Fear is one of the biggest barriers to living a joyful and fulfilling life. If you’re living life from a place of fear, you are not free to take risks or pursue your dreams. If your energy is expended in avoiding failure or rejection, then that energy is used to stay safe, instead of being available to create the life you desire. And all that playing it safe, can leave you feeling stuck, disappointed and perhaps even depressed. Today, it is time to step out of your comfort zone and do something new. Begin by first realizing how in charge of your life you really are. You may think change has to come from the outside—that you have to be the recipient of change and that something needs to happen to you before do something about it. Today, set your intentions to be the change in your life by trying something new-whether it be taking on a new sport, thinking in new ways or taking on the challenge of new meditative practices-become a beginner at something. Buddha says that we should be cultivating a “beginner’s mind”—that glorious state where we see fresh perspectives with kind eyes and a compassionate spirit. Today step out of your comfort zone and begin again-become a beginner again.

Just for today, I know that this is a new day, one I have never seen before. I begin anew and claim and create all that is good. I do something different. I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and experience life in a new way. I am willing to learn something new every day. I am safe. It is only change. Everything is working out for my highest good. And so it is.