Hello and happy Monday!
I hope this letter finds you well!
At the beginning of the year, several people asked me if I had made any resolutions for the new year, which sparked some interesting discussions.
A year ago, I would have said “yes,” and shared my list of resolutions. But this year, I explained that I’m choosing to approach things with a different perspective and intention.
At the beginning of this year, I asked myself the following question: “What do I want to call into my life?”
I then took some time to write down whatever words came to mind, letting them flow without passing judgment or overthinking.
Once I felt my list was complete, I took a moment to reflect on each word, noticing how my body responded to them.
The word that I felt most connected to was “peace.”
After choosing my word, I reflected on how I can nurture and welcome peace into my mind, body, heart, and spirit throughout 2025 and beyond.
This reflection prompted me to explore core values and guiding principles that will help me stay aligned with the peace I’m calling into my life and essence.
Here are some of my core values and principles for 2025 and beyond:
1. Embrace Vulnerability
I choose to embrace vulnerability, allowing my emotions to flow freely and safely, without judging or overanalyzing why the emotion is present. By giving myself permission to feel, I let go of the internal pressure to hide or suppress the emotions that arise. Each time I open myself to vulnerability, I soften my grip on perfectionism, shed the ‘mask,’ and step into my authenticity. In doing so, I invite peace to flow into my being as I am showing up in the world more aligned with my true self.
2. Establish and Maintain Healthy Boundaries
I choose to honor my internal and external boundaries by clearly and confidently expressing my needs. This also includes saying “no” so that I can say “yes” to what supports my overall well-being and aligns with my values. It also means listening to my body and respecting its messages. Boundaries are an act of self-love and self-respect, creating space for peace and balance in my life.
3. Practice Compassion
In moments of setbacks and challenges, I choose to connect with and practice compassion–for both myself and others. We all carry pain, and this shared human experience reminds me that everyone is deserving of compassion. By practicing compassion, I nurture inner peace, and that peace naturally extends to those around me.
4. Lead with Love
I choose to let love guide my thoughts, words, and actions. I recognize that beneath our thoughts and behaviors are deeper, often subconscious struggles and wounds. This awareness helps me separate a person's behavior from their true essence. The same holds true for me. When my actions, thoughts, or words don’t align with my true self, I understand that there’s likely a wounded part of me that is in need of healing. So instead of responding with judgment, I choose to respond with love, knowing that, at our very core, we all seek the same things: connection, understanding, belonging, and love. When I lead with love, I feel a deep sense of peace within my heart.
5. Surrender and Trust the Flow
I choose to surrender, trusting that life will unfold as it’s meant to. Resistance to flow disrupts my inner peace. By releasing attachment and control over specific outcomes, I create space for peace to flow into my being. In surrender, I open myself up to the many gifts and blessings life has to offer.
Peace is my compass, constantly guiding me toward my true North.
During stressful moments, I know I can always return to peace.
When exhaustion or overwhelm sets in, peace is there to restore my inner balance.
In moments of fear or panic, I trust that peace will guide me back to a state of calm and presence.
When faced with tough decisions or challenging conversations, I approach them with peace in my heart.
And whenever I need guidance, a reminder, or when setbacks occur, I can turn to my core values and guiding principles to help me realign with peace.
It’s unrealistic to expect that I’ll be at peace all the time–I’m human, with my own struggles and insecurities. But even when I drift away from peace, I know it’s always there, quietly and patiently awaiting my return.
So dear friend, I invite you to take a moment to pause and reflect on what you want to call into your life.
Select a word that brings you closer to your true self–a word that speaks to your heart. A word that offers support, comfort, and guidance, especially during difficult moments.
Choose a word that you want to live by, one that will provide clarity, strength, and inspiration as you navigate life’s inevitable ups, downs, twists, and turns.
Let this word be your anchor and your guiding light, shaping how you show up for yourself and others.
And of course, there’s no pressure to stick with the first word you choose. If another word feels more aligned, you’re welcome to explore that.
Once you choose a word that resonates with you, consider writing it down on a piece of paper or a sticky note, placing it somewhere visible. You might choose to meditate on this word, or use it as your intention each time you step onto your mat. Let it serve as a gentle daily reminder of what you’re calling into your life and into your being throughout 2025 and beyond!
I don’t have a new practice for you today. That said, you're welcome to join any class from our January 2025 calendar. Feel free to choose a practice from this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLftdoo4RFfAqGTrNVFueRH8gSsz6EmiTJ
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter!
As always, I hope these letters offer you insight and they bring value to your life.
Wishing you a lovely day ahead!!!
Keep shining bright!
With love,
~ Rachel
