What does the month of February symbolize?

The name February came from the Latin word "Februa," meaning "to cleanse," the "Month of Purification," in the Roman Times, after the month of reflection and new year's resolutions. The snow moon in February (full moon reflected in snow) symbolizes closure, change, hope, creativity, and growth. It's time to forgive, let go of the uncontrollable, and reset oneself for a new beginning. It’s time to set your intentions and live your purpose. Manifest your dreams, take action, a good life is achievable.

 

How to Manifest Your Dreams with Intention?

1. Understand Your Desire

Choose a mental state as a desire rather than a physical outcome. For example, you desire a travel experience rather than an expensive gift. Be specific and write about the place and time you would like to visit.

2. Decide how to Elevate Your Mental State

Suppose your desire is the ability to take a trip. You intend to be in constant curiosity and awareness of the surroundings—an intention to experience new things and awe.  

3. Plan Out all the Steps

To take a specific trip, you need to come with the money from an income, budget, or savings. You need to research the time availability of the companions who would come along. Make travel arrangements, etc. Keep your eyes on the process rather than the outcome. It will amaze you how much you can learn or change for good.

4. Get Rid of Limiting Believes

Suppose you want to take the trip. Tell yourself you can and you will. You will not let an excuse like lack of money or health issue deter you from going.  

 

5. Visualize Intentions Daily

Visualize your intentions. For example, imagine you're on your adventure, getting a boat ride, or hiking in a forest. You feel alive and energetic.

 

6. Leave it in God's Hands

Sometimes your intentions do not seem to bring your desired outcome. Then it's time to let it go, surrender yourself, and leave it in the universe's hand. Fruition will come as the universe determines the time is right.   

How to live on purpose?

Life is a journey, and your purpose changes with time.  

The universe assigned you one role at a time, and your purpose is to perform well in that role. You might be a teacher, or a pastor, or a nurse, or a parent. You have to answer the universe’s calling for your role in the world.  

 

Remind yourself of the Greek word “Arete,” which means living with the best version of yourself.

 

Everyone is born with a unique gift. Your job is to identify that gift, develop it to its full potential, and use it to serve the world or the universe. It's called human actualization. Whatever you do, the universe will conspire in your favor if it aligns with your nature. Your job is to live with virtues and do your best.

 

How to Reach Your Full Potential?

 

The journey to reach your full potential may come with many obstacles and setbacks. You need to seek awakening and connect to your true self constantly. Resilience and faith in the Divine power are essential to overcome challenges. Life may be full of twists and turns, and the Divine has planned the adventures uniquely for you. Enjoy the ride and take in the view.

 

“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” – Carl Rogers.

 

Embrace life with both arms. Accept and love yourself and your life as it is. Work with the flow.

 

“Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.”- Lao Tzu.

 

“Accept – then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.” – Eckhart Tolle.

 

Reach inward to find peace and happiness.

 

Ancient philosopher Aristotle tells us that the purpose of life is to live with ‘Eudaimonia,’ a Greek word that means ‘Good Soul.’ The English translation means “Flourish.”

 

To “Flourish” or be successful, you have to be the best version of yourself. Connect with your inner soul or Divine self to receive the power of the universe. Practice living with virtue, courage, hope, and gratitude. You will be more likely to reach your potential and goals.

 

 

How to live a good life?

 

A good life is more than material satisfaction or short-lived happiness. One lives a good life when one has the freedom to explore passions, has self-control and a deep sense of social responsibility.  

 

According to the ancient philosopher Aristotle, one must practice living with virtues and self-control until it becomes a habit. Then one will flourish, and therefore the Greek word “Eudaimonia.”

Some ideas for living a good life:

1. Choose love and positivity.

Take nothing too seriously. Things will look the way you want them to be. Choose positivity. You will have peace. You have the control to be free in your mind. Use the power regardless of how dire the circumstance is. No one can defeat your Divine self.

 

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”-Viktor Frankl.

2. Practice self-acceptance and self-love.

Forgive yourself, own up past mistakes you made and move on. Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself like you would to a good friend. Accept your limitations and focus on your strength. Quiet your inner critic. Practice mindfulness by journaling, mediations, having a supportive community. Set boundaries are some ways to take care of yourself.  

 

3. Let go of the past.

Let go of the past and stay away from triggers. Get off the hamster wheel of dwelling on the past pain, focus on the present moment and start something new. Opportunities await.  

 

“Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” -Albeit Einstein.

4. Don’t take everything too seriously.

When you take everything too seriously, you will be more likely to stress yourself out. You will be more likely to misunderstand others and situations and miss out on the fun moments of life. Accept we are all imperfect. The sun rises every morning, even when we stress ourselves out. Lives will go on with or without us. Why not enjoy the journey?

 

“Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive”.

– Elbert  Hubbard.

5.  Build resilience.

A resilient person can bring themselves back to the center as life throws a curveball. They would have more capacity to help others.  

One can become more resilient as one treats every life challenge as an opportunity to toughen up.

 

1. Turn trauma into strengths.  

Develop problem-solving skills. Set goals, take actions,

and refine your skills.  

 

“Become more resilient by learning to focus on solutions rather than problems.” – Byron Pulsifer.

 

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”

– Friedrich   Nietzsche.

 

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”

― Oprah Winfrey.

2. Letting go of the past and staying present.

Don’t let the past pain sabotage yourself. Stay present. You are safe, and it’s good to be alive.

 

“Pain will leave you, when you let go.” -Jeremy Aldana.

 

 3. Stay Positive.

Always maintain a positive attitude, no matter what life throws at you. Nothing can defeat a resilient you, not in spirit.

 

“The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.”-Winston Churchill.

4. Connect with a like-minded community.

Don’t be afraid to show your vulnerability. Reach out for support. Find people who can make you feel better, talk to friends, a therapist, or peers in online communities.  

 

"One thing to remember is that human beings connect through vulnerability. That's our core way of connecting."-Zoe Buckman.

5. Practice mindfulness.

While it is essential to learn from the past and plan for the future, living in the present will make you healthier and happier.

 

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” – Alice Morse Earle.

 

Practice mindfulness using breathing exercises, meditation, journaling, visualization, letting go of perfection, and going with the flow. Put your mind in every detail of your daily life, such as washing dishes, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, or taking a walk in nature.  

Basic mindfulness techniques:

1. Practice stillness.  
2. Be aware of your five senses and your emotions.  
3. Let your feelings pass and bring yourself back to the  present.

6. See things from a different perspective.

Try to see things from a different perspective. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Use a positive mindset and keep the bigger picture in mind. Remember, everything shall pass, and lives go on.

 

                     7. Move towards your goals.  

Make goals, prioritize and take actions, visualize success, find support, refine your skills and keep going. Get busy, get moving. You have so much to offer the world.  

                 

           8. Practice self-care.

Self-care is taking time for your well-being. Whether it is spending time in solitude, taking a nap, taking a hobby, or exercising. Nourishing your body and soul is vital, and one with a sound mind, body, and soul is more resilient to life's challenges.

Give yourself a self-care challenge:

1. Make sleep your priority.  

2. Take care of your physical health by eating right and exercising.  

3. Set boundaries to protect your emotional health.  

4. Connect with nature.  

5. Spend time with people or pets who make you feel good.  

6. Take trips that allow you to break out of the routine and renew.  

 

Take Away Message

February, the month of love, calls for more self-love and compassion towards ourselves. When we feel whole, we will live with virtues, compassion for others, and a good life.