This week I spent a lot of time in a hotel room with a rambunctious 2-year-old and in between chasing him around and trying to keep him entertained, I spent some time reflecting on this past year and thinking of the new year ahead. This week I am grateful for reflection and new beginnings.
At the end of each year I tend to think back to the past 12 months and reflect on how far I have come. I like to think about the challenges I have made it through and my accomplishments. This past year has been one of many ups and downs, yet as the year is coming to a close I have found most of my growth has occurred in the last 2 months or so. I don’t know exactly why that is, but I am glad that I have grown and changed this past year the way I have. I have found that I am more patient with changes in everyday life and am more open to the flow of life, both very important areas of growth for me personally. All in all it has made for a more peaceful end to the year and takes me to my next gratitude item.
At the end of each year after I reflect on the past year, I also look forward to the year ahead. I like to think about the things I want to change and new goals for the year ahead. I like to dream and dream big. Last year I decided to put together a dream board for 2012. I put together pictures and words that I looked at everyday in an attempt to fit my year together like a puzzle. Things I wanted more of in my life, accomplishments I wanted to achieve, and even more general items were depicted on my dream board and I can honestly say it gave me a lot of motivation for the year ahead. I haven’t decided how I will dream big for 2013 and whether I will make another dream board or not, but I will definitely spend some time as this year comes to a close thinking of the newness that lies ahead.
Some believe that today was to be the end of the world and while I never believed that to be true, I do believe we are at a point in history that is important for all of us. We are at a point of transition. A transition from fear, hate, and separation to love and co-creation. I hope that each and every one of us will take some time to reflect on what we can do to work together to make this world a better place, to reach out and co-create a world of peace and love together as one. I read a quote today that I love so much and thought I would share it here.
“The lamps are different, But the light is the same.” Rumi May we move into 2013 with a sense of knowing that we hold within us the same light and love to change the world. What will you do to change the world?
I find that I tend to experience greater growth in the periods in which I am blogging most regularly. I think it has something to do with the intentional, regular practice of reflection. I don’t know if that’s also the case for you, but it does seem like your perception of more intense growth corresponds to the time since you have started this blog. Regardless of the cause, though, congratulations on the growth! It such an amazing feeling to reflect back and see the changes, isn’t it? I’m so glad you are sharing your journey here.
KJ,
Thanks for that insight. I honestly didn’t see the correlation, but you might be right. I think I am looking at life a bit differently and being able to use my blog as reflection on it makes all the difference.
Thank you for being the inspiration for me to begin my blogging journey again. It was by reading your blog that I found the courage to do it again.
Thank you! Being an inspiration for your return to blogging is one of the highest compliments I can imagine! 🙂