It’s official. The Great Calendar Turn of 2021 has happened and 2020 is now in the rearview mirror.
As many of you know, a new year is often used to signal new birth, new opportunities, new possibilities, and new ways of being. While we still move forward, the beginning of this new year recently caused me to pause and think briefly back to my youth. During this brief trip down memory lane, I recalled a hallmark of school days long gone: the ever-coveted permission slip.
For those who don’t know, a permission slip is a form that a school sends home with a student. The permission slip is essential because it gives the OK for a person to take a trip or journey away from their everyday routine. Why? So they can have new experiences that will presumably help them learn and grow (e.g., a class field trip to the zoo or local science museum).
As children, permission slips were often required and had to be signed by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible authority figure. Today, as adults, we have the opportunity to “sign our own permission slips” and stand in our own authority.
So it begs the question: What is on your 2021 Permission Slip?
Imagine you had a blank permission slip—just like those used in school—and were given the chance to fill in the blanks. What if you were guaranteed it would be signed? Think about it and fill in the blank:
“This year, I give myself permission to ____________________________.”
Of course this brings up a few questions to consider:
What would you give yourself permission to do?
What would you give yourself permission to be or become?
Is there an ideal career path you would give yourself permission to pursue?
What would you give yourself permission to release or let go of?
The take-away? Rather than asking for permission from others, we can give ourselves permission to make positive, necessary or desired changes in our lives. Simply put, we can sign our own permission slips.
As we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in 2021, let’s give ourselves (and each other) the license to fill in our “permission slips” with things that will help support our happiness, health, wholeness and joy.
Wishing you and yours true peace.
Warm regards,
Nasir
True Peace Counseling & Wellness