There’s something special about new beginnings, isn’t there? Choices, possibilities, a way of doing things differently. And at the beginning of the year, that is definitely a strong feeling. And then the rush begins, because we step back into the real world. And so we forget about the new beginnings, the choices, what other possibilities there are in submerging ourselves in the day-to-day realities.

So I’d like to ask you to take time this month to stop. Consider what your values are. What’s important to you? Because if you’re moving forward in a world that’s steadily appearing to crumble around the edges, one of the most important values that we can develop is the value of connection.

First of all, connection to ourselves and those close to us. But secondly, connection to those we encounter in our day-to-day life. How do you handle those connections? If in the past you’ve been too busy to develop them because you’re so busy getting where you have to go, perhaps pause and ask yourself, what are the qualities of the connections you have with people? Have you actually stopped to consider whether you’re creating the kind of connections that warm your heart, that fill your life? Or are they convenient? Are they networking? What’s the depth in the value of your connection to those around you?

The second value is the value of creativity. How do you manifest your creativity? Do you even consider you’re creative? When we consider that we are creative, everything’s a possibility. We can make anything out of very little and feel very happy at what we’ve managed to do. However, if you believe that you’re not creative because you’re not an artist, stop and ask yourself. Where might you be creative if you didn’t think creativity meant being an artist?

I’m creative in the kitchen. I look at a few items and think, ‘I wonder what that would be like if I put them all together.’ Most of the time they’re edible. Sometimes perhaps not the best thing that I could have done. But it’s fun and I enjoy it. And it adds a dimension to my sense of value. But it also means that in the connections that I have, that’s something to talk about because other people do the same. They’ll try things. It may not be in the kitchen. It may not be with menus. It could be with anything. But you’ve got something that you can talk about, that you can connect to each other about. Because after all, none of us are perfect.

And the third one is growth. Despite what’s happening in the world, how do you value your ability to grow? Do you see that growth limited by external events? Because if you do, growth isn’t about you. It’s about what you can do. No matter how challenging things may appear, there’s always opportunities for growth. To look at something and ask ourselves, is that the best way I could have done that? Was there a different way? Not necessarily from a critical, I did it wrong, from an exploration of what’s possible.

So what are the values for you that would enable you, if you took the time to stop and consider, that would enable you to consider new possibilities, different choices, a different perspective on how you choose to live your life?