Welcome to a new year and may 2014 bring you blessings, abundance and good health. As an organized business owner, I – of course – had a list of topics lined up for this New Year. I think though, the best topic today is what’s on my heart. The beginning of a new year is always a good time to reflect, look in the rear view mirror so to speak. What went well? What would I do differently? What would I like to create?

The New Year gives us a blank slate of sorts and it’s a lovely ritual, to be able to start fresh. I have to admit though I’m feeling a bit uncertain as my year begins. In my heart – and I believe it’s all about our hearts – your heart – my heart – that IS what matters and is important, most important. In my heart – I know what I am called to do and I feel fear and uncertainty arise as I step into that which is mine to do.

Do I write about that? Do I even admit that? Yes. The answer is yes. I’m vulnerable and human, just like you are. I feel certain and driven some days, some seasons and less sure in others. I know – again in my heart – that no one really wants to work with a coach who hasn’t experienced adversity. What could you know and how could you feel compassion and lead others if you don’t know – at least to some extent – what they feel and how they suffer.

So, I’m admitting my vulnerability. My need to match up what I feel in my heart with what I know in my mind. To bring those things forward to shine my light and to help others. What feeds my soul is knowing that I can make a difference for someone else. That I can champion the woman who has so much to give and yet can’t seem to get where she wants, even needs to be. I also know that sometimes I am that woman. We all are.

Living as our true selves means acknowledging (and loving!) both sides of ourselves – the ‘shadow’ side and the light side. Knowing that it would be so much harder to experience true joy and gratitude if we didn’t know its opposite. Of course we all want to put our best foot forward. Of course we all want to be seen for who we are, what we offer, all our best qualities.

But through adversity we learn to love, we learn who loves us and we grow to accept ourselves, with all our gifts and limitations when we allow ourselves to be truly seen. I offer myself to you in the New Year – I stand ready to launch into newer and bigger places in my life and in my business. It’s like standing at the end of the high diving board – at once exhilarating and terrifying. It will be so much easier to jump into the deep if we do it together. Are you ready? Willing? Let’s go.