Dear friend, Begin Again.

Dear friend,

Let’s start by talking about Taylor Swift. In my opinion, one of her best songs is “Begin Again.”

I mean, look at these lyrics: “I’ve been spending the last eight months, thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end, but on a Wednesday in a cafe I watched it begin again.”

Why do we think starting over is impossible? I think it’s because we believe all of the things that have stopped us before will continue stopping us from beginning again. Our circumstances, our pride, our lack of self-confidence.

But I know better. I know that the pride that stopped you from apologizing to that person you hurt has learned from it. I know this time you’ll be quick to acknowledge your mistakes.

I know that the lack of self-confidence that held you back from making that move or going for that job is waning and that small voice inside you is nudging forward toward your desired life.

Beginning again doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. It means starting right where you are with what you have and with the knowledge that you have everything you need.

Let me quote another song, Gavin Degraw’s Belief: “Belief makes things real.”

Beginning again means believing in the outcome you want. Believing in your ability to overcome obstacles. Believing that you deserve the life you are creating.

I think is also starts with forgiving yourself. For mistakes, for any pain you’ve caused, and even for lack of action. Forgiving yourself for holding on too tight to relationships that held you back and for letting others make boundaries and decisions for you.

My dear friend - you are worthy of your own forgiveness.

Your humanity means there are more mistakes and missteps to come but you know now that if you own them those mistakes have the power to push you forward and continue to shape you.

What if starting again is just a collection of small choices every day? What if you wake up today and chose to drink a glass of water? And then you do it again tomorrow? And what if the next day you chose to make one small move to start your business/self care regimen/job search/etc?

No matter what I am believing with you that you can begin again, right here and now, with exactly what you have. You have everything you need and more, dear friend.