“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom”
– Francis Bacon
The New year is here!
Happy 2018!
One of the most powerful ways to move forward in creating your dreams and intentions for the new year is to focus on what you’ve learned, celebrate your wins, and forgive the past.
I find that when I do this, I feel more present, more grounded, more at ease, and most importantly, excited about what’s next.
And, how I begin this process is by finding the stillness, the moments of pause and silence.
When I was a child, I loved New Years. I loved the idea of starting over and that come January 1st, the past was wiped, fresh start.
The older I got, the more life experience under my belt, the more I felt the heaviness of what I did not accomplish, the goals left behind, and the relationships, including the one with myself, that did not feel any better.
In an effort to feel good, I followed what so many “experts” say to do – jump right into creating and manifesting on the goal line. The heaviness did not quite go away.
I found that when I moved past the stillness and straight into goal achievement I was skipping the most important lesson …. MY SOUL LEARNINGS, the reason why my soul had called in those precise let downs and wins.
“Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen – that stillness becomes radiance.”
~ Morgan Freeman.
Soul Learnings is the belief that everything that happens – the good, the bad, and the ugly – happens for my highest good.
We also cannot access our learnings though busyness, noise, and haste.
Seeking the stillness allows us to quiet the mind and stop judging, blaming, and avoiding. Instead, we get in touch with our inner counselor, the part of us that is wise, holds equanimity, and has a higher vision.
From this place we begin to recognize what we learned in the last year with gratitude and grace. We also get to celebrate the wins, something so many of us forget to do.
Forgiving others, not for their sake, but for our own sake. Because in doing so, we create and manifest from a space of compassion, abundance, not scarcity, fear, or angst.
When we practice forgiving ourselves, we remember we are worthy of creating what we truly desire based on authentic alignment not guilt, remorse, or obligation.
Most importantly of all, when we slow down, we give ourselves the chance to ask, “What do I want? What do I really really really want?” from a place of what feels good and what nourishes me and my relationships.
Where to find moments of silence….
- Taking a shower or a bath.
- In the car, arriving home, right before getting out. Or, after dropping off the kids before driving away.
- Morning coffee… sip it slowly.
- Before or after a yoga class.
- Park your car at the furthest point of a parking lot and walk slowly towards your destination.
- Close your eyes. Breathe slowly and deliberately.
- Rather than look at social media, read emails, or play a game, put on a song you love and let your body lead (you may want to put headphones on too).
- Read a book. The Alchemist being one I read every January.
And remember, that even the most beautiful rose bush is pruned and rested before it begins to radiantly flourish again. Below are a few offerings on the making this year the most flourishing and sizzling yet.
Wishing a magical and magnificent 2018,
Jacqueline