The new year is here again! It's the perfect time to sit down and brainstorm on some new goals and resolutions. Resolutions are important because they are like a pact we make with ourself that we will become better people. We make it a point to reflect, learn, and grow. It seems that every year, the same resolutions get circled around. In order to change our lives, we all tend to think to ourselves "I will get fit" or "I will save more money."
These are definitely important to keep in mind in order to become your best self because after all, it's hard to be a happy person if you're unhealthy and financially unstable. However, there are deeper ways to become a better person in 2018 that aren't as common and have to do with our inner well-being. They're just as impactful, if not more, in changing the course of your life and making 2018 an amazing year.

Below are 8 resolutions to become your greatest self in 2018.

1. Don't expect people to read your mind. Realize that people are not mind-readers and instead of attempting to drop hints all the time about what it is that is on your mind, simply say it. Have the courage to be honest and open about your thoughts.
2. Stop taking things personally. Not everything is about you, and that's a good thing. Being in charge of the world ( or thinking you should be ) creates way too much pressure and puts you in a place where you could feel responsible for things that you can't control. During 2018, try to keep in mind that other people's actions have nothing to do with you. They are merely a reflection of their own state of being and how they currently see the world.
3. Determine the motivation behind your actions. When faced with big decisions next year, take the time to question yourself before you make those decisions. Doing this will allow yourself to see if your actions are based in fear, or love. You want to move to a new country? Ask yourself why first? Is it to step out of your comfort zone and explore an unknown place? Or maybe it's to run away from a void in your current life that you're not dealing with and will follow you to wherever you go? Be honest with yourself and the answers that come to you. Have the courage to base your actions in love in 2018.
4. Start with where you're at. Be realistic with where you're at and content with the process as it unfolds. Ask yourself what you can do in each moment to get you closer to where you want to be. It's easy to compare our own journey with those around us, but instead of getting dis-heartened because you're not where you currently want to be, remind yourself that your power and success don't exist in a mental construct of the future, they exists in the small decisions you make in each moment of every day.
5. Be who you are, not who you think you should be. What would you do if you were the only one in the world right now, and no-one was watching you? What if ultimately no-one cared what you did with your life or where you would up? How freeing would that feel? The only way to live a life that is full of peace and contentment is to live in alignment with who you really are and stand inside your story, owning it along the way. Make your voice heard in 2018 by being who you truly are.
6. Pickup on the subtle lessons life is trying to teach you. Life is your best teacher because it is not happening to you, it is responding to you. In each moment you are putting out a certain kind of energy that is, in return, being given back to you. If you pay close attention to this energy and are open-minded to growing as a person, then you can learn to pickup on those hints and become aware of what they're trying to teach you. Remember to create space in 2018 for opportunities to learn.
7. Ask more questions. This goes along with the resolution above, but the best way to learn is by asking questions, even the ones that might be difficult to ask. It's important to ask questions with the intent to understand, rather than respond. This is the best way to avoid miscommunication and to understand a situation through a different set of lenses other than your own.
8. Make amends. If something happened in 2017 that you continue to find yourself thinking about, making amends could help close the door and move forward. This could be a falling out you may have had with a friend, or leaving a job in a less-than-desirable way where it left a bad taste in your mouth. Saying you're sorry, explaining the motivations behind why you did what you did, or even simply opening the door for a conversation instead of avoiding it will free up mental space for you in order to allow new opportunities to come to you freely in 2018.

Happy Saturday, readers!

For the first official blog post, I felt it was necessary to address the obvious...

"Missing Link 4 Autism" poses an important question that can be interpreted very differently by each individual: "What is the missing link?". I believe we all have a missing link in our lives, especially when we are living off balance. Often that missing piece changes during each stage of our lives. We may be living a very healthy and active lifestyle, but are lacking a social connection. Some of us may be surrounded by friends and loved ones, but are neglecting our physical health. Human beings are extremely complex and require nourishment in all aspects of life in order to thrive. When something is missing, we can feel it. If we're in tune with our inner selves than we can recognize these missing parts of us within ourselves and begin to practice self care in order to achieve balance.

Unfortunately many individuals with ASD can not recognize what their "missing link" is. They still feel the same sense of longing that the rest of us do. Biologically, they require the same social, physiological, and emotional needs. The only difference is that those with ASD have a harder time creating structure and balance in their lives. Thats where Missing Link 4 Autism comes in. The beautiful people at this non profit organization have recognized that the missing link is in fact social connection. What I love about this organization is that by developing the structured teen support club, Breaking Thru Barriers; they've created a safe space for connection to take place. Many teens in today's society choose to hangout at house parties or unsafe environments simply because there is nowhere else to go. Breaking Thru Barriers allows all teens to come together and connect. Typical adolescents are able to socialize with those with ASD and see them as peers. 

Whatever your "missing link" is, may you find your safe space to discover what you need. We all deserve to thrive and by coming together we can all create harmony within ourselves and the community. After all, we are all not that different deep down.

Have a safe weekend!