BE YOUR BEST SELF IN 2017

In 2016, Ray-Ban embarked on a new campaign called #ItTakesCourage. Courage isn’t just about having the guts to jump out of a plane, get on stage or go down on one knee. It’s owning that moment and accepting yourself for who you are. Take inspiration from these six courageous acts, and be your best self in 2017.

1. Open your heart

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”—Jalaluddin Rumi

Your happiness is not dependent on how many pairs of white sneakers you have. More than just spending quality time with family and friends, don’t be afraid to meet new people. Go on that blind date. Join a book club. Say yes more than no in 2017 and see where it will lead you.

2. Fight perfection

“If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”—Leo Tolstoy, “Anna Karenina”

Perfection is an Instagram feed. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, embrace what you do have—and be proud of it. Life is one big beautiful mess.

3. Push yourself

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”—Paulo Coelho

They say life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Why not dare to do something different in 2017? Try a new exercise class like yoga, spinning or flyweight boxing. Join a marathon for the first time. Enroll in that digital marketing course you’ve always wanted to try. Buy a puppy.

4. Start new

“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and reimagines the world.”—Malcolm Gladwell

Broken relationship, fired from a job, stuck in a life crisis? Every ending is the perfect opportunity to learn a new lesson and better yourself. Start a new chapter for 2017.

5. Face critics

“To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”—Elbert Hubbard

It takes courage to acknowledge you were in the wrong and say sorry to just one person. Seek forgiveness from those you might have hurt and heal broken relationships.

6. Unplug

“The more ways we have to connect, the more many of us seem desperate to unplug.”—Pico Iyer

Have you ever seen a family eating together in a restaurant, yet all of them are looking down at their phones? It takes courage to put down that phone and engage in conversation with those around you. Be in the moment. That’s why today is the present —it’s a gift.