An integral part of living your vision is taking stock of where you are on the heroine/hero’s quest. The new year is a great time to do this; to look back assess your growth and make decisions about how you want to move forward. I like to take some time out around the end of the year to do this. I looked at what I had set out to accomplish in 2012 and took stock of losses and gains. I made some interesting discoveries. At the start of 2012 I predicted that it was going to be a big year. (View my 2011 New Year’s Eve Message from Key Largo to see what I mean.) Well it turns out that 2012 was a big year but I could not predict in which ways it was going to be big. It was in many ways a quiet yet powerful year with many losses and gains.
I had also set some rather lofty goals for 2012. In reviewing them I can say I accomplished some, not all and to lesser or greater extends than hoped for but one big change in 2012 was that the accomplishment of goals became less important and the energy and intention with which I worked became more important. This I see as a very positive gain. It also turns out that the loses, that were considerable, provided great lessons for me. While many of the losses caused great grief there was also cleansing around these loses. Nothing was wasted.
I see 2012 as a time of clearing. While in 2010 and 2011 I had been more focused outward (think of tree branches and fruit) 2012 was more about working on an inner level (the roots). When trying to decide what goals to focus on in 2013 I decided to add no new goals but to continue to work on those of 2012 in the way that I came to learn; easy doing it but doing it, working with balance and self compassion.
During my couple of days of reflection and assessment I also took a trip to see one of my teachers, Ken Yamaguchi-Clark a Buddhist teacher and body worker. My session with him helped bring clarity and more cleansing. Finally on the 31st of December I did a little ritual to help me transition from the past year to this new one. I wrapped up my journaling by the fire then burned a list of things I wished to be rid of. I found these exercises most illuminating and that’s why I’m sharing them with you. It’s not too late to take stock of the past year and look toward this year to decide what you want to bring with you from the past and what you want to leave behind.
Give these exercises a try:
1) Take some time to reflect on the past year making a list of losses and gains (this can be on any level) pay attention to what you learned from these experiences and journal about it.
2) Look at your goals from last year and assess how you did (remember to be compassionate with yourself) noticing where you might have been unrealistic and where you could have done more.
3) Make a list of what you want to focus on in this year. This can include goals and may also just mean what behaviors and thoughts you want to continue from the past year.
4) Make a list of things you want to/are ready to let go of then write them on a piece of paper. Either burn or bury this list with a prayer to help you to release them. On my list were states of mind and self defeating patterns.
Feel free to drop me a line with these exercises or any end of year/beginning of new year exercises you find helpful.
Much Continued Success & Well Being,
Nicole
P.S. If you are a woman pursuing your Vision on the Heroine’s Quest join our tribe at the Vision Quest Retreats face book page
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