As the seasons change and the Thanksgiving holiday approaches in the US, there is a collective focus on acknowledging and giving thanks for what has been received. It is a wonderful opportunity to set aside physical time to reflect upon your year. Remember: giving voice to your changes helps integrate them more fully into your life. The tradition of sharing something you feel thankful for at the Thanksgiving celebration may have more to offer than you realized! There are always new dimensions to uncover and sharing can bring that forward for you.
Contained within the act of reflection is the space to allow something new to rise to the surface. Don’t rush this. Notice what pops into your awareness right away. Then pay attention to the thoughts that linger in the corners. Were there any opportunities that you missed? Reflection isn’t passive. You choose what has importance by the kind of thoughts you have about something. If there is a situation that was not to your liking, perhaps a change that caused disturbance, look for the ways in which your boundaries were stretched, where your perceptions shifted or when you embarked on a new direction.
As you reflect upon your changes so far this year, notice how you are different. What do you appreciate about who you are today?
Take Time Now
Take a breath. Release it. Take another. Devote some dedicated time of concentration/meditation. It doesn’t need to be hours of quiet, perhaps only 15 minutes. Then allow the question to simmer within you through the weekend. Let responses bubble up into your awareness. Notice new ways of thinking, of images or ideas that arise spontaneously. Pay attention to your dreams. Let it happen. Be aware. See where it leads you next. Let yourself savor this process of receiving from yourself. Don’t judge whatever comes up, just receive it. Make notes.
You may want to share something from this process. Sharing can be an important way to anchor an insight in your body. It can lead you to deeper insight. It can stimulate action. Feel free to use this arena to share what moves you, or find a friend and share with one another!
2 Responses
In reflecting back on the year, it feels to me like last year happened in order to help me move from the past into the future.
Last Thanksgiving, I had one grandson now I have two. Their futures look bright. Last year I had several jobs doing the same thing I have done for over twenty years. This year I changed my career focus and started a new career. That career change has energized me and forced me to do things that did not seem comfortable. This brought new energy to my life. I really look forward to seeing where this career change leads me.
Some things feel comfortably the same, same wife, same family, and same friends. Although there are additions, the core of my family and friends is blessedly the same as it was over the past year.
So, some things have changed and other things have not changed. The life that I lived last year has prepared me for further changes. At the same time, I am able to acknowledge the wonderful sameness of life. I feel enriched from the last year, and so look forward to the coming year.
Roy–So beautifully expressed! I love the “wonderful sameness” and all that acknowledges, while feeling the ways in which your life changes are preparing you for more.
Laurie