“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”

“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”

L. M. Montgomery, 20th century Canadian author

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

One of my granddaughter’s favorite toys is a plastic castle from the Disney animated film Frozen.

In addition to all the lights and sounds emanating from this purple and pink fairy tale toy is the song, “Let It Go” which she plays over and over, often skipping other amusing tunes from the film.

Perhaps this repeated message is for the adults around her to leave our yesterdays behind and to start each new day with a clean slate.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life are you holding on and reliving mistakes from your past?

What are some ways you can let them go to sing or hum the song of a brand-new day?

What would be possible if you released the urge to judge and criticize yourself and others?

What would be possible if you released the urge to judge and criticize yourself and others?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Markus Winkler

How often do you catch yourself judging and being critical of yourself and others?

When you do notice, what is this inner voice saying?

How much trouble would you be in if these inner thoughts were vocalized and put on an external speaker? What if these criticisms were sent in a text or email and there was no way to take them back?

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to keep some of these messages from being delivered even when we remain silent.

Facial expressions and body language clues give us away, resulting in others judging us in turn.

EXERCISE:

How would greater openness, kindness, and assuming positive intentions from others improve your world?

What would it look like if everyone made the same effort?

How can and will you take the lead in this area, starting today?

Vulnerability is a source of so many wonderful aspects of life

Vulnerability is a source of so many wonderful aspects of life. You must, however, let go to receive them.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Dmitry Berdnyk

It’s counterintuitive that in order to receive what we want and need, we must let go of things we have. After all, if we hold on tightly to things, we get to keep what we have indefinitely.

What if we desire love, acceptance, adventure, and the feeling of belonging to our various communities?

What must we let go of to receive these very human desires?

What’s at risk when we desire the rewards of a full and happy life?

EXERCISE:

Where and how do you avoid the risks of being vulnerable?

How do you protect yourself from the bumps and bruises life can dish out?

Consider exploring the books and other works of Brene Brown to discover insights you may not have considered.