Why appreciate what has gone by in 2015 ? As 2016 approaches, there are reasons to remember and be grateful for the happy times. Celebrations and holidays come to mind. My mom was in the hospital over the Christmas holidays, so instead of food and presents, we got to talk a bit about 2015 and appreciate her love and support.
The discussion came home in my thoughts an opportunity to identify key joys, learning and growth. Ongoing brain dialogue helped me not brush my growth opportunities under the rug. Bring them out into the light for a good look and some work.
Begin to reset the platform to ratchet up my 2016. Get specific and clear. Update my dream board to help me focus, get concrete about my goals and set up ways to remember and reinforce them. It brought a couple of important questions to ask to the forefront of my mind.
What do we appreciate & say thank you for in our lives? This could be everything or specifics, from the simplest thing to major changes and benefits. Long list of appreciation. Here are 11 items that come to mind
- My family and friends and pets!
- Closer more honest relationship with my husband
- A blog, that is opening my voice
- New learning & skills
- Community in Ayurveda
- Herbal Community
- Snug warm home
- Capacity to grow stronger and more healthy
- My self- care practice
- Deep growing awareness of my own spirit
- Access to Nature
What are the top 10 or 11 things you appreciate in your life in 2015?
Did you make it through a tough transition, connect with your family on a deeper level, go on a fantastic trip, start a new business, and experience unprecedented success? Did you find new strength and cope with a new level of grace? Take a minute to remember, honor and appreciate your fabulous life. Share your successes and appreciation with those you love. Take the time to make the list, and make it an exercise you do with your family. Click this link for some more ideas to bring appreciation front and center in your life.
Where will we focus in 2016?
Just before Christmas, I wrote a blog on optimism. Click this link to take a look. Cultivating optimism is one area I am committed to for 2016. Appreciation and optimism go hand in hand. Hopefully this will allow me to spend less energy on worry and anxiety, and take big steps forward to help myself and others. Here are 6 areas for focus in 2016.
- Be Optimistic in my outlook
- Accept risk as a normal part of life
- Follow Spiritual Guidance
- Appreciate my life and opportunities
- Grow my community
- Seamlessly use and refill my energy stores
What are your areas of growth to focus on this year?
I once asked my mother a source of wisdom and inspiration to me, why she works so tirelessly to help her family, church and community. She gave me a simple answer. “If God gave you abilities he expects you to grow them and use them to help others.”
May we all use this new year to tap into our truth. Let’s all share our light for the good of our community, & anchor optimism and appreciation in our perspective.