However you chose to spend the last eve of the year, I hope it felt supportive. Or if it didn't, I hope these first days of this new year, will bring the support you desire and choose. I chose to have a a very quiet new years eve. It was a day well spent with family and we had a picnic and went to a movie. I hadn't been to a cinema for so long, it was a such a fun experience. There is so much to be said for the experiences we choose to invest in, especially with other people. Doing things with others and together, brings so much joy and meaning to our lives. This new years eve, I spent a quiet night at home. I was a little hesitant how I'd feel at the close of this year, to be honest. There was so much hype around this next decade. I wanted to just have some quiet space to reflect and to take it all in. I didn't feel like going to a party or being in a place with lots of people and lots of noise.
As I do in many ways in my life, I asked myself, what do I most need, and what will feel most supportive for me and why. So I chose to have space at home, to read, to play some music, and to write. It felt peaceful. I wrote pages of reflections of the past year. I wrote myself some really powerful questions. The kinds of questions I love to ask others. Like - Where did my heart feel most open. Where did my heart feel closed. Where did I feel most challenged and how did I respond to that, or change through that. How did I turn something I felt limited by into something of strength. What things reminded me of my power within. What were some of the smallest things I did that created the biggest change. What things or people or places or words most lifted my spirit. What did I let go of and how did it feel to do that, and now. What did I say yes to, and how did that feel. What were my greatest choices and how have I grown through these. What did I think I could have done differently or seen in a different way. What am I most proud of ... I kept asking, and enquiring, and writing into it all and more. Most importantly, writing into my honest answers of 'why'. Why I felt this way, why that experience changed me, why I felt opened or closed, why my lessons from that person or that experience were so valuable, why I found something triggering or challenging. As well as my own awareness and actions I had taken, or might now choose to take, moving forward. I always focus and set my heart intention on all the ways I can choose to move forward. Through anything, and often because of everything. It's a very conscious and mindful and determined way of embracing this life, at times, and I've often surprised myself in ways I've been able to do this. But with eyes that look ahead, with a heart wide open, I have an unwaivering belief, in always choosing to move forward. As I kept writing, I felt all the feelings and emotions. I let it all flow. I embraced it all. I closed the chapters that needed to be closed. I held visions for new beginnings. And I realised through my reflections that I had no regrets. I had things I could have done differently. I had times I might have chosen a different way. But the way I have managed and succeeded in my own way, through all the ups and downs of the year, I felt proud. And it felt such a significant shift to realise this, and to really acknowledge this, within myself. It's a very powerful thing to be and to live in a way where we have no regrets. I think it's a huge part of self awareness, it's a huge part of living an authentic life, and just being true to oneself. This is how growth keeps continuining. Or transformation, if that's a word and feeling that resonates for you. We enquire, we reflect, we become even more self aware, we ask, we go deeper, and we discover all the ways we can choose what feels supportive and right and true for us, moving forward. And then I wrote three emails. I wrote a thank you email to three people who have deeply impacted my heart and my life this past year. Why? Because saying thank you is not only for the person receiving, there's an opening in our own hearts, when we express our gratitude. To me, it felt the most supportive way to close the year, through expressing my gratitude. And these three people came to my mind as I was reflecting on all that I had moved through this year. And they weren't short emails. They weren't just a 'thank you'. I went deeper than that. And I'll be honest, it felt quite bold and brave, and even a little vulnerable. As only one of these people, I know. And whilst I know her, it's still a vulnerable thing to share emotions about changes in our lives, at times. The other two people, I don't know at all, and they may not even read my email. I may land in their 'other' inbox or never reach them at all. But I don't mind about that. It was my heart behind the intention that matters. All three of these people, I have literally devoured their words, taken in everything they've written or spoken about, listened to their podcasts or read their books or any blog post they've shared, opened every single email, clicked on all their suggested links or actions to take, and even if I haven't agreed with all that they've said, I've liked them even more for this difference and the way they've challenged my thinking, and I've still kept leaning in and wanting to know more. The impact of someone's words can be huge. One question can change and shift so much. One sentence can be profound. One conversation can be the difference between where you see yourself right now and where you can see yourself moving forward. It's what I discovered over 15 years ago now, when I first started working with clients. And my awareness of the impact of our words and what and how we share, has only grown stronger. Even more so, just this past year. So, I sent these emails and I said thank you to each of them, for their unique and personal ways they have impacted my heart and my life. And I told them why. I even went into detail with one email, about how one insight they shared had changed me - the action I had taken, what it created for me by doing so, in such a powerful way. That was a valuable and reflective process in itself, to express myself and my truth so openly. Taking bold steps, even in just writing emails, reaching out and connecting, can remind us of our own self confidence and belief. And then, what felt really important for me, was asking them to simply receive my words, with no expectation of any reply. I just wanted to acknowledge them and express my appreciation and gratitude. And I closed each email with this request. As to me, this speaks a lot about gratitude and the power of saying thank you. It's something I naturally do, say thank you. But I know it doesn't come easily to us all. It's undervalued perhaps, or we just forget, or we receive so much information these days over social media and emails, that we take it all in, and don't think to click reply to something we read. I've always been that person who replies to emails. I'm always so delighted when someone replies to mine. It's a beautiful reminder that the impact of words to just one person can mean so much. Thank you is such a beautiful part of wellbeing. Wellbeing for ourselves by our actions in giving, and wellbeing for others, to receive. Letting someone know the impact they've had in some small or big way. Showing appreciation and gratitude with no expectaion or want of anything in return. There's a powerful energy with this, perhaps even more so now too, in a world where we need more of all the good things. More support, more compassion, more gratitude, more acknowledgement, more heart centered and honest conversations, more speaking our truth, and more kindness - they're all so essential for our wellbeing. So, my support and encouragement to you is - who might you say thank you to. When did you last thank someone. Who did you last email to just say thank you or I really appreciated this, or I loved reading this, or a note to let someone know they impacted your heart in some small or big way. And it doesn't have to be someone you know. It can be a stranger. It can be someone who has thousands of followers. But sometimes, it might be your best friend, or your husband, or your father or a colleage at work. Imagine if every meeting started and ended with thanking one another. I believe in the collective energy that connects us all. And we can choose to add to the beauty of that, through our choices and our actions. Sending those three emails was the most meaningful close to my year. Along with messages and phone calls and emails to people in my life to wish them and their families a joyful new year. I love doing this. Even when things have felt hard at times, I love doing this even more. So, wherever this finds you, however you are feeling, I wish you a supportive, restful and peaceful time of year. And if you've read right to the end of this, I thank you for doing so! and I thank you for being here. With love, x Katie ps. If you'd like to receive my 'Letters of Support' then click on the link below to receive these as well as download my free ebook. I'm launching my new podcast soon - A Well Being - and you'll be first to hear about a special offer I have, to celebrate this new beginning x https://www.katiejanewellness.com/resources.html
2 Comments
Renee Jones
1/10/2020 12:46:11 pm
Thank you! Thank you for this post, your words resonate 💖 I feel such calm and wisdom in your words... I love your reflection!
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AuthorKatie Jane is a Holistic Therapist, Life Coach, Health Coach, Nutritionist, Naturopath, Meditation teacher, writer and author. Katie has been working in the wellness industry for over 15 years, in private practice and online, and brings all of these qualifications and skills, along with her own lived experiences through challenges, changes and transitions. Her approach to life and wellbeing is truly holistic and unique for each individual. She supports and coaches clients to make powerful changes, to feel calm through uncertainty and change, to embrace self care as a way of being, and to thrive through life transitions. |