End of Year – Inspire Love Serve

December 29, 2021

Blessings Bloom

“The most valuable possession you can have is an open heart.” Carlos Santana

Wow! Here we are, at the end of yet another tumultuous year! Where did you go, 2021?

If there is anything that 2020 and 2021 have taught us as a collective, is that life is messy! I believe that to really feel and live the messy, human experience, we have to enjoy the beauty in the mess. Find the joy. Keep an open heart. Looks for ways to expand. Love hard. Love deeply. Spread the love, and find the blessings that are always blooming around us.

This time last year, we were all faced with looking back at a year that brought with it collective grief, loss, violence, trauma and heartbreak. This time last year the general sentiment was that we needed 2021 to be filled with hope, kindness, compassion, empathy, peace, unity, community, reverence and respect for all of humanity and, above all, LOVE. After the cards 2020 dealt us, we were ready for some BIG changes.

How was 2021 for you? Did you experience any big changes or shifts? How did you show up for your Self and others? How did others show up for you? Did you find yourself re-evaluating relationships and the value, or lack thereof, that people bring to your life? Did you intentionally make any big changes in your life? Did you set a goal or have a vision for 2021? Did you have a particular word for the year? Do you have a vision or a word for 2022?

For me personally, 2021 flew by in a heartbeat!!! I feel like I was so much more productive in 2020. However, I did feel more present, expansive, resourced, rooted and rested than ever before. I made rest and honoring my body a huge priority starting January 2021 since I knew I was going to have one of my knees replaced. My focus was keeping my nervous system regulated and in rest and digest mode. A necessary part of that was also keeping fear mongers at bay and not operating from the matrix of fear.

I think what also helped was that my word for the year in 2021 was REVERENCE….for all things and all beings. Feeling deeply became a practice as did finding the blessing no matter how messy life got.

I feel that I dedicated my time to what and who mattered most and balanced play with rest. With reverence as my guide, I was very intentional and discerning with how, what, where and with whom to expend my energy- especially given the energy I would need to have for the months following my surgery.

Choosing reverence as my word for 2021 came on the heals of discernment and intention (words for the two years prior). In my estimation, they are a perfect trifecta. And that trifecta is made even sweeter by bringing in the rest piece. If you missed my August blog titled, The Power of Resting Radiantly, you may want to check it out.

See, the thing about being fully rested is that it allows us to be present, intentional, discerning and in a space where we see blessings bloom…..and being able to find, and even enjoy, the blessings in the mess. Let’s face it, we make better decisions in all areas of our lives when we are rested. We are better equipped to deal with the messy aspect of our lives. Heck, we are even able to feel the gratitude those moments present regardless of how challenging they may be.

The most magical thing about being fully rested is our connection to the Divine. Our intuition is sharpened, we can feel and sense the downloads happening and the ways inspiration and guidance are presenting themselves. We are more awake and open to life’s synchronicities and are more present in our daily interactions. More importantly though, I feel that we are better able to get out of our heads and drop into our hearts. In doing so, we approach life, people, circumstances and just about everything else with an open heart.

In dropping into my heart center, I think my word for this next year may be either connection or integration. Exploring all sorts of connections and keeping an open heart to what lays ahead, what may show up, and the blessings that bloom around it all. Sometimes making connections also involves reflecting back on where we’ve been and how we got to where we are. A little self-inquiry can help guide the way.

Being able to integrate all of it is also a work in progress and a determining factor as to how we proceed and how we show up for this human experience. Who says I can’t choose 2 words….wink, wink!?!?!

A self-inquiry process allows us to have or establish a vision of where we want to go, where we want to be either personally or professionally, what we need to change or refine and further identify things, people, situations or circumstances that are no longer serving our highest good. These, too, are blessings!

What are some blessings you would like to see bloom in 2022?

What are some of the practices that would support YOUR physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health?

As we bring 2021 to a close, I will leave you with some lovely affirmations from Yoga with Kassandra that will help support you and your practices as you venture into a new year. May they serve you well and, as the saying goes, take what you need and leave the rest!

I treat my body with love and respect

I allow all parts of me to be expressed.

In this moment I release all thoughts and worry.

When challenges arise, I stay anchored in hope.

I allow myself to slow down and rest.

My self-esteem is growing day by day.

I send healing energy to all parts of my body.

Darlings, I thank you for support, comments, feedback and for taking the time to read my blogs. May 2022 bring you all sorts of abundant blessings, and may you have the clarity, calm and ease to receive them- even if they come disguised as challenges.

Just remember, an open heart is our most valuable possession! JTC

December 15, 2019

End of Year Inspiration

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker

Greetings, my darlings!

Can you believe it’s but a mere couple of weeks before the end of yet another year? I can’t believe that 2020 is right around the corner! When I was growing up, the year 2020 seemed like ages away and, now, here it is!

This is the time of year known for reflecting and setting intentions for yet the start of another year. We look at others for inspiration, maybe at our elders or role models for some motivation and hit the books, podcasts, webinars and who knows what else for some added enlightenment. We journal, make vision boards, write affirmations and create a vision for what or whom we want to grow into as we continue our evolution on this planet.

Throughout our lives, we tend to find ourselves emulating some of those role models, people we know/don’t know, and perhaps even some of our peers, colleagues and esteemed friends. It’s just something about them that strikes us and lights a fire under us. We want to be just like them!

One thing we tend not to look at though, is how many of those same people are emulating us (including ones we may not even know but see in passing). Just think about that for a moment…do you know how powerful you truly are?

I’ve always said that we really never know how many people’s lives we touch and how exponential our influence can be. As we become older and wiser, we tend to better understand the impact and the scope of such influence. Perhaps we get more serious about the choices we make, seek out opportunities to exercise our leadership skills, find ways we can be of service and make a difference and maybe even lend our voices to those who cannot use their own.

There comes a point where we align ourselves and our thoughts, views, speech, actions and intentions with our values and beliefs, so that we can uphold and be the embodiment of those same beliefs and values. In doing so, we become a source of inspiration, motivation or consolation for others. As a result, we may continuously find ourselves looking for ways to keep ourselves in check.

A good way for me to keep myself in check is journaling…..about everything! Good, bad and everything in between. However, one of my favorite things to do this time of year is to take a deeper dive and ask myself significant questions. Everywhere we look these days we see questions upon questions designed to help us review, reflect, take stock of the year we are leaving behind and determine how we want to step into a new year.

I’ve been compiling a list of questions to do just that. A few are from past blogs, posts I’ve seen, and others are from conversations I’ve been having lately. I am going to be working on them over the next several days…especially while on the beach! Being by the ocean always puts me in a reflective mood!

I hope you will join me for some end of year inspiration!

Are you living a life you can admire? Explain how or why not.
Is your heart in the right place? If not, why not?
Are you living a life of meaning and purpose?
Are you feeling conflicted in any way? If so, how?
Where are you being unloving to yourself?
Where are you being very loving to yourself?
Are you a peaceful person, or are you filled with rage, regrets, grievances or resentments?
What stories or narratives are you creating around situations and are they helping or sabotaging you?
How can you change the story/narrative?
Who or what disrupts your peace?
Are there any people you need to release from your life? Who are they and why?
Who is someone with whom you need to have a heart to heart conversation?
What were some of your challenges this past year?
What were some of your accomplishments and proud moments?
Do you operate from an open heart or a tightly guarded/closed heart?
How do you express and show your love on a daily basis?
What personal strengths and uniqueness can you share that will contribute and add value to the lives of others?
In what ways are you helping to move humanity forward in your own little corner of the world?
What kind of world do you want to live in?
What role are you playing in healing your own wounds so, that in turn, you are contributing to the collective healing of humanity?

Darlings, I wish you all a merry and happy everything- each and every day of your lives! And may you find joy even in some of the saddest moments that may arise. May you carve some time to sit with your thoughts, recollections of this past year, and find ways to continue to be a light in your own corner of the world. Now go out there and touch lives in unimaginable ways!

As one of my yoga teacher friend says, “May you be blessed, and may you continue being a blessing!

Inhale Love and Light…Exhale Grace and Gratitude, JTC

December 31, 2018December 31, 2018

A New Year’s Practice

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

It’s the last day of 2018, and I am looking forward to some of my end of year rituals. I already cleaned my apartment, from top to bottom, did all the laundry, emptied the garbage and am currently washing my bedding as I write . With the exception of some throws and pillows, all that’s left to clean is my bathroom… and get rid of any added garbage.

My intentions are to skip the yoga studio this morning and do my last, home practice of 2018. In addition to yoga and meditation, I will spend some time journaling and perhaps even empty my blessings jar and read all of the things I wrote throughout 2018. Afterwards, I will take myself to lunch and pick up some fresh flowers along the way.

I am not the one for New Year’s Eve parties and staying out till some ungodly hour of the morning. As the saying goes, “Been there, done that.” Instead, I like to spend my evening reflecting, journaling, and perhaps doing a guided meditation. This will be my second year going to a friend’s yoga studio for a New Year’s Eve practice from 7 to 9 PM. That most definitely works for me because I am home with plenty of time to light some candles, burn some incense, soak in the tub, and do my evening practices. Oh, and my 12 grapes are already washed and ready for midnight!

Doing some sort of reflection at the end of the year, setting an intention or goals for the following year, or perhaps even working on a vision board are lovely ways to ring in the new year. Why? Because as the quote at the beginning of this blog stated: You yourself, as much is anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

Pausing, and taking time for ourselves, are the ultimate expressions of self-love and self-care. What practices do you tap into when you find your Self in need of some TLC? Are there any end of year practices you especially enjoy doing to usher in a new year? Is there a particular ritual or activity you do on the 1st of the year?

My written practice this evening, which I will share with you, comes from Elena Brower’s Practice You Journal. This particular Practice will help us to explore and embody our Self. It will allow us to look at some of our beliefs, labels or assumptions we place on ourselves and perhaps allow us to dismantle or shake them up wherever needed.

There’s nothing like contemplation to shift our perspective. Guided journaling gives a voice to our most unfinished, raw, and passing emotions according to Elena Bower. She further states that journaling allows us to refine our listening, elevate our inner dialogue, meet our deepest self with compassion and love, and amplify the inherent intelligence of our own heart. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely LOVE those words! I feel them stirring deep in my soul.

Below is the beautiful Practice I will be doing later in this evening. I have my space all ready with a few new candles, some sage and palo santo, and a yummy throw in case I get cold. The title of this exercise is Embody.

Begin by taking a moment to sit and get grounded. Place your hands on your thighs, palms down, and begin breathing, deeply and slowly. Breathe audibly at first, then make your breathing increasingly more silent. Sense the weight of your seat, and let your spine rise tall. Feel your self embodied, present and steady.

Let the questions serve as continuing contemplations. Your thoughts will evolve over time, so respect where you are right now, stay steady, and be soft with yourself as you write. Keep these questions close as you might find yourself returning to them time and time again. As you come to know yourself, you may be surprised to see what’s unearthed. Let it out!

How do you define yourself?
Who are you today? Can you note some of the “labels” you’ve placed on yourself, your place in your family, your work, your world?
What are the words you would use to describe your current attitude about your life right now?
What’s the most visceral, urgent need you have right now in order to feel alive, happy, and at home in yourself?

I sense that these four questions will have us traveling inward time and time again, so we best make sure we keep our journals or paper handy. And if journaling isn’t your thing, then by all means color, draw or use graphics to express yourself. The point is to be You!

Also, if you feel like your juices are flowing and want some more journaling prompts, you can reference “End of Year Review & Rituals, which is the blog I wrote December 27, 2017. It contains close to 30 questions from which you can pick and choose. I will most likely be perusing them as well…. wink, wink!

Darlings… May your 2019 be bountiful, blissful and beautiful. May you know peace in your heart, peace in your home and peace in the world. Namaste!

Inhale Love & Light… Exhale Grace and Gratitude, JTC