I must admit, the end of the year is a bittersweet time for me, filled with a strange mix of sadness and hope. I mourn each year as it passes because I so thoroughly love this life. I don’t like for the years to end. On the other hand, I can’t wait for the New Year to begin! What will it bring?! This life has unfolded for me in the most amazing ways, I never can tell what’s in store!
In this last week of the year, I have committed myself to a 5-day year-end review. Each night, I sit in comfort and silence as I reflect on and review what’s happened, and make notes for my New Year’s resolutions. I don’t take New Year’s resolutions planning lightly, but I don’t take the actual plan very seriously throughout the year. It’s a guideline, based on what I’ve learned in the past, for what I’d like to focus more of my time and attention on. I tune into what makes me feel good, and I strive for more of that. As I am always growing, what makes me feel good is always changing, and the plan is ever-evolving.
Last night I touched on how I invested my time this year. I pulled out my journal and I asked myself, “How did you spend your time this year and how would you like to improve on that?” If you’re interested in doing a year-end review, and you don’t already have a journal, I can’t express the importance of having one! When you’re following the ruminations of the mind without paper, you’re chasing thoughts that are too scattered to truly connect. I don’t believe anything gets solved from thinking. I believe you have to train your brain to allow inspirations and solutions, and those will only come to a quiet, calm mind.
With a journal, your thoughts escape to the page, freeing your mind of the ruminations. After a few minutes of writing, you wouldn’t believe the clarity that falls from the pen to the paper. Many-a-journal session has left me with solutions, insight, and understanding. I always walk away with a more peaceful perspective and a refreshed sense of self.
The question I asked myself left me with over a page of information on how I spent my time this year, and I’m proud of myself for taking care not to waste too many precious moments. A lot of family time, a lot of working on a small business that I love, and a good bit of fun. I am a self-proclaimed “clicker” (an internet-addicted, time-wasting web surfer), and I’ve vowed to try harder to heal that in the coming year.
The second question I asked myself in this entry was, “What am I feeling particularly grateful for and what would I like to grow?” I write “gratitude prayers” in my journal with every entry. For me, that’s what my journal is centered on. I love writing in my comfortable bed, inside my beautiful, warm home knowing that my children are healthy and peacefully sleeping in rooms all around me. My husband is somewhere about the house doing his own thing, and I’m crazy in love and connected to him. I know I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee, a cold sandwich, and a warm shower that day–a few of my favorite things. When I write it all down as a thank-you note, it helps me appreciate and honor this life I’m so in love with.
Last night I realized that the keyword for my New Year is growth. I feel it coming. I’ve spent the last year laying out a pretty solid foundation, and I’m proud of it. The Energy Shop has opened a few doors for me, and I’m excited to see what new doors those doors lead to! I’m growing, and I’m preparing my mind, body, and spirit for the transformation. Tune in tomorrow for the questions for Part 2. Happy Year End Review!
On Love and Life 