Month: December 2014

How does [what you wrote on 1 December on the first day of Reverb14] compare to where you are now i.e. what can you say today with certainty?

I’m still ready for big changes, but I’m also more certain today that I’m ready to face 2015 with a new sense of resolve. I chose the word “nurture” to guide me through 2015, and I’ve noticed patterns in my Reverb14 responses that indicate I certainly need nurturing and nourishing. The thread ran all the way through straight to the very last day, and I’m pleased with the last three weeks of reflection and dreaming. I still don’t know what direction I’ll be taking, but I do know for certain that I’m going to cultivate a life worth loving.

Then, without thinking too hard about it, grab a pen and some paper and finish the following sentences:

In 2015, I am open to… changes. I am open to the possibilities that will unfold before me. I am open to ideas that may not yet be known to me.
In 2015, I want to feel… safe, loved, and nurtured. I want to feel that life is beautiful once again and unafraid of what’s next.
In 2015, I will say no to… living in fear. I will say no to compromising myself when I know full well I can’t nurture others unless I’ve nurtured myself.
In 2015, I will know I am on the right track when… I wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Good habits will feel natural, and I will see the happiness reflected in the faces of my children.
But when I find myself veering off course, I will gently but firmly… remind myself of all I have overcome. I certainly have the strength and ability to overcome so much, and there’s no reason to revert to fear, anxiety, worry, and depression.
In December 2015, I want to look back and say… I have accomplished my intentions of nurturing myself and my loved ones. I want to look back and say that I followed my heart and my dreams, that I found my path once again.

How could you make space for joy in the year to come? How could you protect it?

I had to snoop around a bit before really pondering this question today. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. Then I realized something — I once had a daily practice that made space and protected my joy! When everything crumbled, my daily practice of gratitude and happiness fell with it all. I haven’t made the time to sit and write my lists. I use little notebooks to write out my concerns, just to get them off my mind for the moment; then I write a list of 5 things I’m grateful for; then I write a list of 5 things I accomplished, no matter how big or small; and finally I write a list of 5 things that make me happy. Once I’ve completed this practice, I feel happier and lighter. Even if I turn the corner to find something unpleasant, I’ve at least given myself the opportunity to count my blessings and bring myself joy. Also, I used to publish weekly Thankful Thursday posts. That practice, too, has fallen to the wayside in favor of all those urgent matters. If you’re familiar with Steven Covey and his four quadrants, basically I was spending a lot more time in quadrants 1 and 3. When I was done with those, all I could muster was the strength to goof off in quadrant 4. That magical quadrant 2 is where the lists and posts come into play. It’s time to stop worrying so much and goofing off. It’s time to quit sabotaging myself and start nurturing myself and my joy.

In 2015, I intend to reinforce my gratitude and happiness practices. This is a natural progression from the intention to pen in more time to nourish myself. You see, I just completed a free e-course that helped me flesh out my word for 2015, and I choose nurture. Or maybe it choose me. Either way, everything is falling back into place, and it’s time to nurture myself and get my life back.

What nourishes your soul? How would you like to incorporate more of this into your life in 2015?

Quite a few things nourish my soul, most of which I don’t incorporate into my life nearly enough. I think my very best option right now is to purchase my 2015 planner with the intention of penning in times for me to incorporate some soul nourishment — yes, with pen, permanent ink. I would like to see myself preparing a healthy, filling breakfast that keeps me going well into the morning. I would like to see myself stretching to maintain my flexibility and exercising to maintain (or even increase) my strength and stamina. I would like to see myself writing my pages and lists daily once again. I would like to see myself having fun — coloring, lounging, baking, cooking, playing games with the family, and so on. I’m actually a very simple girl with very simple needs that are easily met. I just don’t focus on those needs as much as I should. And if I don’t nourish my soul — and put on that proverbial oxygen mask — there really won’t be much of a me to nourish others. I know I have four other lives that depend heavily on me for nourishment, therefore I need to nourish myself so I’m fulfilled.