As we make a turn into another new year, before reaching for bigger, newer things and goals, how about we first connect with, and deeply appreciate the simple, little magic we already live inside of?

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I’ve been reading this book called The Wedding People by Alison Espach. I normally talk to all of you about the non-fiction books I’m reading. I read out excerpts and share lessons I’ve learned. But this is a fiction book. Actually, I read a lot more fiction than non-fiction. It’s just that I end up sharing non-fiction stuff with you here. Haha

This is one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read!

The language is clear, simple. You can smoothly keep moving forward. The characters are so complex and rich! There are so many layers to the feelings and they’re explained beautifully. I’ve been really enjoying this book.

I want to read an excerpt to you, one of the things that really stood out to me.

“And it was perfect. It really was. But life is strange, always thinking this one thing is going to make you happy. Because then you get it, and then maybe you’re not as happy as you imagine you would be because every day is still just every day. Like, the happiness becomes so big, you have no choice but to live inside of it until you can no longer see it or feel it. And so you start to fixating on something else. And then you get it, and that happiness is so big, it begins to feel like nothing, like just the air around you.”

Isn’t that beautiful? It explains so much about our lives, the way we feel, and this of lack of satisfaction that we all go through.

It reminded me of this parable about a fish.

I don’t know if you’ve heard it. It’s an old parable.

There’s a young fish swimming around in the ocean and meets an old fish. So the old fish asks the young one. “Where are you going? What are you doing?” And the young one replies, “I’m looking for the ocean. I’m searching for it. That’s where I’m going.” The old fish laughs, “But you are in the ocean! This is the ocean that you are already inside.” So the young fish replies, “No. This is just water. I’m looking for the ocean.”

We’re all always looking for the ocean while we are in it. There’s so much in our lives that’s beautiful. So much meaning, so much to look forward to, so much purpose. There’s so much love, beauty, so much to appreciate around us.

But because those things become common, we don’t see them anymore.

They kind of disappear, the little miracles, the magic that surrounds us. So my message to you, my wish for you for this new year as we leave 2024 and move into 2025, is that you start seeing the ocean.

You start noticing that you are already a part of the ocean instead of trying to hunt for it, trying to look for something that is already available to you.

Find beauty and magic in the ordinary, simple things of everyday life.

You have a whole treasure trove. Unlimited, abundant wealth. A treasure chest right here with you. You just have to see it. We all do.

Look, I know it sounds cliché to say, “be grateful for what you already have, appreciate what’s in your life”.

I know it sounds like a cliché, but really, it’s a cliché for a reason. There’s a lot of truth in that. There’s a lot of wisdom in looking around us and appreciating the beauty, the joy, the love, the everything, in the simple things in life. The simplicity that’s already there with us without having to go out chasing for something new.

Of course, it’s good to pursue things. It’s good to find new interests, new meaning, new things to look forward to. Yes, of course. But we shouldn’t be doing that at the cost of what we already have.

So yes, go out, pursue new things, but also first appreciate what you already have.

And then from that place of feeling full and satisfied and content and joyful, from that place, go out and then attract what else you would like in your life.

All right, wish you a wonderful New Year! I will talk to you in 2025 next. I love you all. Thank you so much for listening, coming here every week. And thank you so, so much for sending me your messages of love, of appreciation. It means a lot to me to hear back from you!

And yes, if you aren’t on my newsletter, The Feel Good Tripe, it’s the best place to keep in touch with me. Sign up here.

Take care and Happy New Year. Bye!

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Susmitha Veganosaurus

“I read voraciously, find humour in most things, and I’m most in my element when I’m teaching, writing, and playing with clay. I believe authenticity and kindness are the keys to world peace. Sign up for myfree newsletterwhere I share conversational emails with stories about Life and Business Tips, Vegan Hacks, Holistic Guidance, and more.“

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