Happy New Year my friend!
If you received my email yesterday, you may be thinking:
“Damn, what’s up with Mike? Poor guy, he’s going through tough times”. And really, I am…
But please, don’t worry about me, I’m ok. I’m blessed, and grateful…
I’ve overcome worst situations in the past, and this time will be no different.
I wanted to open up and be vulnerable because I know a lot of us are going through it these days. We all try to put on a good front and act like “everything is cool, I’m good”. And believe me, if it’s the case, I am super happy for you! I just know few of us dare to be vulnerable enough to open up about our hardships, which increases anxiety and adds a layer of forced secrecy which isn’t healthy…
Once you open up, you often realize you are not alone in your struggles. That creates connection through empathy and compassion, it helps us relate to each other in deeper ways. If I open up to you, I give you the opportunity to do the same.
What may feel like weakness in the moment is actually strength.
In my experience, that’s a major key to start actually addressing the issues we are facing by acknowledging that they exist in the first place. Then, we can come to the realization that we are only human! It’s normal. Life can be like a rollercoaster!
It’s ok not to be ok. We just can’t stay stuck…
Life means evolution and growth. If we’re not growing we’re slowly dying.
Growing pains are part of the process. When you decide to make changes in your life, you’re going to face challenges. It’s part of the story…
« Minor setbacks for major comebacks, that’s my favorite »
As Kendrick Lamar put it in Nipsey Hussle’s song « Dedication ».
So ya, I’ve been going through hard times lately. 2024 was a rough ride driving down new paths while realizing certain roads were leading to dead ends. I’ve had to double back and reassess. Sometimes, we’re in a cul-de-sac and start pitying ourselves, thinking of the time we wasted, wondering how we’re going to get out of there, with the impression that we’re going back to square one. But is it really so?
I believe when a door closes, it’s because a new one is ready to be opened. New paths to explore. We are often afraid of the unknown. Some freeze to death and never move forward. While some of us choose to « take the first step with faith »…
If you’re like me, travelling down the road less traveled, it might get spooky on the way… But I’ve been on this road before! This ain’t my first rodeo! I know how beautiful the view can be when you take the risk…
Sometimes, all it takes is a change of perspective! A new point of view.
This could be physical: new surroundings, a new scenery, a different place that helps us shift our mindset. But it often happens in our minds.
We make decisions to initiate change in our lives. New Years is often a great opportunity to do so! We want to start out fresh with great intentions! We take « New Years Resolutions » hoping to stick to them. Studies suggest it never lasts very long… But does that mean it’s not worth a try?
Some could care less, but I like to celebrate the New Year!
I enjoy taking the time to assess and review the year that passed by. I try to be objective, write down my wins and losses, but I look at it through the lens of gratitude. I try to focus on what I was able to accomplish.
And looking back, I did A LOT of sh*t last year! It wasn’t all roses but it wasn’t just darkness and failures either! Buddhists say suffering comes from our expectations and attachment to the results. If we just look at numbers, it’s easy to downplay our game. Of course, the scoreboard is important, but it shouldn’t be the end all be all. There is so much more to life! Sounds cliché, but participating is often what counts the most.
Yet our social media era makes it easy to compare ourselves to others. But once again, you can’t compare real life with all it’s shades and gradients to a picture perfect edited demo-reel. Still, that’s what we all do!
Today, I woke up in a new environment, in a place I love.
I Went out for long walks in nature with Mountain Views. It was a beautiful sunny day…
Last night, before going to bed, after doing my end of year review, I wrote down a set of goals for the year, just like I did last year. And I realized I had knocked out most of my goals last year. And I woke up with hope and determined to take action!
Today, I feel different. I decided to challenge myself.
I decided to not let fear dictate my actions. I decided to stop procrastinating and wasting time, and stop overthinking. I decided to work patiently to implement the changes I want to see in my life. I decided to take full responsibility and accountability for my well-being and happiness.
I wouldn’t usually put it out there, but I want to ask you for help to hold myself accountable!
Today, I decided to quit smoking cigarettes.
For those who know me personally, you know this is one of the hardest decisions ever. Maybe I’ll crack and go right back to it. But I caught myself negotiating with myself this morning: « wait till tomorrow, just one after coffee, after lunch and dinner and that’s it »… But no, i decided I was done. And I believe I’m capable of it!
Early September, a few days after releasing my book, I randomly quit smoking weed and I haven’t gone back. I switched to CBD, it’ll be 4 months in a couple weeks. And I never thought I’d be capable of that after smoking every single day for the past 25 years…
Yet I am, I did it, I’m doing it! And so nothing but myself is stopping me from doing the same with Tobacco. I believe in myself. It’s possible! I can do it!
I am taking my control back!
And weirdly, I feel a new sense of empowerment from taking on this challenge. And I want to see it through!
It is said that it takes 21 days to develop new habits. So I want to take this opportunity to challenge you to do the same…
Whatever that means for you in your life. Maybe it’s cigarettes, maybe it’s weed, or alcohol, or a toxic relationship. Maybe it’s your job. Maybe it’s just a mindset…
What if we took 21 days to push ourselves to get out of our comfort zone?
What if we dared to implement a change we never thought we’d be capable of?
How would we feel after 3 weeks?
And if we can do it for 3 weeks, how about pushing to 90 days? How different could our life be if we committed to something for 3 months? Then a whole year? 3 years…
Life is too short to fear change! But it’s long enough for us to see radical improvements if we are patient and dedicated!
I would love to hear about your goals and resolutions! Use me as your accountability partner if need be! Just send me a little message to tell me about it! I handle this publication myself so I’d love to receive a little note from you as well, or leave a comment with your biggest challenge!
Finally, I wish you all the best for 2025 and beyond!
Health first of course, can’t do anything without it, peace of mind, love and happiness above all. And I wish you luck on your different ventures and adventures.
Success, money, that’ll come naturally if we can maintain the balance between all of these different things…
So yeah, take care of yourself!
Much love and Happy New Year!
Peace
Your friend,
MH
More Power 2 Us
PS: I will soon be switching all my emails to my Substack publication and would love to have you join me on there, so don't be surprised if you receive a notification to subscribe from Substack soon. If you'd like, until then, you can simply join by clicking the link below. Thank you
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