2015: A New Road Sign

I love a new year! It's not because I believe that everything changes from 11:59-12:00 just because the numbers of the year read differently. I love a new year because it's an annual life benchmark upon which to reflect. Reflection is key to direction, right? One of my favorite quotes reads, "If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else." Lawrence J. Peter

On the road, we follow traffic signs that govern our path. Without a great deal of active thought, we respond to green lights, stop signs, posted speed limits, and a variety of other signs that regulate how we operate our vehicles at any given moment. I began to think, metaphorically, about my road sign "profile". I would say, somewhat regrettably, that I would classify myself as a Yield sign.

For the sake of fairness, I will briefly acknowledge there are positive attributes of a yield sign profile (e.g. consideration of others' feelings, politeness, humility, etc.). In the spirit of reflection, though, the yield sign profile is not a profile in which I desire to stay. My yield sign profile waits for approval from others, is governed by majority opinion, hinges permission to be myself on the opportunities afforded (or not afforded) by "oncoming traffic", and waits in line, so to speak, until I feel I am "allowed" to move forward. In a comical (but pathetic) example, if I and another person simultaneously meet at the end of an aisle in a grocery store that we both aim to move into, I say I'm sorry! Why?! I didn't do anything wrong! Yield sign people chronically apologize. Can anyone relate? It's never too late to change directional signs! Over the past few years, I *have* made great progress in this area, but have really only made it to bolder yield-er. My 2015 goal: Pass With Care.

As a Pass With Care profile, I don't have to abandon my consideration for others' feelings, my politeness, my heart, etc., but I can *pass* by my inner voice that sometimes holds me in the yield lane. Pass With Care people know their self-worth and they enter situations, accordingly. Pass With Care people acknowledge their shortcomings, but they don't shout the shortcomings to themselves with an internal bull horn. Pass With Care requires an acceptance and celebration of who you are and a consistency in being that person, knowing (and being okay with knowing) that not all will like you. Pass With Care carries a sensitivity, but is not sensitive. Pass With Care isn't afraid to say I'm sorry, but knows when I'm sorry isn't necessary. I heart Pass With Care. :)

So, what is your Road Sign? Do you like it? Are you in need of a change? Do you need No Parking because you lack motivation? A Do Not Enter because an old habit needs to be abandoned? A Go Slowly because you need to stop rushing through life?

As 2015 begins, I hope whatever sign you are, or strive to be, that you live the sign that helps you:

                                                                Happy New Year! :)