing stayed within the confines of the inbox. A blog is different. It’s a much more public space. Yes, it’s curated but still one that feels vulnerable, open to criticism and scrutiny. Nevertheless, I feel a deep calling to share myself fully through this medium. 

I choose to be courageous and make myself visible to the world.

3. Practice Humility

In addition to courage, I am choosing to practice humility and have a beginner’s mind. This seems like an ideal antidote to perfectionism. How could I be perfect? I’m just a humble beginner! Humility is an attitude of curiosity and discovery which sure beats an attitude of judgment and righteousness.

I practice humility, acknowledging there’s always something new to learn.

4. Collaborate with the Divine

When I believe that’s it little ol’ separate me doing the creating, it’s a daunting and overwhelming feeling. But when I open myself up to the infinite intelligence and boundless creativity of the Divine (or God or whatever other term you prefer) I simply become a channel. Instead of relying on the small ego self, I embrace the real self, which mystic Joel Goldsmith defines as, “the embodiment of infinite spiritual ideas and activities forever expressing Itself without limit or restraint.”

I ask the Divine to speak through me.

5. Commit

I’m sure you’ve heard this quote by William H. Murray: “The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too…Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

My best friend Mick has been an embodiment of this quote, writing a weekly blog for over 3 years! His commitment to his work is deeply inspiring for me. And, because I’m a little bit competitive, I need to at least match his commitment. So that’s why…

I commit to writing a weekly blog article for the rest of 2024.

***

Recently, I heard the comedian Jimmy Carr say, “You are what the world ordered.” I love this idea. We were all given talents and gifts not to keep to ourselves but to use for a higher purpose or calling.

What are you being called to do? Is there a creative project inside you clamoring to get out? Or a fractured relationship in your life that is calling out for healing and repair? Or maybe there's a new business or non-profit ready to be founded?

I’m choosing to give myself a fresh start.

I invite you to join me.

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