New year, new you? Um, not so fast.

If I was a betting woman, I'd be willing to throw money on the fact that you did not wake up a brand new person on Jan. 1 of this year. In fact, you probably didn't wake up as the person you used to be either.

No, you woke up as the same person that you were on Dec. 31.

When your eyes opened, you were the same old you with the same old habits carrying the same old baggage and using the same old excuses. It's not a dig at you... it's just a fact. And it's the same for all of us.

See, as much as we want to start the new year off being all shiny, perfect and new, the truth is you didn't change overnight. The sooner we can accept that and meet ourselves where we're at, the sooner we can start crushing those goals.

Similar to last week when we talked about really getting to know who we are at our core, understanding the person you've become is crucial to setting yourself up for success in achieving your resolutions.

In this episode we'll talk about why we have become the people we see in in the mirror these days and how that affects our ability to keep our promises to ourselves. We'll also chat about how getting under the hood is one of the best things we can do for ourselves in the new year. And the sooner we do it, the more successful we'll be.

Trust me, this is gonna be good!

Before you make any kind of resolution, there's something you've got to do. Before you buy any products or sign up for any memberships and before you pick out the "planner that will change everything"... Listen up!

There's a reason why the resolutions you put on your list are the same ones you put on it last year. Why you find yourself in the same rut every single year before January is even over.

You don't know yourself.

Now, you're probably scratching your head, but think about it for a second. Do you really know yourself? Or do you only know the person you've been pigeon-holed to be. The person who you mom or your high school football coach or your diploma says you are.

Oh! Or maybe you've grown accustomed to being the person social media has told you to be.

See there are a lot of influences around us that can push us into becoming someone we were never supposed to be. Often times we don't even realize it until it's too late and we no longer have the time or energy to fix it.

So, let me ask you again? Do you know you?

In this episode we'll dive into why it's paramount to examine ourselves on the inside before we ever attempt to chase a resolution. We'll also talk about how to find our true authentic self and build up some confidence in who that person is.

You ready to go? Hit that play button!

Hope. It's not just a word we see all around us during the holiday seasons. In fact - it should surprise no one - that hope is one of the most buzz-worthy words around the start of a new year.

We're so hopeful of what the next 365 days can bring us. We're so hopefully of the person we can become as we take another trip around the sun. We are swimming in hope!

Now, a lot of the reason we feel hopeful is not only rooted in the reason for the holiday season, but it's something that can be tapped into any day of the year.

In this episode we'll explore what hope actually means and why it's a tangible resource we should be holding onto as we start a new chapter. We'll also dive into some way to cultivate hope so that we can use it to our advantage, even on a normal Wednesday in the middle of June.

I think you'll be pleased to discover that hope is a lot stronger than people give it credit. You may also find that getting your hopes up is actually a good thing for a new year, if done correctly.

I hope you'll hit that play button!

Of all the greetings we see around this time of year, love is one that is felt most easily. I mean, how could you not feel love during the holidays?

The season is filled with nostalgic memories, gatherings with loved ones, people doing good deeds for others... it's oozing with love.

So how do we latch onto that love and harness it not just for the days when Christmas trees sit in every window? How can we cultivate this same kind of love on a random Tuesday in the middle of April?

In this episode, we'll break down some of the way to stir up love - even if you're not feeling it this time of year - and we'll examine some practices for creating love throughout the rest of the year. Don't be surprised if there is some overlap!

Tap play and let's dive in.

What do you think about when you hear the word peace? Does it stir up feelings of comfort or a vision for the world? Perhaps hearing the word peace reminds you that you lost your peace several months ago and haven't found it again.

During the holiday season, peace is a word we see everywhere. "Peace on earth"... "Let there be peace"... "Sleep in heavenly peace".

It's everywhere.

But just because we see it, doesn't mean we feel it. We want it, but we don't really know where to find it.

What if I told you that peace is something you can cultivate in your own life? In fact, you can create and anchor yourself to peace in such a way that you'll not only be able to hold onto it, you will actually be able to share it with others.

Let me show you how... tap that play button and let's get started.

Let me ask you something... Do you have joy? I mean, the messaging all around us right now is screaming joy, but do you have it?

Maybe the better question is, do you know what joy is? And do you know how to foster it - especially during the holidays?

See, joy is a great, buzzworthy word. We love to toss it around, slap it on an ornament and hang it on a tree, or sing it in a gospel song. However, I think our true understanding of the word is a little... surface level.

And that's the thing - joy is much MUCH deeper than just a surface level emotion. It's got legs to stand on and power to move us through hard times. Joy is something with roots that gets into us and sustains us.

So how do we cultivate joy during this time of year and how do we keep watering it throughout the year?

We'll dive into that in this episode!

These days we're hearing a lot of buzzwords surrounding the holidays. Things like cheer, joy, peace, hope and love. They're everywhere in nice, embellished and bedazzled font.

And while these are all nice things to say or have printed on a tea towel, what do they actually mean? And if we're saying them, why don't we actually feel them?

In this Seasons Greetings series, we'll break down some of the most common seasonal words and how to cultivate them throughout the holiday season. Perhaps these are the very keys to a wonderful and meaningful Christmas time.

Let's start with cheer, shall we?

What does cheer mean and how do we get a cup of it? And better yet, how do we pass it on to someone else?

Grab a cozy blanket, pour a cup of hot cocoa and let's dive in.

Well the week has finally arrived and my stomach is already growling. Thanksgiving is just days away and I want to encourage you to slow down this week and be present.

I know, another thing to add to you to-do list. And the very fact that I'm telling you not to stress is already stressing you out.

This week is all about prioritizing what matters and leaving the rest to be whatever it is. I think we're all craving a Thanksgiving that feels like the good ol' days, but how do we go about creating a day that feels like a "good old fashioned family" gathering.

In this episdoe we'll talk about the parts of the holiday we should be letting go of in the spirit of actually enjoying Thanksgiving. We will also unpack three things we should be focusing on to make this our most meaningful holiday yet; intentionality, invitation and investment.

This doesn't have to be another white-knuckling holiday that leaves you depleted and wondering if it really mattered in the end.

Ready to dive in?

Y'all knew this one was coming!

We're wrapping up our Dealing with Difficult People series with a look at family. One of the most complicated and triggering conversations about dealing with difficult people, am I right? Even just saying the word family might be stirring up some feelings in you - both good and bad.

It's important for us to dive into family though, for a few reasons.

1. Family estrangment is an epidemic in this nation
2. The holidays are only going to magnifiy your feelings

So today, we are going to dive into why you may be estranged from a member of your immediate family and discuss also how you can fix the problem and why you should fix it. Spoiler alert: there's no finger pointing aloud.

I'll be honest with you, it might be a bumpy ride. So, take a moment. Gather yourself. Draw in a deep breath.

Now let's get to work.

Notes

In this episode we read a chunk of scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7...

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Wether you like it or not, interacting with other people is a part of this whole being human thing. And not only is it a part of life, it's engrained in our operating system. Studies show that we need human connection to thrive.

So, what do we do with difficult people? Especially the ones you must work with on a regular or semi-regular basis.

Unlike last week's episode, this week we'll be talking about people who you can't just walk away from when things get problematic. These are people you work with, live near or with... people who will be a part of your life in some way beyond a passing moment in public.

In this episode we dive into how to work best with other people - a.k.a. how to play well with others.

Spoiler Alert: You're not gonna be able to change them so this will be focused on what you can control.

Ultimately, if we can approach people in a different way, we can lead a more harmonious life with everyone around us. It will be fun, I promise.