Find the gold in your year and nurture yourself with appreciation
Can you feel the pulse of our society changing? I really enjoy this time of year when the push to productivity settles, and a more ‘footloose and fancy’ feeling moves in. While the sunlight intensifies, and my body melts more into relaxation, I find this time of year the perfect opportunity to take stock of my year and myself and sift out the gold I have received. By capturing what I have learnt in the year, and reflecting on what I am needing, I can create an intention for myself for the coming year.
I noticed a sense of exhaustion as I moved into 2020 and so created an intention to simplify, rest in awareness, and pare back. An undertone of exhaustion has continued at varying intensities throughout the year which has guided me to remain attuned to what my body is feeling and needing. I have become more accepting of downtime, yin time, doing less, slowness. I have learnt to honestly evaluate what I can realistically achieve and to be discerning in acting only on the things that matter. Along the way I have discovered underlying patterns and grievances that my body has needed to release. I am very grateful for my Kinesiologist - Sahaja Springer for all her support with this.
In keeping with my intention for the year, I allocated more space for time off work and the pandemic took that to another level by giving me a month of lock down. I was able to have more time to indulge in simple pleasures such as dancing, cooking and reading. I picked up a book that I had put down when I became busy with publishing my own book Melting Moments. In this book Women Who Run With The Wolves, the author Clarissa Pinkola Estes discusses the 7 year life cycles that women traverse. Upon learning that I had just entered the cycle of ‘finding the far encampment’, suddenly everything made sense and I felt a big exhale in the honouring of my soul’s journey at this point. I have learnt to take the pressure off myself, take on less, and love that part of myself that enjoys quiet time, resting, dreaming, imagining.
Something else I had decided for myself for this year was to cut out criticisms. I was amazed at how habitual this can be. Sometimes they get past the keeper, and I have said things I regret, and sometimes they continue to cycle around in my head. Yet, on many occasions I have been able to take a second look and see through the eyes of love and appreciation instead. For example when my husband says he is going to clean the house and all I see is him sweep the floor in one room of the house, I look again and see that his notion to clean the house is an act of love for me, because I know that he couldn’t care less if the house was clean or not and probably does not see the dirty bath, sink, windows, mirrors and carpets.
Despite this year having so many challenges on a global level, I have never felt so much appreciation. It randomly pops into my heart and ripples up to my mind, as I am reminded of just how much love and beauty there is when I am truly present and resting in awareness. When centred in my own heart and my own life, the views are marvellous.
Appreciation forms an important part of my Kinesiology consultations with my clients. It is the perfect bolster for the heart and spirit. It is an invitation for more of those heart warming things to enter our lives. Appreciation fosters our connection with all that is good, reminding us of the reward in our spiritual connection and relationship with self and others. Giving appreciation to someone else is a delightful gift that can light them up, and inspire the good in them.
Neurologically, appreciation is like fertiiser for neural connections. Blocks in appreciation affects brain integration, and the ability for the left and right brain to be to work together to facilitate processing of sensory and intellectual information. When these kinds of blocks are cleared, it helps us to make sense of our experiences and respond appropriately. This kind of coherent brain function lowers stress levels and lifts our mood.
On this note, I invite you to create your own memoirs of appreciation. Extract the gems and gold you have received from the year. Sift through the experiences that you have grown from, and set your intentions to sail through the coming year like a captain.
Blessings to your good health and to all the goodness you have received this year. I hope you find your own silver linings and can feed yourself with appreciation and in turn choose and attract more of the goodness for your coming year.
These were the things from this year that I appreciated:
Publishing my book, Melting Moments, the delectable art of nourishing your soul.
For over 12 years, it has been a dream of mine to publish this book.
Thanks goes to everyone at ‘Ocean Reeve Publishing’ as well as friends and family involved in the process - from editing, all the way through to my book launch and continuing sales. It is no mistake that it was this year that my book was published, given that the purpose of this book was to nurture and support people in the dark times and melt downs in life.
Improvements in my relationship with technology.
Time on the computer with Zoom and video conference calls is not such a bad thing when it is the only way of connecting with friends and family.
My online booking system has saved me a lot of time and energy in scheduling, rescheduling and reminders for appointments. Thank you everyone who is using this system. I hope it has been just as convenient for you all.
I was introduced to ‘The Healy’, a frequency device which has been very supportive for my physical health and wellbeing. I have found it great for balancing my hormones and digestive functions. My energy levels have picked up and I have felt more resilient to environmental stressors, electromagnetics, and witnessing other’s trauma and grief.
The many beautiful places in nature that we have had access to.
Nature is my ‘go-to’ for wisdom, inspiration and healing. It is the perfect place for stress relief, rejuvenation and a reset. It reminds me to breathe deeply and be present to the beauty and wonder in the world. Nature’s reflections have an inspiring wisdom that supports me in staying connected with the rhythms and cycles of life.
When the New Year comes, I will be sitting in nature and divining what my intention will be for the coming year.
If you are curious to hear more about anything from this blog, I would love to chat with you and connect in a way that can bring some illumination for what your beautiful body and soul requires.
Soul Nurturing blessings to you for 2021.