“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” – Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I love a rainy day. Which is a strange thing to say as someone who grew up in Southern California.

We don’t get much rain here. It’s that elusive, mythical creature we read about and see in movies; rarely do we get to indulge in its beauty.

So when we were recently graced with a visit of gray, velvety clouds that showered us for a few days, I was thrilled.

For me, rainy days are a hall pass to stay indoors and indulge in all things warm and cozy. Books by the fireplace. Warm socks and chunky sweaters. Baking. Snuggling under blankets for movie marathons. All the things you feel guilty doing when the weather outside is warm and sunny.

But what I love most about rainy days is the mood it evokes. Outside, everything is stormy and chaotic. Winds sweep through, collecting things along the way and clearing the debris. Sometimes the rain falls silently, other times it drenches the earth, re-hydrating it, creating a lively soundtrack

But once the chaos has passed and the storm has moved on to visit a new city, there’s a magical moment when everything is still.

For a brief moment in time, everything feels new. The mess is gone. The world wears a dewy glow as nature has been cleansed. The air is crisp and whispers of things to come.

Right now, we’re in a new year where everything feels fresh and full of potential. The blissful haze and chaos of the holidays still lingers; but the electricity of what 2017 holds is tangible and inviting.

As you make your resolutions for the new year, be kind to yourself. Instead of setting impossible goals, make smaller ones to achieve each month. Go to the gym, but give yourself permission to also to eat the cupcake. It’s not all or nothing. It’s three steps forward, one step back.

Be adventurous. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. But don’t force yourself to be a completely new person over night.

Part of being human is being flawed. Some flaws are given to us as challenge to build character. Others are characteristics we see as flaws, but are really what make us unique. They were meant to be a gift and should be embraced.

Remember, there’s beauty in the chaos, too. It clears away the mess and leaves us cleansed. It wipes the slate clean and allows a fresh start.

As you jump head first into the promise of a new year, manifesting your goals, be kind to yourself. Dream big, but also create tangible goals to keep you motivated all year long.

 Paper Goods by Cheeky | Craft Inspiration by Britt + Co | To Make The Hearts | To Add Some Bling