Today's Topic: Complete Your Year From The Inside-Out
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
-
William Arthur Ward
Dear
friends,
It has
been a great pleasure and privilege to write this newsletter over
the past year. And when I hear from you that something I’ve
written has touched you or given you something to ponder, I am very
gratified.
So thank-you
for your feed-back and the gift of your time and thoughts –
I love to hear from you!
I wish
you many wonderful moments of relaxation, fun and warm connections
this holiday season. I hope you take some time to count your blessings
and release any disappointments from the past year. If you’d
like some help to do so, read on.
Happy
Holidays,
Shirley
Once
Christmas preparations are over, I invite you to take time to savour,
celebrate and complete the past year. If your year has been a great
success, you are probably ready to kick back and celebrate. If your
year has held adversity or disappointments, you may not be feeling
wonderful as it ends. In either case, it can be very helpful to complete
the year past, before starting the new one.
What
does it mean to “complete” the year? Completion describes
an inner state of feeling at peace –- there is a sense of resolution,
closure and fulfillment. When we are complete with something, there
is no longer any emotional charge on it. We’re fine with the
way things are.
Completing the past year is a powerful way to "clean the slate"
before starting the creation and visioning of a new year. If we're
operating over top of unresolved feelings regarding the past, we feel
resistance to beginning something new. When we are complete with what
has gone before, it is very easy, spontaneous and natural to start
creating the future. We don’t have to work at it.
Here’s
a three step process for reviewing and completing the year:
1.
Review what transpired. |
Some
people can remember their year in vivid detail. For others it’s
a blur.
If you want to refresh your memory on what actually happened over
the past year you can do one of the following:
•
Write a little narrative of what happened during the year, starting
in January.
• Review your journal for the year.
• Review your calendar/appointment book to remind yourself of
everything you did.
2.
Reflect on your wins, disappointments and growth. |
Use
the following questions to do some written reflection:
• What were the major events/turning points in the past year?
• Do I
have any unmet goals or failed expectations for the year? (Think
about all areas of your life: work, relationships, health, finances,
creativity, recreation, etc.) *This question is VERY important if
you’re feeling discouraged about not meeting your goals for
the year. Disappointments can eclipse any wins, so you will want
to clear these out first.
• What
have been my wins and accomplishments this year? (Again, look into
all areas of your life, as above.
• In
what ways have I grown this year?
• What
were my most joyous moments?
• What
do I want to release/let go of/ leave behind from the past year?
• Is there
anyone or anything it would help me to forgive? (including myself)
•
What do I want to give thanks for at this point in my life?
3.
Share your reflections with someone supportive. |
Get
together with a trusted friend or partner and share your thoughts
and reflections on the year. Invite them to do the same. Sharing
our wins and our disappointments can help us to arrive at a place
of peace, gratitude and completion. Ready for the new!
I love
to support singles in finding the relationship they desire. Contact
me about the new and improved Conscious Dating Self-Discovery and
Readiness Program. This comprehensive program can help you avoid
past mistakes and give you the tools for making pro-active and healthy
choices in dating and finding love.
Shirley
Vollett BSW PCC is a Life and Relationship Coach, with over 20 years
of combined experience in counselling and coaching. She delights in
helping pro-active individuals make positive changes in their lives,
their work/business and their relationships. Her clients appreciate
her ability to listen deeply, her compassionate wisdom and her support
in staying focused. Contact Shirley for a complimentary intro phone
session. If you are experiencing a challenge or are eager to make
some changes, explore how coaching works and how she can help. Click
on a link below or visit her website at http://shirley.vollett.com
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This
newsletter may be forwarded in full without special permission provided
it is used for nonprofit purposes and full attribution and copyright
notice are given. For any other purposes, contact shirley@vollett.com.
Copyright
© 2009 by Shirley Vollett. All rights reserved.
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