“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.”
― Brad Paisley
I’m taking cupcakes to a New Year’s Eve party this evening. Instead of decorating them with cute little hearts or zigzags or candles, I’m poking a toothpick into each one.
The toothpick, ever versatile, can be used as a writing utensil–just like the stick I used to write last year’s intention into the sand on a Georgia beach. My hope is that each guest who gets what I’m calling a dream cupcake will write their highest intention into the frosting. Which should be a reminder that we write our own stories and that, at any time, we can write a new one.
As we close the book on 2013 and open a new chapter in 2014, I want to shout out my deepest gratitude– for all of you and for the abiding love that exists throughout our world.
And, if you didn’t catch it last year, here’s a wonderful New Year’s wish from Neil Gaiman:
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
Pam Grout is the author of 16 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality.
28 Responses
“Happy New You”, Pam
So excited of what is to BE for and for me in 2014!
I’ve had a rotten year. My mum died, my father in law died. My partner left then I found out he’d been having an affair for years. I have been trying to carry on my spiritual path, keeping positive, shouting gratitude, doing, reiki, EFT, affirmations, I read E2 but I don’t get any results….I don’t think. Today I just feel so low and miserable. I am glad to see the back of this year but I also feel I can’t carry on. I don’t know what else to do. I have spent the day shouting and crying at the universe feeling like I don’t have anyone that the universe doesn’t have my back and I am on my own. I’m not of course I have my 2 children and my friend phoned me.now I feel rubbish and sad for feeling the opposite of what I have been striving for. I can’t even think what dream I want to manifest next year I feel hopeless. What am I doing wrong apart from feeling sorry for myself!
Dear Amanda,
If at all possible, think of a few things you could be grateful for (the sun came up this morning, for example, and your heart continues to beat) and begin to focus more on those things. From these tiny seeds of appreciation, you can grow an entire new life. It’s just a matter of telling a different story, one tiny belief at a time.
2014 can be your year!! Believe that, expect that and know that the beauty of this work is you get to decide what story you write.
Blessings and love,
Pam
Thank you so much . I appreciate your lovely words and taking the time to reply to me. Happy new year and blessings for 2014.
Dear Amanda,
Can’t say I know how you’re feeling. Just wanted you to know a stranger out in the world is sending you love and positive energy. You are stronger than you know. Take care =)
Thank you so much you have no idea how humble your message makes me feel. It’s strange sometimes the way you’re feeling just makes you blurt it all out when you respond to something like Pam’s statement not really thinking other people are reading it. Then you get loving kind responses and it helps you to remember how much good there is out there and how much you have to look forward to. Thank you for taking the time to care. It has made a big difference to me. It really has. I guess that’s the power of the universe 😉 . <3 to you stranger out in the world. You are no longer a stranger x
Hi, Amanda. I just wanted to witness your courage and vulnerability. And also, to send you a permission slip for whatever you are feeling, because sometimes, when I’m feeling low & shouting at the universe, permission to do just that is what I need too. I am sending you a wish for unexpected blessings in your new year.
Pam, I so enjoy reading your blog. It always brings a smile to my face and connects me to the part of me that never forgets about possibility & wonder & magic. Thank you for that. Wishing you continued joy + success in the new year!
Dear Amanda,
Sometimes feeling low it the gift you have been asking for. Don’t beat yourself up, just slow down, rest and enjoy it. Winter is a great time to get low and slow where the only place to go from there is up. Thanks for sharing, so many of us can relate 🙂
BTW my E2 result was $700 but came when I wasn’t looking for it. The universe does have a sense humor so watch out for silly stuff coming your way.
Thank you Jerry
I really appreciate that. Yes I think that’s my problem with E2 instead of asking then switching off which is what I think you are supposed to do. I keep thinking about it and looking for it. Can’t seem to switch that off. Any tips?
I am 85 years old , still working , still learning. For the last 26 years I have had a full clinical hypnosis practice and I teach clinical hypnosis to people that wish to be working as hypnotherapists .
I cannot tell you how important your work (book ) is. It has changed my life and my clients and my students . I recommend it to everyone and make sure that they do the exercises , not just read the book.
When they do they are amazed at how their life begins to change. MINE HAS in so many ways! I used to preach things that are in your book to my clients but now I am doing them . I am back on the path. Thankyou , Thankyou.
Dr. Wanita Holmes
I just retired and am now looking into starting my next career. I have wanted to be a hypnotherapist for as long as I can remember. I live in central California near Sacramento. Do you know anyone in my area that teaches.
Mary I do not know any one in your area .I would reccomend that you contact the national guild of hypnotherapy . They will surley have someone for you. How I wish that you were in my area . I would love to help you. Doing what I do is so rewarding and we need more skilled hypnotherapist out there. This will enable more people to use this modality so that they can improve their lives. And as we get older we have more experiences that we can draw upon to help others. I am available by phone if you would like to talk to me. Go on drwanita@gmail.com and leave your phone number. Dont give up ! Do it.
Wanita, You are an awesome inspiration to me and to so many others! Thank you!
Myrna thankyou so much. I feel compelled to tell people how old I am so that they will not give up and become couch potatoes. I am so grateful that i am still healthy and able to work. How great is that ?
Great cupcake idea Pam!…gosh, I think I would need a full sheet cake! I am plunging into 2014 with joy and strong affirmations of “I can do it…even if I make mistakes!” Happy New Year to you and your Daughter…
Happy New Year, Pam! As promised, I went to the beach this past weekend and wrote my wish into the sand…I still smile when I think about it. Maybe I’ll try the cupcake idea too 🙂
My wife and I are re-reading E-2 and we thank you so very much, Pam, for your writing and your amazing work. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
So happy I got a tablet for Christmas. Was so disconnected from the people I love and admire like Dr. Northrup, due to my resistance to technology change and fear of it all. Well in the last week, I have been learning & connecting…and found you. For this I am grateful. Have read E2 and fell in love with the possibilities, you have no idea, on second thought I guess you really do:-) Just told my 21 year old perfectionist son not to fear making mistakes, all successful people make more mistakes than those who feared to make them and never moved forward, Thank You Pam for your wisdom. You have helped me back on my journey of enlightenment, Happy 2014!
I absolutely love the sentiment of making mistakes. Brillian!! I think my mantra will be to just give it a try. Even if I don’t know what will happen, or if I think nothing will happen, I need to take that leap of faith and just give it a try. So many times when I’ve been doing energy work and I’ve done this, amazing things that have totally wow’d me have happened. Have a wonderous 2014!
E squared thanks for writing this book Pam ,had great success with experiments bought it as Christmas presents for friends because it can be a life changer Happy new year
What part of Georgia was the beach? I AM going there someday ! <3. JR Stinnett
Sent from my iPhone
Tybee Island, near Savannah.
Little by little I’ve changing my life through the ideas in this book. By next year my life will be bigger and more exciting because my mind, my ideas, my dreams will be bigger, more exciting, I love the idea of making mistakes. As an artist, mistakes are my most creative moments because I never know what a mistake will turn into.
Dear Amanda:
How I know how you are feeling. In the last three years, my father in law passed away, my mother passed away, my husband passed away and I have been helping my brother who was diagnosed a week after my husband passed away with stage four head and neck cancer. It hasn’t been easy. But I can tell you with complete honesty that every day is getting a little better. I won’t say easier, but it’s better. This Christmas, for the first time in years, after everyone had gone home, I sat in my chair and felt true contentment. I can’t remember the last time I felt that way, even when I was married. It was a very, very brief moment in time, but it was enough. Enough to keep me going every day with the hope that things are truly getting better and that one day I will wake up with that contentment on like an old sweater. I wish you the best in this new year, and please don’t ever feel like there is no hope. Hope is always near, you just have to reach out to it and it will do the rest 🙂 Blessings.
Thank you Jennifer
Your words have truly lifted me up and helped me to remember. You are a beautiful soul and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to care. I am feeling so much better to do and ready to take your advice and Angel’s . You are right the low feeling moments get less and less if you just give yourself permission to feel them and soak up the wonderful moments of contentment which eventually grow. I started reading E2 again last night as well. I will keep reading it until I quiet my critical voice and start to use my intuition.
Thank you so much and bless you I hope this year is magical for you, you have been through so much. I will keep you in my prayers that this is your year of love and wonder. Love to you and best wishes. Xxx
Thank you for these words. Can’t wait to get started making mistakes . Thank you Pam and Neil.
Thank you Pam from Italy. Your newsletter is that I love the most. I’ve copied Neil Gaiman wish in the first page of my brand new diary, even if I actually don’t need to remember to make mistakes. For such a skill I have applied for years. I’ve just read your amazing book in a german edition because I couldn’t wait no longer for the italian edition!
Thank you Pam and Happy New Year from Italy. Your newsletter is that I love the most. I’ve copied Neil Gaiman wish in the first page of my brand new diary, even if I actually don’t need to remember to make mistakes. For such a skill I have applied for years. I’ve just read your amazing book in a german edition because I couldn’t wait no longer for the italian edition!